Last update Aug. 5, 2017

Spirulina

Likely Compatibility

Fairly safe. Mild or unlikely adverse effects. Compatible under certain circumstances. Follow-up recommended. Read Commentary.

A shred-like cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) that has been cultivated in Mexico and Africa for centuries, and, is commonly used as food for humans and cattle. It is rich in protein, essential fatty acids, carotenoids, mucilage, mineral salts (Iron) and vitamins (A,B,E).

At latest update, relevant published data on excretion into breast milk were not found.

It is an expensive dietary supplemental product with no evidence on the efficacy for those alleged health benefit attributed by manufacturers.

As a measure of safety, it would be recommended the use of products that are free of heavy metal contamination and other type of toxin-containing algae)


See below the information of this related product:

  • Chlorella (Fairly safe. Mild or unlikely adverse effects. Compatible under certain circumstances. Follow-up recommended. Read Commentary.)

Suggestions made at e-lactancia are done by APILAM team of health professionals, and are based on updated scientific publications. It is not intended to replace the relationship you have with your doctor but to compound it. The pharmaceutical industry contraindicates breastfeeding, mistakenly and without scientific reasons, in most of the drug data sheets.

Jose Maria Paricio, Founder & President of APILAM/e-Lactancia

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Thank you for helping to protect and promote breastfeeding.

José María Paricio, founder of e-lactancia.
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Other names

Spirulina is also known as


Spirulina in other languages or writings:

Group

Spirulina belongs to this group or family:

Tradenames

Main tradenames from several countries containing Spirulina in its composition:

List of 13 tradenames

References

  1. MedlinePlus. Spirulina Blue-Green Algae. MedlinePlus Supplements. 2015 Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  2. MedlinePlus. Algas verdiazul (espirulina). MedlinePlus suplementos. 2015 Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  3. EFSA (European Food Safety Authority). Dietary exposure to inorganic arsenic in the European population. EFSA Journal. 2014 Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  4. The Royal Women’s Hospital Victoria Australia. Herbal and Traditional Medicines in Breasfeeding. Fact Sheet. 2013 Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  5. Heussner AH, Mazija L, Fastner J, Dietrich DR. Toxin content and cytotoxicity of algal dietary supplements. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol. 2012 Abstract
  6. Vichi S, Lavorini P, Funari E, Scardala S, Testai E. Contamination by Microcystis and microcystins of blue-green algae food supplements (BGAS) on the Italian market and possible risk for the exposed population. Food Chem Toxicol. 2012 Abstract
  7. Deng R, Chow TJ. Hypolipidemic, antioxidant, and antiinflammatory activities of microalgae Spirulina. Cardiovasc Ther. 2010 Abstract Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  8. Watanabe F. Vitamin B12 sources and bioavailability. Exp Biol Med (Maywood). 2007 Abstract
  9. Dittmann E, Wiegand C. Cyanobacterial toxins--occurrence, biosynthesis and impact on human affairs. Mol Nutr Food Res. 2006 Abstract

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e-lactancia is a resource recommended by La Liga de la Leche de México of Mexico

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