Spirulina FAQ
Where is Synergy Natural Spirulina from?
Synergy Spirulina is grown on a remote sub-tropical Pacific Island. This is the only environmentally protected spring-fed Spirulina in the world. With fresh water being the medium on these micro algae grows, this is one of the most important factors in determining its quality and purity. Synergy Spirulina contains the world’s highest levels of key nutrients like beta carotene, chlorophyll and gamma-linoleic acid.
Are there any additives in your products?
Unlike most other brands, Synergy Natural Spirulina in its powder or tablet form is 100% pure without binders, additives or excipients, and is flushed with nitrogen to keep out the most damaging substance to Spirulina which is oxygen.
Synergy Spirulina products are the most natural spirulina products on the market. Synergy Spirulina powder is 100% natural and contains nothing more than Spirulina. Synergy Spirulina vegetarian capsules are filled with 100% Spirulina powder and contain no other added ingredients. Synergy Spirulina tablets are also 100% natural. Our unique tableting methods mean that no binders or fillers are used, which means that unlike most other Spirulina tablets on the market, Synergy Spirulina tablets are 100% pure.
How is the Synergy Spirulina manufactured?
Spirulina, a microscopic fresh-water micro-algae, is grown in a controlled high-sunshine, naturally warm, clean environment, well away from the pollution of densely-populated zones.
Spirulina-dense liquid is gently pumped into spray-driers and low-temperature dried into fine powder, then immediately hermetically vacuum-packed into 20 to 50kg bags.
Spirulina powder is simply packed straight into 100 g, 200g, 500g and 1kg bottles or jars. Tablets are made by special low-temperature direct-compression techniques in low-speed tableting machines to provide a pure tablet with no excipients and maximum purity. After counting they are packed into 100, 200, 500 1,000 and 2,000 tablet bottles or jars.
All Synergy Spirulina bottles are nitrogen-flushed prior to filling to minimise oxygen, thereby preserving the spirulina to provide low degradation and maximum shelf life. They are sealed with pressure-sensitive seals and capped with tamper-evident closures. Labels have both batch-codes and a maximum three-year expiry date printed before application to the bottles.
Is Synergy Spirulina safe?
Synergy Spirulina is grown in strictly monitored conditions and rigorously tested for fungal and bacterial contamination and heavy metals throughout the production process.
What is Spirulina?
Spirulina is nature’s richest and most complete source of total organic nutrition. This green superfood containing over 100 synergistic nutrients comes from a microscopic freshwater plant, ecologically grown without chemicals and concentrated by removing nothing but the water. Spirulina is used widely around the world as a food supplement for maintaining health, energy and optimum weight. It is considered to be one of the world’s most potent super foods.
What is in it?
Spirulina is the richest wholefood source found in nature of:
- Protein: 300% more than fish, meat or poultry, with NO cholesterol. Proteins are necessary for maintaining healthy tissues, sustaining growth and making hormones in the body. Spirulina contains the eight essential and 10 other amino acids and a greater concentration of vitamins and nutrients than any other natural food. Just 3 to10 grams a day gives impressive amounts of beta carotene, B complex vitamins, iron, essential trace minerals and gamma linolenic acid (GLA).
- Iron: 58x richer than spinach in bioavailable iron.
- Chlorophyll: 200% richer than barleygrass or wheatgrass
- Vitamin B12: often lacking in a vegetarian diet
- Anti-oxidants: 25x richer in beta-carotene (pro-vitamin A) than carrot and 3x richer in vitamin E than wheatgerm. Other cell protecting anti-oxidants present are phycocyanin, super oxide dismutase (SOD), mixed carotenoids, selenium, zinc and B vitamins.
- Spirulina assists weight loss by curbing appetite naturally.
- As an unrefined wholefood, Spirulina is absorbed up to 16x more effectively than synthetic multi-vitamin and mineral supplements.
Can vegetarians and vegans take Synergy Spirulina?
