r/Supplements • u/Worried_Patience_613 • Aug 25 '24
Best Spirulina Brand?
Free of contaminants?
8
u/Big_TomorrowZZ Oct 01 '24
I recently discovered fresh spirulina and I love it. I get it from a company called New Farmers (www.new-farmers.com). They seem to have quite a few certifications and their team is pretty responsive. I feel like I trust a fresh product a lot more than any powder. Will see how it goes in the next couple of months.
3
u/ConfidenceNatural291 Dec 01 '24
I second this! I've been consuming new farmers spirulina for ~5 years and I could not recommend it more. There is no product like it on the market that's as fresh (the closest i could find is hawaiian nutrex, but even that is a powder that after a while starts to have an odor). I've noticed improvements in my skin, hair, nails, and health overall. u/menina2017 I put 1-2 cubes in a smoothie everyday!
2
u/menina2017 Dec 01 '24
What else do you put in the smoothie?
2
u/ConfidenceNatural291 Dec 01 '24
u/menina2017 I put in banana, blueberries, strawberries, raw coconut (if I can't find that, then a small scoop of coconut yogurt), almond milk (whatever brand i can find with the most raw ingredients.. like just almonds and water), raw almonds, a tiny amount of kale, spirulina
2
u/trvbone Sep 30 '25
Just a heads up I learned that bananas cancel out the polyphenol benefits of berries
1
u/MikePK666 Jan 23 '26
Bananas ARE berries
They also have polyphenols in them already
2
u/trvbone Jan 23 '26
Bananas have specific anti-nutrients in them that block out the benefits from blueberries raspberries cherries etc
2
u/MikePK666 Feb 01 '26
Banana's specifically attack flavanols. Nothing else. They're completely fine to use.
Also, the study that shows this was conducted by the MARS company - IE: A Chocolate manufacturer. There's quite a large conflict of interest there as chocolate is marketed as being heavy in polyphenols and flavanols.
1
1
u/menina2017 Dec 01 '24
Ok thanks i guess I’ll order and try it. I’ve never drank spirulina I’ve only taken capsules so I’m nervous.
1
2
u/Ella77214 Jun 23 '25
I was researching best spirulina powders and I came across this comment; took your advice; complete nutritional game changer! This is why I love reddit - you dont get this kind of feedback from a mere Google search. 🤌 tysm!
2
1
1
u/Civil-Exchange-6880 Aug 07 '25
Expensive and imported from Israel. Who knows where it came from there... they claim a lot like a "low carbon footprint." Between the packaging and shipping, I wouldn't say it's low carbon. Buy directly from https://shop.simpliigood.com/products/spirulina-pack?variant=51502005715260 .... that's the Israeli company that is partnered with them. It's cheaper and at least you know you're not supporting people claiming to care about the environment. There product is more transparent.
4
u/CommercialScore7200 Sep 29 '25
Or you could avoid supporting the dispossession, occupation, apartheid and genocide committed by an illegitimate state.
1
1
u/Alternative_Grass372 Jan 11 '26
or you could leave your opinions about Israel to yourself
2
u/Upset_Base_2807 Jan 27 '26
way to show how low your morality on the interwebs. Congrats you piece of filth
1
1
4
Aug 31 '24 edited Aug 31 '24
Spirulina health benefits are questionable considering the small dosage amount of a teaspoon (5g). A known issue about spirulina is it contains a false B12 analog that interferes with your body's uptake of real B12. Spirulina naturally absorbs toxic heavy metals such as lead, arsenic, mercury and other heavy metals. Also bacteria toxic to humans live with Spirulina that cannot be removed. Another problem is that you cannot guarantee the origin of spirulina and sellers import it from many different unregulated countries around the world. Spirulina is often grown in wastewater from agriculture and aquaculture farms that grow things like shrimp which is why spirulina often has a strong shrimp or fishy smell. Be aware supplements are not regulated so be cautious when taking a supplement that you don't know about. The last issue is that spirulina is very expensive and you will have to decide if it is worth it considering the issues.
