Symptoms of anxiety can be crippling, leaving you unable to function normally in everyday life. While a number of treatments are thought to help improve symptoms of anxiety, some practitioners believe in the efficacy of natural supplements such as spirulina. In his book, "Conscious Eating," Dr. Gabriel Cousens suggests that green concentrate foods such as spirulina may help anxiety due to high concentration of magnesium. Always consult your doctor before using any dietary supplement.
About Spirulina
Spirulina is a type of blue-green algae typically marketed as a superfood due to its high nutritional content. Some patients use spirulina and other forms of blue-green algae to prevent and treat cancer, to alleviate fatigue, as an appetite suppressant and to treat a number of additional physical and mental conditions, according to Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. The exact mechanism of spirulina's action is unclear, although it is high in magnesium, vitamins A and E, all essential amino acids and certain B vitamins. While some practitioners believe spirulina may also have a beneficial effect on anxiety, there is little clinical evidence to support this claim. Spirulina is available as a commercially-prepared supplement in powder, tablet and capsule form.
Facts about Anxiety
Although anxiety is a normal response to fear and stress, persistent feelings of anxiety can lead to the development of anxiety disorders. Anxiety disorders can cause a severe impact on your life, through symptoms such as insomnia, feelings of constant dread and fear, worry, tension, nervousness and panic attacks. Certain treatments such as psychotherapy, biofeedback and medication, can offer some help. An increasing number of patients, however, are seeking natural, alternative and holistic methods of decreasing anxiety through the use of superfoods such as spirulina. Although there's not much evidence to support these claims, spirulina may help decrease anxiety due to its high magnesium content. A study published in 2006 in the journal, "Medical Hypotheses," states that a magnesium deficiency may contribute to anxiety and related symptoms such as irritability, depression, fatigue and hyperexcitability.
Evidence
While there's not much evidence that spirulina can help anxiety in humans, a few studies on animals show limited benefits. A study published in 2003 in the "ISHS Acta Horticulturae", a publication of the International Society for Horticultural Science, showed that spirulina has an anti-stress effect in rats exposed to induced stress conditions in a laboratory setting. A review published in the March 2008 "Medical Journal of Australia," however, found no clinical evidence to support claims of spirulina's anti-anxiety benefits in children and adolescents suffering from anxiety. No research has been conducted on human study participants. More research is needed to fully evaluate the effect of spirulina on symptoms of anxiety in humans.
Considerations
While spirulina may provide some benefit to patients suffering from anxiety, you should never use a dietary supplement to self-treat your symptoms. Do not attempt to self-diagnose your condition. Consult your doctor for a proper diagnosis. Anxiety disorders can become worse if left untreated. Spirulina may cause unpleasant side effects such as nausea, vomitting and other more serious, yet rare, reactions. As with any dietary supplement, Inform your doctor if you choose to use spirulina.
References
- "Conscious Eating"; Gabriel Cousens, MD; 2000
- Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center: Blue-green Algae
- "Medical Hypotheses"; Rapid Recovery from Major Depression Using Magnesium Treatment; G. Eby and K. Eby; 2006
- "ISHS Acta Horticulturae"; Prevention of Cold Stress Induced Adrenal Hypertrophy by Spirulina Platensis; R.S. Nachankar, et al; 2003
- "Medical Journal of Australia"; Effectiveness of Complementary and Self-Help Treatments for Anxiety in Children and Adolescents; R. Parslow, et al; March 2008