Synergy Spirulina products are of 100% vegetable origin including our Vegetarian Capsules which contain 100% Synergy Spirulina in capsules made from vegetarian cellulose. In fact Synergy Spirulina is the ideal food supplement for vegetarians and vegans as it provides a natural plant source of protein and is rich in other vitamins and minerals that vegetarians and vegans commonly lack in their diets such as iron and certain amino acids that other vegetable proteins lack.
Can women take Synergy Spirulina during pregnancy and breastfeeding?
Nutrition during these times is particularly important. Spirulina is, indeed, safe for both pregnancy and breast feeding. The common misunderstanding is that Spirulina contains too much Vitamin A, which can cause some problems. The good news, however, is that Synergy contains Pro-Vitamin A, otherwise known as Beta-carotene. This is a safe ‘pre-cursor’ form that allows the body to convert only what it needs to Vitamin A, thus avoiding the possible over-saturation of this oil-based vitamin.
As a freshwater plant which is concentrated by removing nothing but the water, Synergy Spirulina is 100% natural and as such will not cause excess problems with any particular vitamin or mineral. With Spirulina as with any other natural plant food, the body takes the nutrients it needs and discards what it doesn’t want unlike synthetically derived vitamins & minerals (most brands) which can contribute to vitamin and mineral imbalances.
The consumption quantities on our product’s label are safe levels during pregnancy or whilst breast feeding – it just depends how much you want to take to enjoy a boost in nutrient and energy levels.
Synergy Spirulina’s easy-to-digest protein and bio-available iron without any saturated fats is ideal for pregnant women. However, it is always advisable for pregnant women to consult their GP or other qualified health professional before taking any food supplements.
Can children take Synergy Spirulina?
Yes, spirulina is a 100% natural whole food so is safe for children of any age. However, supplements should always be administered by an adult and care should be taken to keep them out of the reach of children as extremely high doses of spirulina could result in an iron overdose.
As it is packed with concentrated nutrients, children need it as much as anyone during their growth spurts that require extra nutrients.
Dosage for Children:
As Spirulina is a 100% pure wholefood, we are not aware of any contraindications for children to enjoy the benefits of taking Synergy Spirulina. Unlike most supplements, it does not contain isolated nutrients made in processing facilities (even though many say 'natural' on the label) that may cause imbalances. Therefore any surplus nutrients from Spirulina that the body may not need can easily be excreted out of a regularly-functioning body without stress or risk of imbalance.
As with most superfoods and supplements, the general rule is half a normal adult dose. If they are nutrient deficient, they can take amounts closer to the adult dose. Teenagers already have the body of a small adult so can take amounts closer to the adult range and especially during the adolescent years.
It is good to be aware of any RARE reactions that could occur: over-detoxification (it is great to cleanse but not too fast), sleeplessness (take Synergy Spirulina earlier in the day to utilise the extra energy), beta-carotene saturation (safe, just watch for yellowing skin - too much carrot juice can have the same effect).
In practice, many thousands of people of all ages (even some infants) take Synergy Spirulina to great advantage, with no negative side-effects. It is, after all, an unadulterated natural wholefood grown under pristine controlled conditions, making it a very safe food.
You may enjoy similar benefits too, so consider drinking a smoothie with your children! This should also help them feel happier about taking Synergy Spirulina themselves!
Can I give Synergy Spirulina to my pet?
Synergy Spirulina is an excellent supplement for all cats, dogs, birds and fish. For cats and dogs give approximately 1% Synergy Spirulina powder of the total dry weight of their food. Give large cats and small dogs 1g, medium dogs 2g, large dogs 3g and giant dogs 6g or more.
How can I take Synergy Spirulina?
We offer 100% Spirulina in tablet, capsule or powder form. Both our tablets and capsules provide 500mg of Spirulina and, unlike other Spirulina products, contain no binders or fillers. Synergy Spirulina tablets and capsules are perfect for use in the home as well as when you are on the go. Synergy Spirulina powder is best used at home - sprinkled on food or mixed with your favourite fruit or juice for a delicious smoothie. Have a look at our recipes for more ideas.
