Algae supplements are often marketed for their abilities to boost your immune system and promote healthy joints. It's also been claimed that algae can be used to treat viruses and cancer, but there is little scientific evidence to support such uses. Algae do contain a variety of vitamins, minerals and micronutrients that may make them a beneficial addition to your diet in moderate doses.
Identification
Algae have been on the earth for 3 billion years, with an estimated 10 million algal species believed to exist, according to "Algae Industry Magazine." Algae are simple chlorophyll-containing organisms that can be one-celled organisms or large, multicellular seaweeds. Many different types are sold in supplement form, although the most common are red marine algae, called dulse, blue-green algae, spirulina and chlorella.
Nutrition
Algae have high levels of protein, vitamins A, C and E, the minerals iodine, calcium, potassium, iron, selenium and zinc and also trace nutrients. Spirulina contains gamma linolenic acid, a polyunsaturated fatty acid, as well as polysaccharides called fucoidans that may possess anti-cancer activity. Algae supplements come in powder, tablet and frozen liquid form.
Health Benefits
Areas with the highest consumption of algae tend to have the lowest rates of thyroid goiters, which is attributed to the iodine in the algae. Clinical trials have investigated algae's potential benefits but have not produced consistent results. There is limited evidence, however, that suggests various types of algae may be able to improve lung function in asthma patients, fasting blood sugar in diabetics, improve cholesterol and lipid profiles and boost the immune system. According to the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, algae have also demonstrated the ability to kill cancer cells in the lab.
Recommendations
There hasn't been enough research on the effects of algae supplements in humans to determine a recommended dosage or preferred type of algal supplement to take, although spirulina has been studied in daily doses of 1 to 10 g. Avoid taking algae supplements if you are pregnant or nursing. Children and patients with phenylketonuria should also avoid algae supplements.
Side Effects
Although generally considered safe in moderate doses, some blue-green algae supplements were shown to be contaminated with microcystins, toxic metals and harmful bacteria that caused liver and kidney damage. Health Canada tested several supplements and found that those containing only spirulina were not contaminated. Minor side effects from algae supplements can include headache, nausea, vomiting, muscle pain, facial flushing, sweating, anxiety and insomnia. Taking spirulina with calcium supplements may increase blood calcium to unsafe levels.
References
- "Algae Industry Magazine"; What's it all about Algae?; April 2010
- Monterey Bay Aquarium: Edible Algae
- Drugs.com: Spirulina
- European Food Information Council; Seaweed -- Exploring Its Dietary Value; October 2008
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center; Blue-Green Algae; March 2009
- MedlinePlus: Spirulina
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