FSA warnings
I know the Food Standards Agency (FSA) recently warned against taking some vitamins and minerals in large dosages but by this, did they mean more than the recommended dosage on the label or taking something long term? I have been taking spirulina to help with my arthritis for eight years and while I definitely feel better and have more energy, am I putting my health at risk?
No, you are protecting your health and should continue to take chlorophyll-dense spirulina which is one of the very best energy-boosting “super foods” and which is believed to also have an anti-inflammatory action in the body which is what makes it useful for arthritis sufferers too.
The FSA report you refer to concluded itself that “the amounts of most vitamins and minerals most people are taking are unlikely to cause harm.” And what you may not know is that the report was subsequently heavily criticised for being biased and for relying on selectively chosen studies that are at odds with prevailing scientific opinion. Another of the biggest criticisms was that it failed to distinguish at all between long and short-term use.
One recommendation, for instance, was that the maximum daily dosage of vitamin B6 be dropped from 50-200mg to just 10mg. This so outraged the Canadian scientists who have proved that this nutrient is safe to take at even higher daily dosages of 250mg to 500mg and for long periods (up to eight years) that they have now written to the FSA to remonstrate. My advice is do not believe everything you read, especially with regard to supplementation, but do your own homework.