Spirulina

Won't cure or treat cancer — cell-line studies showing anti-tumor effects are extremely early-stage and not evidence for humans. Doesn't meaningfully help children grow taller or gain weight — a systematic review found no significant effect on growth outcomes. Won't replace anti-inflammatory medications for serious conditions like MS. Effects on TNF-α and IL-6 are inconsistent across studies — don't count on it for those specific markers. No strong evidence it burns fat or builds muscle on its own.

• Contamination risk: Spirulina can absorb heavy metals and toxins from its growing environment — always buy from brands with third-party testing (e.g., NSF, USP, Informed Sport).
• Microbial contamination is a real concern — one study in this dataset specifically examined gamma radiation to decontaminate spirulina, suggesting raw products can harbor pathogens.
• High heterogeneity in meta-analyses means results vary widely across studies — effects may not apply to everyone.
• Some products labeled 'spirulina' may contain other algae or cyanobacteria, including potentially toxic species like Microcystis — source matters.
• People with phenylketonuria (PKU) or autoimmune conditions should consult a doctor before use, as spirulina contains phenylalanine and may stimulate immune activity.