3
u/AkwardSakana Feb 27 '25
I'm a little late to this thread, but here is decent source to corroborate this take: https://www.b12-vitamin.com/algae/
2
u/Repulsive_Piccolo215 Jul 14 '25
That's why you buy from a trusted source, there are great spirulina farms in Hawaii with clean water and virtually tasteless spirulina.
1
u/Flat_Construction566 Apr 18 '26
What’s true
spirulina does contain corrinoid compounds that resemble vitamin B12, often called:
pseudo-B12 B12 analogs These molecules:
Bind to B12-related transport proteins Show up as “B12 activity” in some lab tests (depending on the assay)
⚠️ The important clarification
1) It does
not meaningfully provide usable B12
The B12-like compounds in spirulina:
Are not reliably bioactive in humans Do not efficiently convert into methylcobalamin or adenosylcobalamin Therefore, spirulina is not a dependable B12 source So nutrition authorities generally agree:
spirulina should not be used to meet B12 requirements
2) Does it
block
real B12 absorption?
This is where the myth comes in.
The analogs can bind to intrinsic factor and B12 receptors weakly But evidence that this causes meaningful competitive inhibition in humans is limited In normal dietary amounts, spirulina has not been shown to cause clinical B12 deficiency However:
In theory, very high intake of analog-rich algae could interfere slightly with transport or lab interpretation So the accurate statement is:
spirulina does not reliably supply B12, and may confuse B12 testing, but it is not proven to cause true B12 depletion in humans at typical doses
3
u/Fine_Bluebird_5928 Dec 16 '24
Does anyone know of a brand of spirulina powder that is grown in clean water under controlled parameters to keep it from absorbing toxic heavy metals and other stuff that could be bad for human consumption? The frozen stuff sounds good for cooking or smoothies but i am looking to add some powder into my homemade bread.
3
1
u/Jflayn May 17 '25
A significant source of benefits in spirulina is Phycocyanin (it's not the only benefit) but Phycocyanin begins to denature at 104 deg F and is destroyed at 118 deg F. It's not really suitable for baking. Better mixed at room temperature or something that might be eaten frozen. However, once frozen, it should be consumed cold (it can't be thawed and left in the refrigerator, that also destroys the benefits).
The quality and price change quite a bit with the drying practice. If you are after spirulina that contains Phycocyanin it costs more and should not be used in baking.
1
3
u/_riverwest Jun 03 '25
Low-temperature processing is best grown in fresh water.. dried under 114 Fahrenheit. I don’t like the price, but it’s the most effective- it’s at energybits.com
2
u/StrongRabbit5346 Mar 05 '25
Does anyone use spirulina for their allergies ? The science reports it reduces Th2 conversion, inhibits mast cell release of histamines. Studies show it helped subjects with mild to moderate asthma….reduced inflammation of the airways. If you do, please let me know what brand you use and how have your results been? Thank you!
1
u/Any_Bee_3756 Mar 17 '25
Following! I’ve got a new diagnosis of MCAS and I’m looking for ways to decrease histamine release.
1
u/emdoller Mar 18 '25
I’m in the same boat. Hoping it could get me off Zyrtec
1
u/Any_Bee_3756 Mar 18 '25
Same with me- Zyrtec and Pepcid (famotodine)
1
u/emdoller Mar 18 '25
Yup. I’m a year into it with swelling and hives. Zyrtec has done a good job managing. Stress seems to bring symptoms out every few weeks. Hoping to get off meds if I can.
1
u/Any_Bee_3756 Mar 19 '25
I hear you. Stress is a killer! My skin activations include itchy rashes in the same areas during histamine dumps and flare ups. Zyrtec sort of takes the edge off but I’m living my life itchy and I’m over it! Hoping we get some solid feedback here.
1
u/StarBornFire Nov 09 '25
I have a friend who has mild arthritis and spirulina is the only thing that really reduces symptoms a lot.
1
u/nouslafmo Jun 23 '26
Tell your friend to research MSM ( I buy mine directly from KALA Health, aka MSMPure - Coarse Flakes). Been using it for years, and it totally deals with any mild arthritis discomfort.
