The Safest & Best Spirulina Brands (From Organic Sources)
Dark greenish-blueish in color, funky smell, tastes gross - or exotic, depending on your perspective.
Yep, that’s spirulina.
But when you think about all the benefits of taking it, who cares? Spirulina is a great way to get in some extra protein, fatty acids, and other nutrients.
More on this in a bit...
Yes, it is a type of algae, which may make you feel a little squeamish - but you don't need to wolf down huge spoonfuls of nasty slimy stuff to enjoy the plethora of nutritional properties.
The top products are in the form of dried powders & tablets and depending on which type of supplement you get, it will be easy to swallow.
You do need to be discerning about where you get your spirulina from. There are a lot of companies trying to cash in on people’s desire to be healthier.
What is the safest, vegan-friendly, and overall best spirulina brand you may ask? We’ve provided you with a list of the best brands that meet quality and safety requirements below.
And if you find yourself at the health food store right now, there is a full buying guide at the bottom of the page on how to pick the right option from the shelf.
Quick Picks
- If you prefer powder: Soul Organics Organic Spirulina Powder
- If you prefer tablets: Triqueta Health Organic Spirulina Tablets
- If you don’t want to burn a hole in your pocket: BioOptimal Organic Spirulina Tablets
The Best Spirulina Supplements
1. Soul Organics Organics Spirulina Powder
Our Verdict: Best Organic Spirulina Powder
Soul Organics Organic Spirulina Powder is USDA, Naturland, and Ecocert certified organic as well as USP verified. It’s 100% pure, non-irradiated, and vegan-friendly. By this alone, you already know that you are going to get a good product.
The recommended dose is one teaspoon which 3g (3000mg) but you can take half that as you can easily adjust your dose and still benefit from it a lot. A full dose each time works out to about 75 servings. It may improve energy levels and overall health.
Aside from the flavor and the fact that it makes everything green, some people may be put off by the fact that this spirulina is derived from India. However, safety has been verified. The bag is also a little bit hard to seal. This product is quite expensive, so if you are on a tight budget it can be a bit of a struggle to buy it.
Ingredients:
- Spirulina Powder - 100% Certified Organic Spirulina
Pros:
- USDA, Naturland & Ecocert certified organic and USP verified
- Vegan-friendly
- 100% pure organic spirulina
- Non-irradiated
- At a serving size of 1 teaspoon per day, there are roughly 75 servings
Cons:
- The bag is a little hard to seal.
- Grown in Southern India, but the safety is verified.
2. Triqueta Health Organic Spirulina Tablets
Our Verdict: Best Organic Spirulina Tablets
If you prefer tablets to powder, the Triqueta Health Organic Spirulina Tablets are a great option. They are USDA, Naturland, OCIA and Ecocert certified organic as well as USP verified and California Proposition 65 Approved. They are halal and vegan-friendly.
These tablets are pure non-irradiated spirulina powder cold-pressed into tablet form and while you can’t get away from the smell, it gets you out of tasting spirulina with every sip. They may help boost energy levels, and ease bloating and allergies.
This brand can be rather pricey but each tablet is 500mg. You can take one tablet instead of the recommended four and still benefit greatly from them. At four tablets a day, the bottle, which is glass, contains 30 servings. Despite coming from India, the safety of the tablets have been verified.
Ingredients:
- Organic Spirulina
Pros:
- USDA, Naturland, OCIA & Ecocert certified organic and USP verified
- California Proposition 65 Approved
- Halal and vegan-friendly.
- Pure non-irradiated spirulina cold-pressed into tablet form (500mg per tablet)
- 4 tablets per day = 30 servings.
Cons:
- Grown in India, and although the safety is verified this may put some customers off.
3. Micro Ingredients Organic Spirulina Powder
Our Verdict: Best Spirulina Powder
Micro Ingredients Organic Spirulina Powder is USDA certified organic pure non-irradiated spirulina powder. It’s kosher and vegan-friendly. Some people have said that the flavor is milder than some other brands which may make it easier to consume.
