The short answer to your question is, yes, it is safe to take spirulina during pregnancy. If you are pregnant, spirulina can be a good food supplement to keep your iron and protein levels up. Many nutritionists caution against using it during the gestation period but the truth is that if you find a product that is organic and natural, spirulina will be very beneficial to your health. This oneHOWTO article will show you how to take spirulina while pregnant and let you know about the pros and cons of this nutritious algae.
It is recommended to consult your doctor before taking spirulina while pregnant to learn the proper dose and the brand that is recommended in your case. Note that the blue-green algae must come from ecological and organic crops to avoid the presence of heavy metals like mercury and harmful pesticides.
It is normal to ask yourself if you can take spirulina during pregnancy. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding are recommended to never eat fresh fish: fish must be previously frozen to kill any residue that could harm the baby and cause birth defects. Mercury is one of the residues and can be found in vegetables such as spirulina.
Therefore, before taking this dietary supplement during pregnancy, it is vital that you make sure that it is organic and residue-free. In natural food stores you can easily find these products although, as a rule, it is advisable to talk to your doctor so he or she can tell you which one is the best.
Once you have natural and organic spirulina in your hands, you should know that it is highly beneficial to pregnant women because it is a very powerful nutritional supplement and is also one of the best super foods for pregnancy:
Spirulina is high in protein
This plant provides 34 times more protein than liver, thanks to the amount of amino acid spirulina contains. During pregnancy, protein will help your baby grow its organs and help your own body accommodate to they baby, especially during the second and third trimester. Pregnant women need from 40 to 70 grams of protein a day, and spirulina is around 50 to 70% protein in its totality, making up to 5.92 g protein per 100 grams.
Spirulina is high in calcium
Dried spirulina has 120 mg of calcium per 100g, which means it has 400% more calcium than soya beans. Therefore, it will be a great aid for vegan pregnant mothers. Combining spirulina with calcium-fortified products will improve your calcium intake while getting all of the other nutrients mentioned.
Spirulina is high in B12
Apart from having other important vitamin B types such as riboflavin, B6 and niacin. This will not only boost your daily nutrient intake, but will help prevent spina bifida and other nervous birth defects in the baby. Moreover, we have some good news, spirulina has more vitamin B12 than any food, even eggs.
Spirulina is high in Beta Carotene
Spirulina has 20 times more beta carotene than carrots. But why is it important during pregnancy? because beta carotene is transformed into vitamin A, when the body converts it into retinol. As women need around 750 mcg of vitamin A during pregnancy, spirulina will also help repair any mucous membranes, thus protecting the unborn child.
Spirulina is high in iron
Iron deficiency is one of the most common problems afflicting pregnant women, and it affects both mother and baby. Therefore, during this period it is important to keep up your iron levels and spirulina is a great natural supplement that is rich in this mineral.
If a woman has low iron levels this can directly affect the baby's development, resulting in a lower birth weight. The mother may also have a lowered immune system and therefore be more predisposed to disease. Therefore, it is important to keep your iron levels under control during this period and spirulina is an ideal supplement to achieve that goal.
People with anemia are usually treated with products containing spirulina because it increases the level of iron in the blood. Vegetarians and vegans also take it for its high protein content. Read this oneHOWTO article What are the properties of spirulina to learn all of its health benefits.
If you've decided to take spirulina during pregnancy you should know that there are different ways of to take it. The simplest and most common way is to go to a health food store and buy ready-made tablets of this blue-green algae; but if you prefer to take a more natural way you can choose to buy powder and mix it into your recipes, such as green juices or sauce. You can also make a spirulina shake. The recommended daily amount is amount is 300 mg per day.
Another common question that comes up is if it is safe to take Chinese medicine or Chyawanprash. Again, please remember it is very important to consult a doctor before adding this seaweed to your diet if you are pregnant. Your doctor knows your nutritional needs, the progress of your pregnancy and your overall health better than anyone else.
You should also know that spirulina for fertility is also used. This is because this algae is high in antioxidants, which when taken by both men and women, will improve the health of sperm and the woman's eggs, which is why it is said it improves fertility. Some people can't tell the difference between spirulina and chlorella. The fact is tha clhlorella can also be sued during pregnancy and is also a great super food, though for many different reasons.
This article is merely informative, oneHOWTO does not have the authority to prescribe any medical treatments or create a diagnosis. We invite you to visit your doctor if you have any type of condition or pain.
If you want to read similar articles to Is it Safe to Take Spirulina During Pregnancy? - The Answer, we recommend you visit our Family health category.