Spirulina Tablets: Top 10 Tips for Choosing the Right One

Did you know that one of the best ways to get the health benefits of the superfood spirulina is with spirulina tablets?

If you are reading this article, you have probably heard the buzz about spirulina – a superfood packed with nutrients and antioxidants beneficial to the whole body.

It may even help reduce bad cholesterol levels and has shown signs that it may help fight certain types of cancer.

Here we will give you the lowdown on spirulina tablets – what they are, why they have advantages over other forms of spirulina, and, most importantly, how you can choose the right one.

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Spirulina may even help reduce bad cholesterol levels, and can help fight certain types of cancer. Share on X

First, What Is Spirulina?

Spirulina is a type of filamentous blue-green algae.

In fact, spirulina has the properties of both algae and bacteria but is officially classified as a cyanobacterium, which is a type of bacteria that obtains its energy from the sun through photosynthesis, asplants do.

Spirulina is naturally found in aquatic environments in parts of Latin America and Africa, but it can be produced in controlled environments and removed and dried for our consumption as a dietary supplement.

Why Are Spirulina Tablets Better than Powder?

The answer to this question is simple – spirulina tablets are made of compressed spirulina powder.

This means all of the upsides of the powder in the convenience of a tablet! In other words, an easy-to-swallow pill without the discomfort of trying to ingest the powder by itself or in water or integrate it into what you eat.

Additionally, spirulina tablets often preserve their properties over time because less of the powder is exposed to UV light.

As a plus, tablets are easy to carry along with you so you can take them at your convenience.

Now, How Should I Choose a Spirulina Tablet?

Let us help!

Here are 10 tips for choosing the best spirulina tablets for you.

Go Organic

When you buy certified organic spirulina tablets, you are making sure that:

• It is produced by farmers who use renewable resources and promote soil and water conservation
• It is grown without the use of pesticides or fertilizers made with synthetic ingredients
• A government-approved certifier has inspected the area of production
• Producers and handlers are certified to ensure proper practices and hygiene.

Make Sure It’s Clean

Of course, spirulina tablets will not list whether it contains heavy metals or may have been exposed to radiation. However, by checking where the spirulina was produced and/or packaged, you can avoid products that may be contaminated.

The places you should avoid buying spirulina tablets from include Japan, due to the high radiation levels after the Fukushima incident, and China, because some supplements have been contaminated with lead, mercury, and arsenic.

Finally, while it may seem like a benefit for your spirulina to come from “natural lakes,” the wild growing conditions could result in contamination of your spirulina tablets with heavy metals.

Avoid Fillers

You want to get the most out of each spirulina tablet. To do this, you want to avoid any fillers companies may use to lower costs and boost nutritional analyses (including adding animal waste to boost protein, yuck!).

Read the label and ensure you are consuming 100% pure spirulina.

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Read the label and ensure you are consuming 100% pure spirulina. Share on X

Make Sure It Has All the Most Important Components

The benefits that spirulina tablets provide are all due to its nutritional content, and the interaction between these different nutrients in your body. If some of these trace minerals nutrients are missing from the supplement, then you might be missing out:

• Carotenoids
• Gamma-linoleic acid (GLA)
• Vitamin B12
• Minerals like iron, magnesium, selenium, zinc
• Chorophyll
• Phycocyanin
• Zeaxanthin
• Chlorophyll

Ensure It’s Been Third-party Lab Tested

They will make sure that the spirulina tablets are free of toxins, radiation, and harmful components like bromine. Read the fine print and check out the product’s website; if a third-party lab has verified it, it should be listed.

Make Sure It Is Easy to Digest

This is a tricky one, as there is no surefire way of making sure you are digesting – and thus absorbing – the spirulina tablets.

However, there are a few things that can guide you.

Spirulina tablets, as opposed to spirulina capsules, do not have a coating. For some people, the coating may be hard to break down. However, if you do choose capsules, make sure they are made of gelatin, which is easily broken down in the stomach.

Take the Right Dose

As with any dietary health supplement, it’s important to know how much you can take in a day so that you don’t accidentally take on more than necessary.

Unfortunately, there is still no generally agreed-upon dose for getting the most out of spirulina within the scientific community.

With that said, experts have carried out tests on various quantities of spirulina, so we do have some idea of what an adequate daily dosage looks like.

For example, for tackling high cholesterol, it seems that 1-8g of spirulina on a daily basis over a period of four weeks to six months has been shown to have a positive effect. Whereas for type 2 diabetes, an effective dose might be as low as just one gram of spirulina a day.

To find out how much spirulina to take in your situation, please consult your healthcare professional as they should have a clear idea of what’s a safe dose for you. There are a number of factors which affect what the right dose is, which range from your age to your medical history and gender.

Know Your Allergies and Sensitivities

The last thing you want is to have an adverse effect to taking a new supplement. Know what you are allergic to, and check the ingredient list to make sure it is not in the tablet.

If it is your first time taking a spirulina tablet, take it slow. First, consult with your health care provider. They may suggest you take one and wait to see if you have any adverse reactions.

Note any unusual scratching, swelling, drowsiness, and others before permanently integrating spirulina tablets into your daily routine.

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If it is your first time taking a spirulina tablet, take it slow. Share on X

Research the Brand Before Buying

The truth is, there are a lot of sketchy brands out there. Make sure you take the time to go through a brand’s website, and read any news articles written about the brand and the particular product.

Cheaper brands are often lower in quality and don’t have the same set of safety measures and testing as reputable companies.

Read Reviews

This isn’t the most scientific method, but if you want to hear real opinions about a certain brand of spirulina tablets, check out the online comment sections of different brands you are considering and see what people have to say about it.

While not everything will be relevant to you, it could help answer any questions you might have.

Ask Your Health Care Provider

If you are lost beyond reason, talk to a health care professional. Registered Dieticians and Holistic Health Specialists are often very informed about supplements like spirulina, and may be able to recommend a type of tablet and indicate whether or not it could be beneficial to you.

Look Out for Side Effects

While it’s easy to focus only on the positive aspects of health supplements such as spirulina tablets which are derived from a superfood, this doesn’t tell the whole story.

As with other dietary health supplements, spirulina tablets aren’t FDA approved, so any claims have to be taken with a pinch of salt and you should be aware of the side effects.

For example, if you have an autoimmune disorder, kidney stones, a thyroid condition, or you’re currency pregnant, you should steer clear of spirulina just in case. Or, as we mentioned earlier, speak with your healthcare provider to get a better understanding of the risk factor.

The biggest issue with spirulina tablets though is how they are sourced. If it’s grown in the wild, spirulina can pull toxins from the water called microcystins. These microcytins have been known to cause liver damage. The algae can also attract pollutants and heavy metals, which aren’t ideal for human consumption.

Fortunately, this issue is negated for a lot of spirulina products if they are produced in a laboratory and tested for toxins. Make sure you know where the spirulina is coming from before you invest, so you don’t run the risk of exposing yourself to harmful substances.

A Final Word From Energetic Lifestyle

Don’t be daunted by the wild world of spirulina tablets.

While it may require some added time and research at the beginning, it will all pay off when your body has begun to reap the benefits of spirulina.What is your favorite way to take spirulina? Let us know in the comments below.