Hi all,

I was just curious to see if anyone out there has tried spirullina (I don't know if that's spelled right). It's a blue-green algae "SuperFood." A friend of mine in the UK has it in her smoothies every morning. I was visiting her last week and had one of her smoothies every morning for a week and I swear I felt supremely awake and energized within an hour of drinking it.

Psychological effect or the "real thing?" I dunno.

I'm pretty much veggie-impared and thought it might be a good way to get my B-complex vitamins plus some extra protein.

Any thoughts, opinions, or experiences with this stuff?

Thanks!

I personally have not tried it, but it has been a common supplement for many years.

Berkeley Wellness (University of California) and Intelihealth (Harvard University) both say the benefits are not proven and it should never been given to children. Also, it is an algae, and PDR Health says it can be contaminated with mercury.

http://www.pdrhealth.com/drug_info/n...spi_0239.shtml

http://wellnessletter.com/html/ds/dsBlueGreenAlgae.php

http://www.intelihealth.com/IH/ihtIH...l?d=dmtContent

If you do decide to take it, I'd recommend getting it from reputable brands, and perhaps start with low dosages to watch for side effects. If you are taking any prescription medications, you should ask your doctor for advice because the resources above said it can interact with medications.

I'd love to know what all was in that smoothie, though, I could sure use something like that

Thanks for the advice (and links), Suzanne! I'll definitely do more research!

The smoothie was 1 pear, 1 banana, apple juice (freshly juiced) , pro-biotic yogurt, and a teaspoon of spirulina. Yummy and seemed like a real shot in the arm. It was GREEN, tho, due to the spirulina, so that was a bit interesting. Why is it that green beverages seem so abnormal?

I used to take it in Oz, in smoothies. I haven't tried it here yet (I'm in the UK) at the time I wasn't trying to lose weight, I was reading a book by Dr Sandra Cabot and she recommended it. It does turn your smoothie an alarming green, and kinda tastes of the sea, which is a bit bizarre mixed with bananas!!! I like it better in veggie juices. I should get some next time I am in the health food store! I found it helped my energy levels.

Hi kykaree,

My friend (in Derbyshire, by the way ) read about spirulina in Dr. Gillian McKeith's "You Are What You Eat" book. Have you read it? I was actually going to post this very question in the UK Chicks section (even though I'm a Yank ) because I'd love to hear if anyone has followed her program and what kind of results they've had. I may post there in a minute.

I haven't heard A THING about the book here in the States, but I'm under the impression that it's becoming a big thing in the UK because of her TV show.

The only pieces of advice of Dr. McKeith's I've managed to follow are: (1) spirulina, (2) aduki beans, and (3) chewing my food more thoroughly !

I know you can get spirulina at Holland & Barrett, if that helps.

- Kate (former Buxton, Derbyshire resident!!)