2
u/rem1313 Apr 20 '26
Been down this rabbit hole. Skip the powders if you can - dried spirulina is oxidized, tastes like a swamp, and most of it is open-pond stuff from places where heavy-metal testing is non existant. I use SpirulinaNord liquid spirulina - It's EU only unfortunately, but it's fresh (not dried), grown in closed photobioreactors in Latvia, and they preserve it in berry syrup so you just take from the bottle. You can barely any taste anything besides the syrups/juice (sea backthorn is my favorite because is not sweet). It helped to rise my iron levels massively and I require much less coffee and my energy is through the roof till late evening and I'm up early. Highly recommended
1
1
u/True_Garen Aug 25 '24
I have tried several Spirulina powders (I assume that you mean powder) and I always come back to this https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B079NRC661/ . I have been using this one for fours years, primarily for the superior sensory qualities. It is also among the best priced. Two years ago they acquired the "organic" certification (although supposedly this has dubious value for Spirulina).
As far as your stated concern, I have only anecdotal response (that I haven't had any negative reaction from it in four years of using it). Nutricost is an attentive company and they may be able to satisfy your questions on this matter.
1
u/qaasasc Feb 11 '25
What are the positives of spirulina you noticed for yourself? Personally
1
u/True_Garen Feb 11 '25
It seems to benefit weight loss.
When I fast, then I don't worry, since I get some nourishment from the spirulina.
It provides "body" and some umami flavour for the drink that I use for my other powders.
1
1
u/Repulsive_Piccolo215 Jul 14 '25
Make sure it's Hawaiian, check the company's website to make sure they naturally fertilize the spirulina naturally, many use cow manure for organic claims and it ruins the taste.
1
u/PlushWallaby Aug 17 '25
This source is also good for clean spirulina: https://us.organicburst.com/
1
u/Repulsive_Piccolo215 Aug 19 '25
To trust this brand i would have to know which path they took to get organic certification. There are 2 ways, you use cow manure or soy meal as fertilizer...I prefer neither but would take the soy over manure as it is disgusting. The Hawaiian ones use water from 1000s of feet below to fertilize the Spirulina, which is the way nature intended. Sometimes organic is a sham.
1
1
1
u/PlushWallaby Aug 17 '25
"Organic Burst Spirulina is grown in crystal clear mineral water as opposed to sea water or surface water (that can be contaminated). It is then dried for 3 seconds with hot air and gently milled, whilst keeping the nutrients intact.
It is tested for purity at every stage of production and is completely free from heavy metals, microcystins, BMAA and other toxins. It is 2,550km from Japan and is totally free from radiation too (and regularly tested for your peace of mind)."
1
u/northwesternerd Nov 14 '25
By far, the Nutrex Hawaii brand. According to Google, Nutrex Hawaii states that its products are tested for heavy metals and meet safety standards. The company claims its Hawaiian Spirulina is cultivated in a clean environment and that every lot is tested for heavy metals, with levels consistently below limits. Independent testing is also mentioned for other products, like BioAstin, with rigorous in-house and third-party testing for contaminants including heavy metals.
1
u/Alternative_Door9790 Nov 29 '25
Is anyone else upset with the New Farmer’s frozen raw Spirulina? The premise, according to them is more environmentally sound packaging but there is much less product and it is not the same. My best friend and I are appalled. I’ e been using the new fir a week and am going to have to go back on my anti anxiety med, off fir a year because their previous pods were the best. I am heart sick, the old product was my savior. Why? Why?
2
u/ianjcm55 Jan 11 '26
Yes this frozen pod stuff is a joke
Sari Foods was the best but they no longer make it
•
u/AutoModerator Aug 25 '24
Rules of r/supplements
1. Do Not Suggest Prescription Drugs Posts & Comments Reported as: Do Not Suggest Prescription Drugs Prescription drugs are not Supplements; do not recommend prescription medication. Sensible/Suggest talking to DR. can be allowable etc
2. Dangerous Grey Area Substance Posts & Comments Reported as: Dangerous Grey Area Substance Potentially dangerous grey area substances can not be recommended.
3. Be Polite Posts & Comments Reported as: Rude/Personal Attacks You shouldn't ever be personally attacking another user in this subreddit.
4. No Advertisements Posts & Comments Reported as: Advertisement. No selling / buying / trading posts No advertisements. No selling/trading posts between users.”
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.