It strengthens the immune system, protects against cancer and is full of vitamins - the blue-green algae Spirulina is touted as a miracle cure.But is she really?We reveal the benefits and side effects of spirulina.Spirulina is also called blue-green algae.Strictly speaking, however, it is not an alga, but so-called cyanobacteria.They are the oldest living creatures on earth and grow in seawater and freshwater.In recent years, spirulina has gained popularity as a dietary supplement.Here you will find information on the following topics:effect in the human bodyThis is how the seaweed is usedHow often should you take Spirulina?Where can you buy spirulina?In these cases, spirulina does harmSpirulina mainly grows in salt lakes with a high pH value and inhabits flat, warm areas.The blue-green alga occurs wild in waters in Central America, Africa, Australia and Southeast Asia.Spirulina was used as a food thousands of years ago by the Kanembu people of Lake Chad in Africa and by the Aztecs of Lake Texcoco in what is now Mexico.So that a dietary supplement in powder, tablet or capsule form can be produced from the spirulina algae, it is cultivated in shallow, artificially created aquacultures and filtered out of the water for further processing.The microalgae capsules and tablets are said to have health-promoting powers.It is said to strengthen the immune system and reduce the risk of cancer.High in protein and rich in nutrients, the superfood is also said to keep you young, alleviate allergies, lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels and protect against cardiovascular diseases.Spirulina is high in vitamin B12, which can otherwise only be found in animal sources.In addition, the miracle algae contain a high proportion of protein, nutrients such as iron, calcium, selenium, magnesium and β-carotene and the healthy plant ingredient chlorophyll.These are the ingredients of the algae:Essential amino acids and rare omega-6 fatty acids in particular are of great importance for a wholesome diet.The essential nutrients cannot be made by the body and must be supplied through diet.But what is really true about the health-promoting aspects of spirulina?Although it is true that spirulina algae contain healthy nutrients, there is no scientific confirmation of the health-promoting effect on the human body.So far, positive effects have only been proven in animal experiments.However, such studies do not allow any conclusions to be drawn about the effects of spirulina in the human body.Spirulina promises great things: It is said to slow down the aging process, protect against infections and viral diseases, reduce the risk of cancer, alleviate allergies and keep the cardiovascular system healthy.But there are no studies that confirm these promises.Researchers found only positive effects on animal health.These beneficial effects, identified in clinical studies involving animals, would need to be replicated in meaningful human studies.Since the health-promoting properties have not been scientifically proven, manufacturers of spirulina capsules and tablets are strictly not allowed to advertise with them.This is regulated by the Health Claims Regulation of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).Only the health-promoting properties of the individual nutrients and vitamins in Spirulina have been scientifically proven.As a precursor of vitamin A, beta-carotene supports the immune system, normal vision, iron metabolism, healthy skin and helps maintain the mucous membranes - provided the daily requirement of 800 micrograms is covered.Vitamin E, vitamin B2 and selenium protect the body from oxidative stress, which is triggered by the so-called free radicals when there are too many of them in the body.On the other hand, sellers of spirulina preparations are not allowed to advertise the high content of vitamin B12.Although the blue-green algae contain a high proportion of the vitamin, the body cannot process most of it.If at least 30 percent of the recommended daily requirement of vitamin B12 is not covered, manufacturers of spirulina products are not allowed to advertise the B12 content they contain.The same applies to the "particularly high" protein content.The protein content is actually over 55 percent, but with the recommended daily amount of four grams, that's just 2.2 grams of protein.A fraction of the daily protein requirement.An adult man needs around 60 to 70 grams of protein per day.The protein requirement can be better covered through nutrition than with spirulina.Most foods - even purely plant-based foods - contain more protein in total than a few spirulina tablets.Solar energy in capsule form, rich in plant-based vitamin B12, minerals and essential fatty acids and amino acids - with this nutrient density you would think Spirulina is a miracle algae.In addition to tablets and capsules, the algae is also available in powder form and can be added to various dishes.As a superfood, it is suitable in smoothies, as a spread, in homemade ice cream, in pudding, soups or in muesli.With a little creativity, spirulina powder can be used in a wide variety of dishes.The influence on health has not been proven without a doubt, but the green powder is guaranteed to have an influence on the color of the food.The spirulina crackers with almonds or the bowl with quinoa, avocados and chia seeds then shine in rich dark green thanks to the chlorophyll ingredient.Regular intake of a spirulina supplement is said to have these health-promoting effects:Provides the body with proteins, nutrients and all essential amino acids Strengthens the immune system Lowers blood pressure Improves cholesterol levels