IS SPIRULINA SAFE?
Spirulina is an all-natural blue-green microalga that gets its name from the spiraling shape it takes as it grows. It also happens to be one of the most nutrient-dense foods in the world, and one of the most complete sources of protein on the planet. Because of its incredible health-maximizing benefits, it is a popular supplement for those looking to achieve optimum health.
But, many who have never tried this remarkable nutrient source may wonder whether or not there are any spirulina side effects to worry about. Is spirulina safe for consumption? Is there anybody who should not be taking this supplement?
THE SIDE EFFECTS OF SPIRULINA
Hawaiian Spirulina is an all-natural and highly absorbable source of protein, carotenoids, phytonutrients, B-Vitamins, GLA, and essential amino acids. Because it is derived from a naturally occurring algae that is cultivated in a completely BioSecure Zone free of pesticides, herbicides, and GMOs, it does not produce any potentially dangerous side effects.
It is important to note that Hawaiian Spirulina is an extremely pure form of spirulina, and that not all manufacturers of spirulina supplements follow our stringent protocols. Poor quality spirulina often has ingredients and chemical fillers included that may reduce the quality of the product and exacerbate certain side effects.
IS SPIRULINA SAFE FOR EVERYONE?
While high quality spirulina is free of adverse side effects, it does contain iodine, so people who are allergic or sensitive to iodine should avoid taking the supplement. For this same reason, people with hyperparathyroidism should also avoid the supplement.
Those who are highly allergic or extremely sensitive to seafood or seaweed may also want to avoid taking spirulina, and people who are currently running a high fever should wait for the fever to subside before taking spirulina.Diabetics dependent on insulin or people with type 2 diabetes should consult their doctor before taking spirulina. This recommendation also applies to those who have gout or predisposition to have gout.
WHAT ABOUT RADIATION EXPOSURE?
Radiation Exposure and the healing benefits of Spirulina
Spirulina may be of benefit for people concerned with exposure to radiation. Several studies have been done on the use of Spirulina in this area:
- Spirulina reduced urine radioactivity by 50% in only 20 days in children who were exposed to radiation by the Chernobyl nuclear meltdown.
- Subsequently, a Russian patent was awarded for use of Spirulina from improving immunity of children affected by the Chernobyl disaster. Significant improvement was found in immune markers in their blood after 45 days of Spirulina supplementation.
- A Polysaccharide found in Spirulina shows chemo-protective and radio-protective capabilities in laboratory animals *
- Spirulina extract provided a radio-protective effect in mouse bone marrow cells*
- An extract of Spirulina combined with vitamin complex led to a correcting effect in rats exposed to radiation*
Fortunately, Fukushima has not affected our Spirulina or Astaxanthin. Though we haven’t had any problems with radiation, Nutrex Hawaii does testing in our labs and we also send samples to an outside, third party lab for radiation testing. Each test has come back negative for radiation. We also want to note that our Spirulina and Astaxanthin products are not grown in the ocean- they are grown in lined, fresh water ponds. The 5% sea water mixture in the spirulina is pumped from 2000 ft below the ocean surface and has not seen the surface in over 2000 years. It pretty much some of the purest water you can get.
*Please note: Hawaiian Spirulina does not condone the use of animals in medical research; we report animal research done by others so that the reader may fully understand the potential benefits of Spirulina for radiation exposure.
WHY ISN’T HAWAIIAN SPIRULINA ORGANIC?
In fact, Hawaiian Spirulina is organic, but not in the way that most people are familiar with the term. The reason for this is because the classification “organic,” differs between agriculture and aquaculture.
THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN ORGANIC AGRICULTURE AND ORGANIC AQUACULTURE
In order for agricultural crops to be considered “certified organic,” they need to be grown in an eco-system that uses nutrient sources approved as organic, as well as meet other certification body standards regarding pesticide use, product traceability through the supply chain, etc. In essence, the organic compounds used in organic agriculture are produced by living things. Inorganic sources of nitrogen are not allowed in “organic” agriculture.
But, in organic spirulina aquaculture, inorganic nitrogen sources are a natural part of the growth process in blue-green algae, and they have been for millions of years. Spirulina grows naturally in waters that are rich in inorganic mineral salts like phosphorus, nitrogen, and natrium. The inorganic fertilizer found naturally in the Earth’s soil is how spirulina has been nourished for over three billion years. True organic spirulina is not fertilized using fertilizer derived from plant and animal waste; therefore, it does not meet the agricultural definition of “organic.”
