Customer Reviews

Nutrex - Natural Spirulina, 500 mg, 400 tablets

5 star:		(45)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

UPDATES: 4/11/2011, 11/11/2011 -- please see my updates near the end of this review

With this brand of Spirulina you are on to a good thing! Especially as far as taste goes.

<< In brief >>
Simply put, this is the best Spirulina I know of, at the best price I have seen anywhere online and offline (UPDATE 11/11/2011: It's no longer the cheapest way to get this variety of spirulina. See my updates near the end). This is the one to buy, if great tasting Spirulina is what you are looking for. Forget the cheaper non-Hawaiian varieties (from India, China, etc.). For more indepth info, read on:

<< Full review >>
Let me first put this review into a helpful context.

I have been eating Spirulina on an almost daily basis for approximately the past 20 years. Since my mid-teens I've been making big green looking smoothies every morning. My father and I affectionately refer to them as my "Swamp Water" or "Swamp juice".

This particular Spirulina is from a fantastic high-tech Spirulina production facility on the coast of the Big Island of Hawaii. They use ultra pure ocean water for both growing and drying the Spirulina. It is dried at a low temperature to keep the nutrients in tact.

I'd been eating Spirulina for perhaps 5 years before I tried this Hawaiian variety (manufactured by Nutrex). Now, let me say I had always loved the taste of Spirulina. I'd put a couple of heaped tablespoons of it into my morning drink. Friends and family, however, found the taste too strong and "green" if I put in that much though.

Then one day I met the guy who first stated to import Nutrex Hawaiian Spirulina into New Zealand (where I live). He asked if I'd like to try some (at a health Expo). I said "No thanks, I am very familiar with Spirulina". He said, "Not Hawaiian Spirulina. It tastes much nicer than the other kinds". I let him know that I actually already enjoy the taste of Spirulina. At the time I was getting New Zealand branded Spirulina (perhaps imported from India or grown locally). The guy told me that compared to the Hawaiian variety, other Spirulina tastes like soil. I'd never noticed that. Curious, I tried his little cup of green stuff, and WOW it was extra delicious. In that moment I realised, for the first time, that yes, indeed, the other varieties taste a bit like soil. Odd. Whereas the Hawaiian variety tastes creamy and... well, it's hard to describe. Let's just say it is delicious for those people into concentrated green foods, and whilst perhaps calling it "delicious" is going too far for some, it is certainly the most palatable for those folk who are not yet used to eating concentrated green foods.

So, that was about 15 years ago, and I've eaten ONLY Hawaiian Spirulina ever since. Partly because it tastes great, which means I can put as much as I want into my drink without it getting over-powering, but also because my research indicated that the Hawaiian variety is superior in quality and nutritional content. This particular one being sold here on Amazon is at one of the best prices I have seen, which is why I often buy it from here when I am in the USA.

If you are new to Spirulina and superfoods in general, I suggest adding this product to a smoothie, and drinking that each day. Use clean spring water if you can. To that add 1 ripe organic banana as a base. Then add the following:
- Start out with 1 tablespoon of Spirulina. Increase as you get use to the taste.
- 1 tablespoon of Organic Raw Chocolate Nibs,
- A handful of Raw Organic Goji Berries (soak them in water overnight if you want them to blend more smoothly),
- 1/2 to 1 tablespoon of Organic Raw Maca Powder
- 1/2 to 1 tablespoon of Lucuma Powder
- 1 tablesppon of Y.S. Organic Bee Farms - Fresh Bee Pollen Whole Granules
- 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of organic Ginger Root Powder (that'll help with your digestion of the other goodies).
This rough recipe is for about a quart (1 litre) of drink so use 1 quart (1 L) of water.
Blend them up in a blender, and enjoy.

I give workshops on what I call "Intelligent Nutritional" around the world, and this is a basic version of a recipe I share with people. I've had many people after just 3 to 7 days tell me they feel like a new person (they look like it too!!) after drinking this each morning. Friends comment on how them seem to be "glowing" and ask what they are up to!! Try it out.

If you're looking to buy Spirulina, this is the brand to get, and it's at a great price.

<< Buying Bulk >>
If you use a lot of Spirulina you may find it even more affordable to buy it in bulk. As I write this, it is possible to buy in a 5lb vacuum pack for $27.60 / lb or $141 in total (Spirulina Pacifica 5 lbs)

If you know nothing about Spirulina, please read up on it on the Internet - it's worth leaning about. I'll mention here that it is a highly concentrated source of a very broad range of nutrients. I'd say a couple of tablespoons of this rich green powder contains more nutrition that the people eating the Standard American Diet (SAD) might get in a few weeks worth of meals. This is powerful stuff that will change the way you feel, big time!! Enjoy!

UPDATE 4/11/2011: If you want ORGANIC spirulina, the Nutrex one is NOT certified (or uncertified) organic. For many many years it was "certified organic", until a couple of years ago. I have asked NOW Foods about their ORGANIC SPIRULINA POWDER. It is certified organic and grown/produced in India. They tell me it is very high quality and from a state-of-the-art facility there in India. I have not tried it yet, but I will do soon, mostly to determine if the taste is as good as the Hawaiian variety. I currently have no reason to believe its quality is anything less than great, but the spirulina I have tried from India in the paste did not taste as nice as the Hawaiian one. It comes in a foil lined canister, which should be just fine for those people not wanting products in plastic. For 1 lb it is about the same price as the non-organic Nutrex one on review here. If you want ORGANIC spirulina please take a look at the one from NOW Foods.

