How to choose quality spirulina: criteria, shapes and advice

Looking for a naturally nutrient-dense food to support your daily vitality? Visit spirulina is one of the cyanobacteria (often assimilated to blue-green micro-algae for the sake of simplicity) most studied and appreciated for its nutritional richness: proteins, natural pigments, minerals, trace elements...
Indigenous cultures around the world have been consuming this superfood for centuries.

But beware: not all spirulina is created equal.
Spirulina has an important characteristic: it absorbs what is in its growing medium. If water or the environment is contaminated, it can concentrate undesirable substances. Hence the importance of knowing recognizing quality spirulina, safe and well-produced.

In this guide, we will look at :

  • essential criteria for making the right choice,
  • common mistakes to avoid,
  • the different forms available (powder, twigs, tablets, etc.),
  • and best practices for everyday consumption.

Spirulina: what exactly is it?

Spirulina (Arthrospira Platensis) is a cyanobacterium that can be used as a food source. naturally present in certain warm lakes.

It is renowned for its nutritional density, including :

  • a high content of proteins,
  • from pigments (such as phycocyanin and chlorophyll),
  • from minerals, including iron,
  • various micronutrients depending on growing conditions.

It can therefore be incorporated into a balanced diet, particularly for people with increased needs (fast pace, sporting activity, plant-based diets, periods of fatigue...).

Many specialists consider it a a superfood with many benefits : 

  • Strengthens the immune system,
  • Support for sporting effort (endurance, muscle recovery) thanks to its high protein content, which helps build muscle mass,
  • Aids digestion thanks to its high chlorophyll content, which promotes detoxification,
  • Reduces fatigue and improves oxygenation thanks to its high iron and chlorophyll content, which promote the normal formation of red blood cells and optimize oxygen transport in the blood, for enhanced vitality,
  • Nutrient-rich formula regulates satiety,
  • Supports normal cognitive functions thanks to its iron content,
  • Spirulina is alkalizing (PRAL index -2.73 - source : Nutritional data sheet Seaweed, dried spirulina) and contributes to the body's acid-base balance.

Why choosing quality spirulina is essential (and why “bad” spirulina exists)

Spirulina is a living organism that efficiently captures the elements present in water. This is a strength... but also a vulnerability.

If culture is performed :

  • in insufficiently controlled water,
  • in an environment exposed to pollution,
  • with overly aggressive drying processes,

then spirulina can be less interesting from a nutritional point of view, or even present a potential risk of contamination.

Choosing a quality spirulina is therefore based on a simple principle: a healthy environment + controlled drying + serious analyses.

Why choose vibratory spirulina from Life's Code?

The vibratory spirulina from Life's Code is exceptionally rich: it contains over 100 nutrients. 

it is cultivated according to a demanding approach, with particular attention paid to :

  • the traceability and hygiene at every stage,
  • the quality of the culture medium,
  • a cold drying to preserve all its properties,
  • and regular analyses Each batch of spirulina is tested by two independent laboratories to guarantee total microbiological safety. .

The “Spiruline Vibratoire ®”We also emphasize biomimicry-inspired growing conditions and naturalness-oriented production, with no unnecessary additives.

So Life's code spirulina is guaranteed:

  • preservative-free
  • no additives, flavourings or colourings
  • non-GMO
  • without ionization
  • free of heavy metals
  • gluten-free and allergen-free

(Remember: spirulina, like all superfoods, is not a substitute for a varied diet and a balanced lifestyle).

What form of spirulina should I choose?

Spirulina comes in many forms: fresh, powder, twigs and tablets. Ideally, you should choose the one that suits your routine and tolerance.

Fresh Spirulina

This is the least processed form, but also the most restrictive: it can rarely be stored for more than a few days. 48 to 72 hours. It's especially suitable if you live near a producer.

Spirulina powder

The powder is easy to incorporate into smoothies, juices, yoghurts or hummus. On the other hand, the taste can be more pronounced and the quality varies greatly according to :

  • origin,
  • growing method,
  • drying,
  • and processing practices.

