Spirulina is a type of blue-green algae that is touted as a super food. It is one of the supplements I use frequently. I feel like it gives me more energy, but it has also been reported to have a number of health giving benefits. As long as the product you use is pure, it should be safe and pose a little risk of side effects. In fact, the World Health Organization endorses its use as a food supplement and source of protein for people who are undernourished.

The safest way to incorporate Spirulina into your diet is to buy it at your local health food store, or online. Just be sure it has been certified to be free from mycrocystins and any other contaminants. Spirulina can be expensive though, so I have found a good way to buy it is in the bulk herb section of my health food store. It is cheaper that way, plus I can buy a week or several days’ worth at a time rather than having to buy a full month’s supply in a prepackaged container.

How you take it is a matter of personal preference. You can put it in capsules so you can’t taste it, or you can mix it into a smoothie, beverage, or mix it in with food. I prefer mixing it with a smoothie or pudding-like food such as applesauce or yogurt. The taste isn’t too bad once you get used to it. It does have a dark green color though that can stain whatever it touches, like your lips!

Although mainstream medicine doesn’t endorse spirulina as any type of cure-all, it has been used in alternative medicine to treat a wide variety of ailments such as oral pre-cancerous lesions, ADHD, diabetes, PMS, fatigue, depression, wound healing, digestion, heart disease, and low immune function. It has also been found to be a good source of vitamin B12, protein, and iron.