Spirulina and AFA algae are sold as powder, capsules, or tablets.While both provide a human-friendly protein pattern, the recommended consumption of a few grams per day is of no benefit.(Photo: 5second / stock.adobe.com)Spirulina products have been on the market in Germany since the 1970s.They were initially hailed as a "magic bullet for weight loss."Later, the micro-blue-green algae, which is actually a bacterium, were said to have effects against all kinds of diseases.In the past few years, the AFA algae has pushed powerfully into the dietary supplement market – driven by relevant “health guides”.AFA algae are said to be the “good mood remedy” par excellence, a “brain food” especially for children with concentration disorders, but also for Alzheimer’s sufferers.What about facts about the microalgae Spirulina and AFA?Can their alleged healing powers be proven?The microalga Spirulina, also known as blue-green algae, is a cyanobacteria.These settle in alkaline, mineral-rich salt lakes or in shallow saline waters, mainly in subtropical to tropical regions.But they also occur in fresh water.The bacterium forms multicellular thread-like protein structures that are deposited on the water like a blanket.Because these deposits look like algae from the outside, they are still traditionally considered to be algae, despite their bacterial origin.Spirulina is now produced in aquaculture for commercial use.In India and in Africa's Burkina Faso, people have always used Spirulina as a food.Unlike the microalgae chlorella, spirulina has no cellulose walls.From this it can be deduced that the contents of the cell are particularly readily bioavailable.In dried form, spirulina consists of 60 percent protein and scores with a high content of iron, magnesium, selenium, beta-carotene, folates and vitamin B12, which, however, is only available in a form that can be used by humans up to 80 percent.In Europe, spirulina came onto the market a few decades ago as a means of alternative medicine, initially primarily as a “miracle cure” for losing weight.There is now a huge range of spirulina food supplements in the form of tablets, pellets, powder or flakes in health and online shops.The marketing is very creative when it comes to the product names: You can find "Magic Blue", "Hawaiin Spirulina" or "Earthrise Spirulina Powder", everything also in the variants vegan and kosher, natural, organic and plant-based anyway.However, calling a bacterium plant-based is idiosyncratic.Even if the manufacturers of these preparations are not allowed to advertise with health promises, you can find them in abundance - mostly as personal testimonials in Internet forums or as editorial contributions from health magazines.Spirulina is said to slow down the aging process, strengthen the immune system, protect against viruses and cancer and, of course, generally "detoxify".It is also said to alleviate allergic reactions, lower blood lipids and blood pressure, have a positive effect on blood sugar and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.If there are any studies at all, they are laboratory or animal experiments.There are no scientifically reliable studies that prove the health-promoting effects of spirulina in humans.The high protein content, which is repeatedly emphasized in advertising statements, is put into perspective very quickly if you compare the recommended daily dose of two to four grams of a spirulina preparation to the amount of protein required daily.This is 0.8 grams per kilogram of body weight for adults up to the age of 65, i.e. 56 grams for a body weight of 70 kilograms.Important to know: Spirulina is not suitable for people with phenylketonuria because the microalgae contains phenylalanine.Allergies to spirulina products also occur.In addition, spirulina binds iron, which can lead to an iron deficiency if you overdo it with consumption.Reinhild Berger, pharmacist redaktion@daz.online