This spirulina powder may help to ease allergies and help you to feel more energetic and alert. The handy scoop will give you one serving (3g/3000mg) which you can take up to twice a day and it’s easy to adjust your dose lower if you prefer. The powder can, however, be a bit messy. One scoop per day works out to 151 servings.
The spirulina is sourced from Taiwan, but there is no mention of any testing being done to ensure that it’s free from heavy metal contaminants but there is a statement that it has been grown in uncontaminated water.
Ingredients:
- Organic Spirulina
Pros:
- USDA certified organic
- Vegan-friendly and kosher
- Pure non-irradiated spirulina
- At 1 scoop per day (3g) as a serving, there are 151 servings
Cons:
- The powder can be quite messy.
- Sourced from Taiwan
- No tests indicated, just a statement that it has been grown in uncontaminated water
4. Zhou Spirulina Tablets
Our Verdict: Best Locally Grown Option
Zhou Spirulina Tablets use spirulina grown in a remote part of California and carry the GMP (good manufacturing practices) badge. They are vegan-friendly, halal, and kosher and can boost energy levels, strengthen the immune system, and improve focus.
Each tablet is 500mg and the recommended dose is six tablets. You can easily adjust your dose to suit you. At six tablets per serving, there are 30 servings per bottle.
If you prefer your supplements free from binders, fillers, and additives, be aware that these tablets contain vegetarian cellulose, magnesium stearate, and silica though these are considered safe as far as research goes. Zhou says when asked that their spirulina is tested in a third-party lab for contaminants and toxins.
So while not certified organic, which they say is due to the types of organic fertilizers available in the U.S. which are not vegan-friendly and contain harmful bacteria, they are free from pesticides, herbicides, and GMO. Zhou welcomes any questions and has good customer service.
Ingredients:
- Spirulina
Pros:
- Vegan-friendly, halal and kosher
- No pesticides, herbicides, or GMO (genetically modified organisms)
- Grown in a remote part of California and has a GMP (good manufacturing practices) badge
- Recommended dose is 6 tablets (3g/3000mg) = 30 servings per bottle
Cons:
- Not certified organic
- Zhou states that they test for contaminants but there is no stamp on the bottle
5. BioOptimal Organic Spirulina Tablets
Our Verdict: Best Budget Buy
As more affordable brands go, this one is great. BioOptimal Organic Spirulina Tablets are USDA, EU, Naturland and Ecocert organic certified, they are GMP certified, vegan, and each batch is tested for safety. The tablets are pure spirulina dried using a low heat and pressed into tablets.
They may help to ease allergies, improve digestive health, and improve energy levels. Each tablet is 500mg and the recommended dose is four tablets (2g), and you can easily adjust your dose. A daily serving of four tablets yields 30 servings.
The only drawback for some is that the spirulina is sourced from Southern India but as safety has been verified this is not a problem.
Ingredients:
- Spirulina: 100% Certified USDA Organic (Arthrospira platensis)
Pros:
- USDA, EU, Naturland and Ecocert organic certified and GMP certified
- Vegan-friendly.
- Pure organic spirulina.
- At 2g per serving, there are 30 servings (dose is easily adjusted)
- It’s one of the more affordable brands
Cons:
- This product is from Southern India but each batch is tested to verify safety
How to Choose the Best Spirulina Supplement
Whenever possible, go organic. Any brand that you choose should have their spirulina go through tests to confirm safety and quality.
You should also make sure that it is sourced from clean water as spirulina is great at absorbing toxins.
Only go with reputable brands who are willing to disclose the source of their product.
The best source of spirulina is harvested from contaminant-free water that hasn’t been exposed to radiation. This is a common problem with spirulina coming from China due to the leftover radiation in the water from wars.
You also want to double check for binders and fillers which are commonly used in tablets and capsules.
Gelatin is a typical one, but there are also some other unsavory additives:
- Artificial colors
- Sodium
- Titanium dioxide
- Magnesium silicate
- Sodium benzoate
How to Use This Potent Alga
This depends on the form. If you have tablets or capsules you would take them with water or juice. If it’s in powder form you can add it to smoothies, juice, water, and even tea.
