Spirulina - any advice or experiences?

[Molly161018]

As you can see from previous posts, I have struggled to bring my iron and b vitamin levels up for a while, despite increasing my intake of both supplements...this has led me to look at spirulina as something that could possibly help, as there are quite a few reviews of this product from people saying how much it has helped raise levels that have previously been stubbornly low.

I have looked up on this forum and found a couple of posts about it, and it seems the main concern is about possible iodine content.

So I contacted the company whose product I had been looking at, and they assured me that their spirulina is grown in fresh controlled pools of spring water and therefore has no iodine.

So my question is this: Is iodine the only possible issue, and therefore the one I'm looking at could be worth a try? Or is there any other reason I should approach with caution or avoid it!?

I have also attached a picture of the nutritional info from this particular one.

I would be glad of any advice and/or experiences. Many thanks

[jrbarnes]

I don't know anything about spirulina but I can recommend Thorne iron. I take 100mg every other day for several weeks. Both my ferritin and iron serum were bottom range and I was so dizzy I could barely walk. It brought it up so quickly that symptoms subsided by week 4. It's excellent stuff and very gentle. I had absolutely no side effects. I had to take larger amounts every other day to get my iron up.

[Molly161018 in reply to jrbarnes]

Thank you jrbarnes, I appreciate your reply x Ok that is interesting, I currently take Solgar, so maybe a change in brand could help...and yes I have heard about taking it every other day helping some people, so I will try this.Thanks again

[jrbarnes in reply to Molly161018]

I use Solgar Hair Skin Nails formula which has zinc, copper, and MSM and it works. What I like about Thorne iron is how small the pills are and how quickly it worked. Definitely recommend! After trying the every other day routine I can confirm that it worked better than daily.

[Jaydee1507 Administrator]

I don't know anything about spirulina but it looks like a very low % supplement. Your ferritin really didn;t look that bad at 89 last test?

You do need a separate folate supplement as that was low on Thorne Basic B. Are you still taking that? Just add some 400mcg folate.

[Molly161018 in reply to Jaydee1507]

Thanks Jaydee, I'll give a separate folate supplement a try 👍

[Molly161018 in reply to Jaydee1507]

Hello again Jaydee, do you have any recommendations on brand for 400mcg folate capsules? I'm struggling to find any!

[Jaydee1507 Administrator in reply to Molly161018]

The ones I have are Jarrow but can be slightly more expensive than some others.

I believe SeasideSusie is using these at the moment to top up a bit. They say Folic Acid but are in fact Methylfolate. Looks like a good price.

amazon.co.uk/Vegavero%C2%AE...

[Molly161018 in reply to Jaydee1507]

Thank you so much 😊

[Molly161018 in reply to Jaydee1507]

Sorry one other question, what is optimal level for folate? Medichecks just say >3.89 but that doesn't really give you anything to aim for!!

[Jaydee1507 Administrator in reply to Molly161018]

Some say over 50% of range, others say around 20 which is where I like mine.

[Molly161018 in reply to Jaydee1507]

Ok that's helpful thanks 👍

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Just to point out that K1 is the blood clotting form of Vit K (the one they give newborn babies to prevent a now rare bleeding disorder called 'vitamin K deficiency bleeding' or 'haemorrhagic disease of the newborn'). Anyone on a blood thinning medication would have to be very careful and consider whether they should take any supplement containing K1.

The amount of iron is miniscule really, even "gentle iron" contains 20mg per tablet/capsule.

[Molly161018 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thanks seasidesusie, helpful reply as always 👍

[bagpuss61]

I take spirulina and its really helped my iron levels a lot, plus its full of nutrition. I take six a day of the spirulina tabs that are 100% pure and so does my husband. its excellent stuff!

[Molly161018 in reply to bagpuss61]

Thanks bagpuss61 that's very interesting to hear first hand experience...do you think it makes you feel better generally? Some people say it helps with weight loss too? Have you noticed any other effects?

[bagpuss61]

Yes it makes me feel alot better and with eating fresh greens 3 x day my iron levels have increased, my weight is just right for my size. I have not been overweight since changing my diet. Its my understanding that it also removes heavy metals and toxins, and my head feels a lot less fuzzy than it used to. I also work on gently cleaning my liver, with things like milk thistle and occasional castor oil packs.

[ElRR]

I'm sorry I can't give you information on spirulina, but in case it helps, I successfully use nutritional yeast to give my b vitamin levels a boost. Holland and Barrett have a nice store brand. And honestly, now I just like adding to all sorts of things for a flavour boost