Can Iron In Spirulina Treat Anemia?

Are you pregnant or have a child under five years? If yes, there is at least a 40% chance that you are anemic. This blood condition is one of the most prevalent, affecting about 6% of the US population. Often dietary changes like iron supplementation may help treat the issue.

One of the most preferred supplements is spirulina. Now, can iron in spirulina treat anemia?

Spirulina may be a good option if you are looking for a natural way to fight anemia. This blue-green alga is a rich source of iron. The iron in spirulina may help treat anemia by improving the health of your RBCs. 

Spirulina is also a good source of protein and other essential nutrients, making it an excellent addition to your diet.

What Is Anemia?

Anemia is when the body lacks adequate healthy RBCs for tissue oxygen supply. Anemia can cause tiredness, skin paleness, and short breath. 

A doctor diagnoses anemia based on your family and medical histories, test results, and physical examinations. Since anemia tends to show few symptoms, the practitioner may detect it while seeking something else.

There are numerous anemia kinds, each with a unique cause. Anemia can be either temporary or chronic. It varies in severity.

The most prevalent anemia stems from iron inadequacy. Iron helps in creating hemoglobin, an RBC element that transmits oxygen. 

Iron deficiency anemia is common in women of childbearing age and children. It can also occur in people with bleeding disorders or who take blood-thinning medication.

Other anemias include:

• Vitamin deficiency anemia due to an undersupply of vitamins, like vitamin B12 or folic acid.
• Aplastic anemia occurs when there is blood cell underproduction in the bone marrow.
• Sickle cell anemia is a type of hemoglobinopathy affecting RBCs.
• Thalassemia-induced anemia: arises from a mishap in the production of hemoglobin.

How Spirulina Can Be Used To Treat Anemia

Fresh spirulina is a rich source of iron, with just 7g providing 2mg of this essential mineral.  It provides a highly bioavailable form of iron. It is easily absorbable by the body and can increase iron levels in the blood.

Besides the high spirulina iron content, this alga contains other essential nutrients for producing healthy RBCs. These include vitamin B6, folic acid, and copper. These nutrients work together to help the body produce more RBCs and improve the function of existing cells.

To use spirulina to lower anemia effects, take 10g daily in your preferred spirulina form. That should provide you with about 80% of your iron requirements. Begin with less spirulina if you are yet to get acclimatized and raise amounts slowly.

How Much Iron Should I Consume Each Day?

Healthy daily iron intake relies on your gender and age. However, children have similar average requirements irrespective of gender. Here’s the iron intake breakdown.

Years	Amount
0-0.5	0.27 mg
0.6-1	11.0mg
1-3	7.0mg
4-8	10.0mg
9-13	8.0mg
14-18	Boys- 11.0mgGirls- 15.0mg
19+	Men and 51+-year-old women- 8.0mg19-50-year women- 18.0mg

Best Spirulina – Our Top Picks!

Lost for choices? You won’t go wrong with these superb spirulina supplements.

Nutrex Hawaii, Pure Hawaiian Spirulina

The idea of getting spirulina from Hawaii appeals to us. We love their use of only organic spirulina. You get 400 500mg tablets that can serve you for several weeks. Not only is this option free of artificial additives, but it also is perfect for vegan enthusiasts.

Sunlit Best Green Organics Spirulina Tablets

The spirulina tablets of Sunlit Best are cold-pressed and made from 100% raw and organic ingredients. If you are looking for a nutrient-dense superfood, I would recommend trying our spirulina. It is made of 60% protein, and packed with vitamins, amino acids, fiber, minerals, and enzymes. 

Organic Spirulina Supplement

Micro Ingredient is an excellent choice if you need as many tablets as possible at the least cost available. The pack is not as budget-friendly as Now Foods but offers the best value for money. With up to 720 500mg tablets, you can enjoy your supplements for months.

Now Foods Organic Spirulina Tablets

These tablets are a great option for those looking for an affordable, high-quality spirulina supplement. You get the same 500mg tablets as Nutrex Hawaii. However, Now Foods offers 100 more tablets ensuring you get more for less.

Spirulina Anaemia FAQS: What Everyone Wants to Know in a Nutshell

Is Spirulina Rich in Iron?

Spirulina is rich in iron and bests many foods in iron content. A study discovered that spirulina has 27% more ferritin formation than wheat flour and yeast. Moreover, the iron availability per microgram of the alga was 6.5 times more than in beef.

Is Spirulina Good for Anemia?

Spirulina is good for anemia, though it may be inadequate to solve this issue alone. It has rich iron reserves and can help enhance anemia symptoms. You can also use spirulina for psoriasis, fibromyalgia, cardiovascular conditions, acne, and more. 

How Much Spirulina Should I Take Daily for Iron Deficiency?

You should take around 10g of spirulina daily for iron deficiency. This amount provides 80% of the needed daily iron intake. Gradually raise your dosage rather than getting 10g of spirulina daily from scratch.

Does Spirulina Increase Blood?

Spirulina increases blood hemoglobin. A study discovered that the superfood enhanced hemoglobin content while lowering heart rate and augmenting power output in cyclists.

Can Iron Supplements Cause Bloating?

Iron supplements can cause bloating as this element is hard on the GI tract. Users may also experience nausea, gas, and other gut reactions.

Conclusion

You can use spirulina for iron deficiency as it is an efficient way of increasing iron levels in the blood. It contains a form of iron that is highly bioavailable, meaning that the body can easily use it. 

Besides, spirulina can help to improve the body’s ability to use iron by enhancing the production of RBC. It has other elements like folic acid and vitamin B6, vital in RBC production.

So, did you order one of our recommendations above yet? Get your favorite from our picks and improve your health in many ways. If you’d rather rear your spirulina culture, visit our intensive guide on how to grow spirulina for easy tips.