You can also add the powder to non-baked treats. Less so than with wheatgrass powder, the algae flavor is an acquired taste (almost like sulfuric seaweed or slightly fishy) so bear that in mind when incorporating it in your concoctions.
You can easily find a few online recipes that you can use the powder in to make it taste better. Just be aware that heating the spirulina destroys some of the nutrients so avoid baking or cooking with it.
Should You Chew the Tablets?
You may have heard that you should chew the tablets. This can help your digestive system out a little when it comes to breaking down the nutrients. For more digestive help, check out our dedicated page for the best vegan digestive enzymes.
But unlike chlorella, another type of algae, spirulina doesn’t have rigid cell walls.
If you want to be on the safe side, chewing your tablets is absolutely fine. But if you prefer not to, your body will probably not have a problem digesting them.
Dosage
The dosage will vary from person to person. You can safely take up to about 3000mg per day but you can also benefit from doses as low as 500mg.
The supplement you choose will likely have its own recommendations which will be a good guideline.
Some people do use more than 3000mg and don’t experience negative effects, but you don’t need to go so high unless advised by a doctor or naturopath.
Whatever dose you choose to take, be sure to never take more than recommended on the package or by a trusted health professional.
Start at a low dose and work your way up as some people may experience an upset tummy if the dose is too high at first, as your system may need time to adjust.
Is There Any Reason to Avoid Spiri?
While there are benefits for everyone, spirulina is not recommended if:
- You are pregnant.
- You are breastfeeding.
- You have phenylketonuria.
- You have a bleeding disorder.
- You have an autoimmune disease (e.g lupus, sjögren's syndrome, celiac disease,
- ankylosing spondylitis, rheumatoid arthritis, etc).
- Are on immunosuppressant medication.
- Are on medication or herbs that thin the blood.
- If you have a spirulina allergy (it is rare, but it does exist).
The Benefits of Spirulina
Time to dig into the good stuff!
Let's go over the top reasons why you should utilize this potent powder (or tablet!).
Nutrition Facts
Spirulina has an extensive nutritional profile. It contains:
- Protein. In fact, it’s a complete protein meaning it has all 9 essential amino acids that our bodies can’t produce and has to take in through food. Also, it contains the highest protein by weight for almost compound on our planet.
- Fatty acids including the ALA (alpha linoleic acid) form of omega 3 and various omega 6 fatty acids including GLA (gamma linoleic acid) which is important for skin health and hormone balance.
- Vitamins A, E, B1, B2, B3, B6, B12, C, folate, and biotin.
- Minerals including iron, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, copper, chrome, sodium, potassium, and manganese.
- Microflora (vegan probiotics, the good bacteria).
Additional Health Properties
Along with the above nutrients, spirulina has anti-inflammatory properties and is a powerful antioxidant.
Studies show that it may help to:
- Lower cholesterol.
- Lower triglyceride levels.
- Lower the risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and other liver problems.
- Keep blood sugar levels under control.
- Bind and remove heavy metals and other toxins from the body if taken before meals.
- Lower the risk of cancer.
- Speed up healing and reduce pain.
- Increase energy levels, stamina, and help the body to use that energy efficiently - especially during exercise.
- Improve gut health.
For most people, supplementing with spirulina is great. But be aware that if you are already pretty healthy and don’t struggle with energy problems you might not experience a dramatic change.
This doesn’t mean that you aren’t benefitting from it.
Powerful antioxidants are important for everyone and you can still benefit from improving your gut health.
A Word of Caution
As with most saltwater plants, iodine and iron levels tend to run high. While these are healthy nutrients and our bodies do need them, getting too much of them is just as bad as not getting enough.
Never exceed the recommended dosage unless recommended and approved by your doctor or a trained and certified naturopath or dietician.
If you are on a low dose but struggle with digestive trouble or any other symptoms (e.g. a rash), you may have an allergy or sensitivity to spirulina. If it has been persisting for more than a week or so, spirulina may not be for you.
That's All, Folks
Have you tried spirulina? What did you think? Please let us know in the comment section and tell us what your favorite brand is.
Last Updated on February 10, 2020
