Every natural health-seeker has experienced the same common process; you've felt low energy or stressed, so you turn to google and type, "Natural supplements for (insert issue here)". Up pops an itemized list of what you're seeking and you begin to peak at some articles on Maca, CBD Oil, and perhaps, Spirulina.
You center on Spirulina as the perfect supplement and do the next logical thing, which is to head to Amazon and purchase a Spirulina supplement with the highest ratings.
But today we're advising you as a consumer, to begin to exercise caution as we share with you our latest findings regarding the truth about Spirulina and supplements bought from the Amazon marketplace.
What is Spirulina?
Spirulina is popularly known for the rich green color it adds to smoothies and juices, however, people are often unaware that it is actually algae. Indeed, Spirulina is a cynobacterial algae that grows on top of water. It is considered one of the most nutrient-dense natural supplements available, rich in: proteins, B vitamins, copper, iron, omega 6, omega 3, and antioxidant properties.
What are the Health Benefits of Spirulina?
- Supports cardiovascular health
- Helps support immune function
- Complete proteins, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants
A Closer Look at Spirulina & Heavy Metals
Four months ago, Neurogan entered the spirulina superfood market. In doing so, we did our due diligence in thoroughly researching the supplement, as we always strive to give our customers the best quality product. To our surprise, we learned that spirulina often contains high traces of heavy metals.
We decided to check the market and purchased best-selling spirulina products from Amazon. To our astonishment, the products purchased from Amazon contained arsenic, lead, cadmium, and mercury. Our independent lab results showed that the heavy metal levels were above the acceptable levels set forth by the state of California. For your benefit and information, we’ve attached the lab results below.
3rd Party Lab Results Interpreted
As pictured above, BRI Nutrition Spirulina failed to be within acceptable ranges during a heavy metal screen. Neurogan Spirulina & Mincronutrients Spirulina both received a passing score for having contents within acceptable ranges.
What are Heavy Metals?
Heavy metals are naturally created by the earth's crust, however, human activity has lead to an increase in environmental heavy metals making the risk for human exposure much more likely. Even though heavy metals are actually important to a human diet for our body's to carry out critical functions, it is a scant amount.
Exposure
Exposure to heavy metals can occur through food, water, air, commercial products, and medicine.
Health Risks
- Prolonged exposure to heavy metals is toxic
- Heavy metal consumption or contact effects important systems in the body
- Vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and confusion can all be signs of exposure
How do I Avoid Contaminated Spirulina?
Our findings suggest that all spirulina will be likely to contain certain amounts of heavy metals, which makes it your choice to decide whether or not you'd still like to consume it. If anything, our research can be your wake-up call to act as a guardian of your body and to become curious about the origin and creation of the supplements you consume.
We encourage all of our customers to take action by always holding brands and companies accountable. Be persistent and request to see lab results for each product you purchase and If a company selling consumable products doesn't have lab results - keep looking!
Our Questions to You:
- Even if a brand does pass a heavy metal screening, is it still safe to consume?
- Are you blindly trusting the bestsellers on marketplaces – and if so, why?
- Do the health benefits within spirulina outweigh the negatives of heavy metal contamination?
- Should we be selling the product at all, even if it falls within the acceptable limits deemed safe for humans by the FDA?
Please reach out to us with all of your questions and we'll be happy to speak with you.
FAQ
Is There Anything Wrong With Spirulina?
Quality spirulina supplements are generally safe, but some products are contaminated with bacteria and heavy metals that can be dangerous when consumed in large amounts. Only purchase spirulina supplements from reputable brands that source quality spirulina.
Where to Get Spirulina?
You can buy spirulina supplements online and at health foods stores. The advantage of purchasing spirulina online is that you can shop from home at competitive prices. Neurogan’s spirulina comes from cyanobacteria algae screened for heavy metals and other toxins.
What to Look for When Buying Spirulina?
Spirulina is a type of algae high in protein and nutrients, making it a great addition to any diet. Check to see that it comes from a clean, organic source and that it has lab screening tests to verify its quality and safety.
Can There Be Side Effects From Taking Spirulina?
Spirulina products are generally considered safe, but they may produce adverse effects in people with certain health conditions, especially if they’re on blood-thinning meds. Wild-harvested spirulina may be contaminated with toxins that can affect the liver, and some people may be allergic.
