Dr. Joel Wallach, BS, DVM, ND

Question - I take spirulina from the upper part of Klamath lake. It's supposed to be the finest quality Blue-Green algae in the world. I feel noticeable better when I take it. Are you telling me that product isn't worthwhile?

Dr. Wallach It's a great source of anti-oxidants, beta carotene, Chlorophyll, a small amount of Vitamin E. Those are all the positive things about it. But when you look at the research that the military did in the 30's and 40's, trying to use Blue-Green algae as a food supplement for the troops in their breads and biscuits, they realized that when you put people through great physical and/or emotional stresses, you needed the best nutrition possible. And they wanted to get as much as possible into compact GI rations. So they tried it.  

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But concluded that to get the minimum daily amount, you'd need to take two pounds per day of pure Blue-Green algae. That would give you everything you needed.

They tested and tested, but they could not get anyone above 50 grams a day without getting major digestive upsets: Gas, stomach cramping, bowel pain, diarrhea. So they dropped the project, and concluded that as a sole supplement it doesn't work. Many articles were written in the 30's and 40's on that subject. If you are getting benefit from it take it, but please don't expect to get total supplementation from it .