Updated Review
Published: January 18, 2021
Since our review was published in 2011, we found a new paper suggesting that the neurotoxin BMAA and its most common structural isomers can be found in at least some forms of Spirulina (Journal of Hazardous Materials 2019;365:346-365). It is not known whether the concentrations found are sufficient to cause or exacerbate ALS progression. Given this, we change our Risks grade to U. Further studies are needed to determine if any form of Spirulina is safe for people with ALS. We found no new studies warranting changes in our Table of Evidence grades for Mechanism, Pre-Clinical Models, Cases or Trials.