What can it do for me?
In today’s world of over-refined, processed foods, we get few of the nutrients we require to function at our best. Without enough protein, vitamins, minerals and other nutrients to fuel and energise your body, the whole system becomes sluggish. As a complete, easily absorbed, highly concentrated food supplement, Spirulina can fill the nutrient gaps, helping you to maintain a healthier, more energetic lifestyle.
What nutrients does spirulina contain?
Spirulina is the ultimate natural nutritional supplement. It contains the most complete source of nutrients found in any single food. Synergy Spirulina typically contains over 65% protein, more than any other food including meat and fish.
How much Synergy Spirulina should I take?
Start-up: We recommend taking 2-4 tablets or capsules or 1 - 2g of powder with food each day for a week.
Maintenance: 6 tablets per day or 3 grams per day.
Optimum: 6 tablets or capsules or 3 grams powder, 3 times a day.
Best taken at or after meals with at least ½ cup fluid.
To curb appetite for natural weight control, consume 30-40 minutes before meals.
Synergy Spirulina powder can be sprinkled on food or mixed with your favourite fruit or juice for a delicious smoothie
It is not possible to overdose on Spirulina. However, reports have suggested that taking very large quantities may cause acidity, upset stomach, and diarrhoea.
What if I think I’m allergic to spirulina?
Humans can be allergic to almost any substance but the most common products people are most allergic to are nuts, eggs, dairy, shell fish and wheat. Being a microscopic freshwater plant, spirulina is not related to any of these foods and it is rare for anyone to be allergic to it.
To check if you might have an allergy to spirulina (or any food), start by excluding it from your diet for 2-4 weeks. Then introduce it again in small amounts and slowly increase the dosage. How much this small amount should be depends on how sensitive you are to various foods. A super sensitive person should trial the smallest amount possible, maybe something equivalent to 3 or 4 grains of sand. Some-one who is only sensitive to the odd product could start with 1/2 - 1 tablet (500mg) or 1/2 a gram of powder. Then keep increasing the amount daily until either a reaction occurs or a comfortable level is found without any reactions. No reactions = no allergy.
For those with allergies, we advise consulting a Naturopath, Chinese, Ayurvedic or Western Herbalist to determine and treat the root cause of your allergy.
Is it safe to take if I have diabetes?
Research studies with spirulina have shown that spirulina will assist the control of blood sugar levels so not only is it safe but also helpful for people with diabetes.
Will spirulina interfere with any medication?
As a 100% natural whole-food concentrate, spirulina has no known interactions with any drugs. Please note that Synergy Spirulina is a food and not a herb. Herbs can on the rare occasion interact with drugs; therefore the advice of a qualified herbalist or medical practitioner would be advised in that situation.
What is the difference between Premium and Organic?
Until 2005 Synergy Spirulina had not been a certified organic spirulina, although it has always been produced without pesticides or herbicides.
However, to satisfy customers wanting organic certification, we launched a certified organic Synergy Spirulina which surpasses the standards of all existing spirulina’s on the market in Australia, being the only spirulina meeting the higher international IFOAM and EU standards.
Our Synergy Organic Spirulina is the world’s only spirulina grown in environmentally protected mountain spring water. Besides enhancing its purity, it also endows it with the world’s highest known levels in a spirulina of chlorophyll, protein and beta-carotene. Synergy Organic Spirulina is tableted 100% pure without binders, additives or excipients and available at a realistic price, consistent with our value for money pricing policy with no quality compromise.
Is freight free when I order Spirulina on-line?
Yes!! Freight is free for all purchases shipped within Australia. For any international enquiries we will contact you with a postage charge.
What products are excluded from GST?
All Synergy products in POWDER form offered for sale on this website are exempt from GST. All products in TABLET form are subject to GST. The prices quoted on our website include GST where it is applicable.