If you choose powdered spirulina, make sure it comes from twigs grown according to the rules of the art, i.e. in pure, contaminant-free water, with the right balance of nutrients, light and temperature.
It must be cold-dried to preserve its essential nutrients. Beware of brands that only sell powder but no twigs...

Tip: buy twigs and grind them yourself. That way, you can be sure of the source. What's more, some manufacturers cut the powder with other substances or reconstitute it from fragments. Yes, yes, we promise, it happens!

Spirulina twigs (or flakes)

Twigs are less processed than powder and retain their quality better because they are not ground.

They are easy to sprinkle on :

  • salads,
  • vegetables,
  • spreads,
  • warm dishes.

Avoid heating it: heat can alter certain nutrients. Ideally, add after baking or on cold/temperature preparations.

Life's Code follows a strict process to guarantee nutrient-rich spirulina twigs. The "Vibratory Spirulina" specifications include circular basins, water dynamization, geodesic domes, music diffusion and cold drying at less than 42°C.

Spirulina tablets

Very practical for precise dosage and on-the-go use. Warning: some tablets may contain excipients, additives or preservatives. It is therefore important to check :

  • the list of ingredients,
  • provenance,
  • the presence of analyses.

Life's Code spirulina tablets are 100% pure, without preservatives or excipients, and made from spirulina twigs. They are compacted with low pressure to preserve nutrients.

The daily dose is 6 x 500 mg tablets for a 60 kg person. A little tip to help you find the right dosage: 1 tablet for every 10 kg of weight.

How much to take (and how to get started)

A commonly used reference is about 50 mg/kg/day, around 3 g/day for 60 kg (the equivalent of a heaped teaspoon, depending on shape).

Board start gradually on 7 to 10 days (small doses to start with), to give the body time to adapt, especially in the digestive tract.

Essential criteria for recognizing quality spirulina

To choose a quality spirulina, several criteria must be taken into account:

1) A controlled growing environment

The quality of spirulina depends largely on the environment in which it is grown. Choose spirulina produced in environmentally-friendly conditions, under the sun, as it needs a lot of heat. 

Spirulina grows naturally in warm water (often between 30 to 37°C). The most important thing is:

  • water controlled,
  • an environment preserved,
  • a culture monitored (environmental balance, hygiene, traceability).

Life's Code growers cultivate spirulina in a naturally warm, healthy environment, free from contaminants. This guarantees nutrient-rich, living spirulina. No intensive production for respectful cultivation and optimum quality. After each harvest, analyses quantify the nutrients consumed by the spirulina. The aim is to provide it with only what it needs to preserve the purity of the environment and limit the proliferation of other micro-organisms. In addition, analyses are regularly carried out on the culture water and spirulina to rule out the presence of pesticides, heavy metals or pathogens.

2) Cold drying

Drying is a key stage that influences the nutritional quality of spirulina. Indeed, most vitamins lose their effectiveness above 42 degrees.

Low-temperature drying preserves all spirulina nutrients. Life's Code dries its spirulina cold, at less than 42 degrees Celsius by ventilation. This process guarantees optimum preservation of its nutritional qualities and vitality.

3) Regular independent analyses

A serious spirulina brand must be able to provide :

  • microbiological analyses,
  • controls on contaminants (heavy metals, etc.),
  • and clear batch traceability.

French Spirulina? Cock-a-doodle-doo or not?

We often believe that French products are of better quality, which is true in some sectors.

However, when it comes to spirulina, the shortcut is not so obvious. Wouldn't it occur to you to produce bananas in the Paris region? Well, it's the same with spirulina, which is a natural a crop that requires heat.

In its natural state, spirulina is not found in France, but rather in the lakes of the equatorial belt... And strangely enough, like the human body, it's best found at 37 degrees!

The challenges facing French production

There are over 200 spirulina producers in France, but they face a number of problems:

  • A seasonal production which means emptying the tanks at the end of the season and refilling them as soon as temperatures rise again. This is a pity, because spirulina cultivation consumes the least water of all crops, making it particularly ecological and sustainable.
  • For year-round producers, it is necessary to heating pools. Fortunately, many use environmentally-friendly methods such as methanization or renewable energies. However, others still rely on non-renewable energies, which greatly increases their carbon footprint.