Reduces the risk of cancer Has a detoxifying effect Lowers blood sugar levels Alleviates allergiesHowever, there are not enough studies to support these statements.The consumer center points this out.Neither effects on blood sugar levels nor positive properties on the cardiovascular system have been confirmed in representative studies.Instead, taking a supplement can be dangerous for people with phenylketonuria, an inherited metabolic disorder.Allergic reactions are also possible.The intake should be stopped immediately if itching or skin rashes or symptoms such as nausea or diarrhea occur.If you take medication regularly, have an autoimmune disease, or any other pre-existing condition, you should seek medical advice before taking any spirulina supplement.The seaweed Spirulina is sold in capsule, tablet, powder or flake form.Manufacturers recommend taking four grams of spirulina per day.That equates to about six to ten tablets, or two teaspoons of the powder.A higher dose is possible.You can take spirulina as a cure over a period of one to three months or you can supplement your diet with blue-green algae throughout your diet.It is up to you whether you take a single dose per day or distribute the tablets throughout the day.You can easily take Spirulina capsules or tablets with some water.When it comes to powder or flakes, you have many options: mix the powder into muesli, bake spirulina biscuits, refine soups or simply drink the green powder mixed with water.You can buy spirulina in pharmacies, health food stores or drugstores without a prescription.There are also numerous providers on the Internet.Pay attention to which ingredients the preparation contains and where the algae was grown.Dubious manufacturers stretch preparations with unnecessary additives.Your dietary supplement should ideally come from controlled, organic cultivation.Larger growing areas are in Hawaii, China and India.In the constant, warm temperatures, the algae are cultivated in large, shallow breeding tanks under direct sunlight.Spirulina preparations from German cultures are also commercially available.These are grown in greenhouses.With spirulina products from Germany or the EU, you can be sure that they do not contain any harmful substances.With German dealers who produce abroad, you should check whether the quality of the products is checked regularly and independently.What is the difference between Chlorella and Spirulina?An alternative to spirulina is chlorella.Chlorella is a freshwater alga, a green alga.Spirulina, on the other hand, is one of the blue-green algae.Chlorella grows in fresh water around the world and, like spirulina, is so small that it cannot be seen with the naked eye.However, at 10 microns, chlorella grows twice as tall as spirulina.In large numbers, the water shimmers dark green.The alga is cultivated on a large scale in Saxony-Anhalt as a dietary supplement for the European market.In a direct comparison of the ingredients, spirulina comes out on top: the alga has a higher content of important nutrients, amino acids and minerals.Chlorella is said to be the better choice for eliminating toxins.Due to the thicker cell walls, chlorella is said to be able to bind unwanted substances in the intestine and remove them from the body.The higher proportion of chlorophyll is said to help clean the blood.These advertising messages are not scientifically proven.If you have phenylketonuria, the dietary supplement Spirulina should not be taken.People with this congenital metabolic disorder must eat a strictly low-protein diet.People with certain autoimmune diseases should also avoid spirulina.The American National Institutes of Health (NIH) warns that spirulina could weaken the effects of immunosuppressants.Due to the lack of studies on the effect and tolerability, breastfeeding and pregnant women should not take the algae as a dietary supplement during pregnancy and breastfeeding.If you are unsure, have concerns or have previous illnesses, you should consult a doctor before taking the product.Some are convinced of the health-promoting effect, others consider it a placebo.If the dietary supplement comes from controlled cultivation, it is considered harmless.There are no serious side effects if Spirulina is taken regularly.Only allergic reactions are possible.In rare cases, spirulina can cause skin rashes and itching or even severe allergic reactions such as nausea and diarrhea.In this case, you should stop taking the drug.Allergy sufferers should consult their doctor before taking.Spirulina is not suitable for people with phenylketonuria because it contains phenylalanine, which people with this metabolic disease cannot break down.Read more about health here.When buying a supplement, also pay attention to the manufacturer: spirulina absorbs heavy metals from the water in which it grows.Therefore, only buy high-quality Spirulina from controlled cultivation.Stiftung Warentest warned against algae preparations in 2011.Toxic microcystins could be detected in three tested products with AFA algae.These toxins can attack the liver, kidneys and brain and increase the risk of cancer.But AFA algae are different from Spirulina: In contrast to Green Spanalga, or AFA for short, Spirulina is obtained from artificially created aquacultures.The water quality is strictly controlled.AFA algae is wild harvested from Klamath Lake, Oregon, USA.Here you will find all information about blue-green algae.This article is dated April 30, 2020 and has been updated.Click here for the information section: 10 information about the miracle algae SpirulinaThe comments section is currently closed.The comment section is open again from 9 a.m.