Premium Spirulina

Premium Spirulina is a dietary supplement manufactured in Taiwan for Coral Club. Each tablet contains 500 mg of spirulina (Spirulina platensis), cultivated using organic methods, without preservatives or fillers according to Coral Club. The supplement facts panel gives 1,000 mg per serving of two tablets. The label directs two tablets two times a day with meals — 2 g of spirulina a day — so a bottle of 200 tablets lasts 50 days.

Coral Club states that spirulina supports immune health, normal metabolism and cholesterol levels already within the normal range, and provides naturally occurring carotenoids that support the body's antioxidant defenses.*

What spirulina is

Spirulina is a blue-green microalga — strictly, a cyanobacterium — now classified as Arthrospira. It has been eaten as a food for centuries and is grown commercially in controlled ponds. Dried spirulina is rich in protein and naturally contains the blue pigment phycocyanin, beta-carotene and other carotenoids, chlorophyll, iron and B vitamins. At 2 g a day, however, its contribution to protein and most nutrients is small — a little over 1 g of protein — so spirulina is best seen as an addition to a varied diet rather than a meaningful protein source.

Spirulina and chlorella

Spirulina is often compared with chlorella, another microalga sold as tablets. The two are different organisms: chlorella is a green alga with a tough cell wall, while spirulina is a cyanobacterium with a softer cell wall. Coral Club offers both; they are not interchangeable in composition.

Quality and safety

Because spirulina grows in water, it can be contaminated with toxins produced by other cyanobacteria (microcystins) or with heavy metals if cultivation is poorly controlled. A United States Pharmacopeia safety evaluation concluded that spirulina is generally safe when it meets quality standards for these contaminants. The card does not publish contaminant testing results.

Who should check first

• Pregnancy and nursing: Coral Club directs consulting a healthcare practitioner.
• Phenylketonuria: spirulina is a protein source containing phenylalanine.
• Autoimmune conditions or immunosuppressants: spirulina is studied for effects on the immune system; consult a physician first.
• Warfarin: spirulina contains vitamin K.

Dietary notes and storage

Coral Club labels Premium Spirulina gluten free, free of soy and suitable for vegetarians. Shelf life is 3 years. Store in a dry place at room temperature, out of reach of children. Do not use if the safety seal is broken or missing.