By producing in the Moroccan sun, Life's Code reduces its carbon footprint without heating or emptying the ponds. What's more, spirulina is extremely light to transport. With just 100 g of spirulina, you get the equivalent of one month's consumption. In comparison, 1 kg of bananas, imported from the other side of the world, only lasts a week. This choice limits the resources needed for transport and contributes to more sustainable production.

What about organic spirulina?

There are as many qualities of spirulina as there are producers. Indeed, the term "organic" has unfortunately lost some of its value. Today, certain labels can be bought. What's more, equivalences exist between countries that do not respect the same standards as French organic specifications.

For example, Chinese or Indian spirulina can be certified organic while being grown in the open air, under the polluted rains that contaminate the ponds. Similarly, some producers respect the organic label while drying spirulina at very high temperatures, thereby losing all its nutrients.

À On the other hand, there are some very good producers, whether they have a label or not, who do an exceptional job of delivering impeccable quality. In short: talk to the producers, visit the farms if you can, and trust your intuition!

Nutritional richness of spirulina

As we have seen, Spirulina is an excellent superfood. It abounds in virtues thanks to its protein-rich composition (58 g of protein per 100 g, about 3 times more than meat - source CIQUAL), essential amino acids, vitamins, iron (29 mg per 100 mg, 10 times more than red meat - source CIQUAL), fatty acids, trace elements, pigments and minerals. It is particularly well suited to vegetarians, vegans and nutritional needs of athletes. but also people tired, convalescent, pregnant or to children.

Quality Spirulina: essential criteria to know

Spirulina can be an excellent source of daily nutritional support, provided you choose the right spirulina. quality spirulina healthy environment, controlled drying, serious analyses and a transparent producer.
To sum up, remember these 3 pillars:

  1. Purity of culture medium
  2. Cold drying
  3. Analysis + traceability

With these benchmarks, you can make an informed choice and integrate spirulina into a more serene and sustainable well-being routine. You'll be able to support your energy, strengthen your immune system and optimize your digestion. 

Guarantees for Life's Code spirulina: top-quality spirulina

Spirulina from Life's Code stands out for its superior quality, thanks to the "Vibratory Spirulina" know-how that guarantees a living, contaminant-free culture, and its cold drying, an essential step in preserving its nutrients and purity.

It guarantees exceptional concentration of nutrients, with no preservatives.

Our advice For an even more effective and complete treatment, combine it with phycocyanin for a broad spectrum of benefits, as the action of phycocyanin is amplified by all the cofactors provided by spirulina.

At Life's Code, you'll find only healthy food supplements with a minimalist, impeccable composition.

Authorized and tolerated health claims for spirulina :

Spirulina helps :

  • the body to protect itself against the consequences of oxidative stress,
  • supports the immune system, strengthens the body's natural defenses and promotes resistance,
  • improve tone and vitality, in case of fatigue, improves vitality/energy, maintains energy and tone
  • maintain normal blood sugar levels
  • Because of its protein content, spirulina is recommended for slimming diets to help maintain muscle mass.

Calcium, iron, folate and zinc play a role in the cell division process.

Calcium and vitamin A play a role in the cell specialization process.

Iron and folates help reduce fatigue.

Iron, folates, vitamin A and zinc contribute to the normal functioning of the immune system.

Calcium contributes to :

  • normal energy metabolism,
  • normal muscle function,
  • maintenance of normal bones and teeth.

Iron contributes to :

  • normal transport of oxygen in the body,
  • normal formation of red blood cells and hemoglobin,
  • normal cognitive function.

Vitamin C increases iron absorption.

Folates contribute to :

  • maternal tissue growth during pregnancy,
  • normal amino acid synthesis,
  • normal blood formation,
  • normal psychological functions,

Vitamin A contributes to normal iron metabolism.

Zinc contributes to :

  • normal cognitive function,
  • normal DNA synthesis,
  • normal fertility and reproduction,
  • normal protein synthesis,
  • maintenance of normal bones, skin, vision, hair and nails,
  • protect cells against oxidative stress.

Proteins contribute to :

  • increase muscle mass,
  • maintenance of normal muscle mass and bone structure.