WikiMD is the world's largest medical encyclopedia with
28,745 pages, 4,106,676 edits & 35,539,243 views.
Spirulina
Information about Spirulina
Spirulina is a dietary supplement made from blue-green algae (cyanobacteria: Arthrospira platensis) that is used both as a food and as a medicinal supplement to counteract unintentional weight loss and to ameliorate a variety of medical conditions including attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, allergic rhinitis, hypertension, diabetes, stress, fatigue, anxiety and depression.
Liver safety of Spirulina
Spirulina has been implicated in isolated case reports in causing clinically apparent liver injury, but the role of spirulina as opposed to other herbal components or contaminants has not been shown. Liver injury due to spirulina must be very rare if it occurs at all.
Mechanism of action of Spirulina
Spirulina is a dietary supplement prepared from the biomass of blue-green algae which is rich in protein, vitamins and minerals. Spirulina refers to a large number of photosynthetic eubacterial species belonging to the phylum Cyanobacteria (Arthrospira platensis and maxima). While known as blue-green algae, spirulina it is a prokaryotic, eubacterial species belonging to the phylum Cyanobacteria. Spirulina typically grows in warm open lakes with high alkalinity and can be contaminated with other blue-green algae that produce toxins (microcystins). Spirulina has been used as a food and source of nutrients for centuries by the people of Mexico and Central America but only recently has been prepared as commercial dietary supplements. Spirulina is particularly rich in protein (65% to 70%) as well as vitamins, phycocyanin, beta-carotene, polyunsaturated fatty acids, linolenic acid, calcium and iron. The blue-green pigment phycocyanin accounts for up to 20% of its dry weight and has been proposed to be the active ingredient responsible for its medicinal properties.
Animal studies showed antioxidant properties
In animal experiments, spirulina has demonstrated antioxidant, antiinflammatory and analgesic effects and has been well tolerated without evidence of toxicity even in high doses. There have been limited studies in humans, but it has not been proven to be effective in treating any medical condition.
Side effects of Spirulina
Studies have found it to be safe without significant adverse events.
Herbal and dietary supplements
- Aloe Vera, Ashwagandha, Astragalus, Bilberry, Black Cohosh, Butterbur, Cat's Claw, Cascara, Chaparral, Comfrey, Crofelemer, Echinacea, Ephedra, Fenugreek, Flavocoxid, Garcinia cambogia, Germander, Ginkgo, Ginseng, Greater Celandine, Green Tea, Hoodia, Hops, Horse Chestnut, Hyssop, Kava Kava, Kratom, Lavender, Maca, Margosa Oil, Melatonin, Milk Thistle, Noni, Passionflower, Pennyroyal Oil, Red Yeast Rice, Resveratrol, Saw Palmetto, Senna, Skullcap, Spirulina, St. John's Wort, Turmeric, Usnic Acid, Valerian, Yohimbine
Chinese and Other Asian Herbal Medicines
- Ba Jiao Lian, Bol Gol Zhee, Chi R Yun, Jin Bu Huan, Ma Huang, Sho Saiko To and Dai Saiko To, Shou Wu Pian
Multi-Ingredient Nutritional Supplements
See also Nutritional supplements
Cost and Coupons - Spirulina
- GoodRx compare cost & coupons for Spirulina
- Find the lowest cost of Spirulina
- Search for Coupons for Spirulina
Reviews for Spirulina
Learn more about Spirulina
- Dailymed label info
- Scientific articles
- Drug portal Spirulina
- toxicity info on Spirulina
- FDA Spirulina
Latest research (Pubmed)
External links
WikiMD needs you!
This WikiMD article Spirulina is a stub.
If you are a healthcare professional familiar with the topic Spirulina, or
A subject matter expert or authority on Spirulina, you can help us.
About | Mission | Paid editors welcome!
Spirulina is part of WikiMD's Physician reviewed^ articles available 4free, 4all, 4ever! |
---|
Medicine: Health - Encyclopedia - Topics - Diseases - Cancer - Rare diseases - Random Page Navigation: Drugs - Wellness - Obesity - Diet - Ketogenic diet - W8MD weight loss diet - Editors: Recently Edited Pages - Alphabetical Order - Sponsors - USMLE The content on or accessible through WikiMD is for informational purposes only. WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. ^See full Disclaimers |
Ad. Tired of being overweight?. W8MD's physician weight loss program can HELP* |