HOW IS ORGANIC HAWAIIAN SPIRULINA PRODUCED?
At our spirulina farm on the Kona coast of Hawaii, we recreate the same growing conditions found in nature in order to cultivate true organic spirulina. We use the same inorganic fertilizer from nature (phosphorus, nitrogen, and natrium) to fuel our spirulina crops, because that is natural food for the algae. Our cultivation centers feature closed-loop productions in lined ponds with no runoff, and no soil contamination.
WHY CAN’T ORGANIC FERTILIZER BE USED IN AQUACULTURE?
Organic fertilizers can be used in agriculture because the edible part of the plant does not actually come in contact with the plant and animal waste. Since the edible fruit or vegetable never touches the waste product, contamination risks are low. But, if plant and animal waste were to be used in aquaculture, the spirulina would be in direct contact with the waste, making contamination a very real possibility.
HAWAIIAN SPIRULINA IS THE WORLD’S FIRST “ORGANIC” SPIRULINA
Surprisingly, most spirulina brands available on the market are not certified organic. Hawaiian Spirulina is the world’s first organic Spirulina, because it meets the three major requirements necessary for being certified organic:
1. No chemical fertilizers or plant/animal waste products are used in the production of Hawaii Spirulina.
2. Hawaii Spirulina is grown in a BioSecure Zone in lined ponds with no run-off from adjacent farms or golf courses.
3. Our growing facility regularly undergoes third-party farm inspections, pesticide screenings, processing inspections, and other quality control tests.
NUTRIENT DENSE FOOD
Spirulina is typically considered to be one of the world’s most powerful superfoods. It has more protein than meat, fish, poultry, and soybeans. It has the most beta-carotene of any food, and it has a full spectrum of ten mixed carotenoids. It contains all eight essential amino acids, and no fewer than ten non-essential amino acids. It is also rich in iron, vitamins A, E, and B, potassium, enzymes, minerals, phytonutrients, and beneficial fatty acids like DHA and GLA.
But, where does spirulina exactly come, and how does it get made into the powder and tablet forms that are suitable for human consumption?
THE ORIGINS OF SPIRULINA
Spirulina is a type of algae, and it also happens to be one of the oldest life forms on Earth. In fact, science has determined that spirulina was actually responsible for producing much of the oxygen on the planet that allowed the earliest organisms to develop.
For centuries, civilizations the world over cultivated and cherished spirulina for its amazing health-improving benefits. For example, the Aztecs harvested the algae from Lake Texcoco in Mexico. The native people in Chad, Africa, have also used the algae as a primary staple in their daily diet, as spirulina grows naturally and profusely in the pure salt water lakes of the region.
WHERE DOES SPIRULINA GROW?
Spirulina, in its natural algae form, can be found in many freshwater lakes, rivers, and ponds. It grows best in environments that have moderate temperatures, and very high levels of sunlight. We grow our spirulina in a specially-designed BioSecure Zone on the Kona coast of Hawaii, because this environment is perfect for cultivating this powerful superfood.
Our spirulina grows in ponds fed with 100% fresh potable water from Hawaiian aquifers, and pure, deep ocean water that’s pumped from 2,000 feet below the surface of the Pacific Ocean.
The unique combination of the ultra-pure, deep ocean water and the fresh potable water enriches this particular strain of spirulina with trace minerals, making it the most potent form of the superfood available.
HOW IS SPIRULINA DRIED AND PROCESSED INTO POWDERS AND SUPPLEMENTS?
Hawaiian Spirulina utilizes proprietary Ocean Chill Drying™ technology to dry the spirulina once it is harvested. This process instantly flash-dries the algae in as little as three to seven seconds, in order to eliminate the risk of oxidation of the algae’s carotenes and fatty acids that often occurs in standard drying procedures.
Hawaiian Spirulina Ocean Chill Drying™ process is conducted in a closed system in which very cold deep ocean water is used to provide dehumidification, while the entire process is kept at less than one percent oxygen by flushing it with nitrogen and carbon dioxide.
The result is the purest, highest nutritional-grade of dried spirulina that can then be sold direct as a powder or pressed into tablet form for convenient integration into one’s daily diet.
* This product is not meant to Diagnose, Treat, Heal or Prevent Diseases.
Some of the information contained in this document was provided by our suppliers and another part was taken from different articles and studies on the Internet, which we believe to be reliable sources.