UPDATE 11/11/2011: I have since purchased the Now Foods Spirulina Powder, 4-Pounds for the first time. I have spoken with NOW Foods and this product comes from Cyanotech in Hawaii (meaning it is the same spirulina as this Nutrex one). If you don't mind that it is in plastic, it is a very good price at around $70 (about $17.50 a LB). Obviously it tastes identical to the Nutrex product I have reviewed here. So, take your pick. I will now (no pun intended) be buying the NOW Foods 4LB product as I go through a lot of spirulina and it's about $10 / lb cheaper.

With heart,

Jonathan Evatt
International lecturer, Yoga teacher, and award-winning author of Peace, Power, and Presence: A guide to Self Empowerment, Inner Peace, and Spiritual Enlightenment

P.S. I have posted links to the products above, specifically selecting only brands I personally have tried and highly recommend. Different merchants, however, sell these products on Amazon and elsewhere online. So search here and elsewhere for the best price. The ones I have posted links to do not necessarily represent the best price and shipping deals, etc. Although some of them are the best prices I have come across (which helps, because stocking up on superfoods can seem pricey for some)

I am a self-confessed Spirulina junkie. I absolutely love the taste of a good quality spirulina. Nearly every day I'll have 2 tablespoons of spirulina powder - sometimes blended with fresh organic greens, sprouts, and freshly ground organic flax seeds or chia seeds. Other times I just mix the spirulina with water and guzzle it down.

For over 10 years I've been an organic health food nut. I've tried dozens of specialized diets, different herbal detox cleanses, juice fasts, fruit fasts, water fasts, etc etc. I've tried over a hundred different research-backed supplements. After all my years of experimentation, my cabinet has gotten smaller and smaller. The cleaner my body got, the more my body disliked any processed supplements or fancy dieting practices. Throughout all this time, my body has always loved spirulina. Nothing feels quite like it.

My most memorable experience was when I broke a 20-day water fast. For the first 2 days I tried freshly juiced organic fruits. The sugar was way too intense and it didn't feel right for my body. Then I tried a spirulina & water drink. It was amazing! The blood in my body literally vibrated and tingled! I had never experienced my blood tingling before - it was awesome! And my energy levels soared within minutes. I could feel the spirulina nourish my blood while also cleanse it.

I've tried a small handful of spirulina brands in recent years. I rank two brands above the rest. Nutrex Hawaii Hawaiian Spirulina Pacifica Powder, 5-pound Bag and Health Force Spirulina Azteca - 500 g - Powder. Both companies provide the purest, deepest green, smoothest tasting spirulina on the market. Nutrex sources their spirulina in Hawaii. Health Force does not disclose their location, unfortunately.

I recommend the powder over the pills/tablets. It's easier to drink a tablespoon (or two) of powder than swallow 30+ tablets. Plus the tablets and pills use additives to keep the pills/tablets intact. I love the taste of spirulina and digestion starts in the mouth, so it's important to chew your drinks to get the saliva mixed.

Be cautious, much of today's spirulina is grown in China - because it is cheaper and quality control standards do not exist. I've read reports of the spirulina being yellow-green or bitter tasting. Personally, I avoid eating food from China and try to serve our country's economy whenever possible.

To learn more about the amazing properties of Spirulina, read the books Earth Food Spirulina: How This Remarkable Blue-Green Algae Can Transform Your Health and Our Planet and The Secrets of Spirulina. There is no other food quite like Spirulina. I've tried chlorella, home-grown wheatgrass juice, blue-green algae from Lake Klamath, alfalfa sprouts and powder, and others. Some my body doesn't like, others it likes but not as much as spirulina. All of these are healthy and will help anyone lacking a good diet.

If you love Spirulina, buy in quantity. You'll help the environment will less packaging and shipping pollution, plus you'll save some money. If you are new to Spirulina, try a small bottle of powder. Give it a few days, you may end up loving the taste like I do.

Also be aware, powerful foods like spirulina can cause cleansing detox reactions. This is a good thing. You want to get rid of the toxins stored in your body. But it may be an uncomfortable process. If you are new to pure eating and detoxification, study up. Most doctors or common folk don't have the faintest knowledge about detoxification or eating a pure diet. These books will help: The Miracle of Fasting, 51th Edition: Proven Throughout History for Physical, Mental, & Spiritual Rejuvenation, Dr. Jensen's Guide to Diet and Detoxification : Healthy Secrets from Around the World, Dr. Jensen's Guide to Better Bowel Care: A Complete Program for Tissue Cleansing through Bowel Management.

There is nothing more important in this world than good health. Our bodies need to be healthy. Our planet needs to be healthy. Think about it, everything we value is based on a healthy body and mind. I hope that you've enjoyed and benefited from my review.

I was suffering from chronic fatigue untli I found this product! It is the best spirulina on the market! I read about it at http://www.chlorellafactor.com/ This article saved my life!

I've done a lot of research and this is the most nutritious spirulina available anywere. I've taken it for months and it helps me so much, especially when I am sick or tired. It is a very strong anti-inflammatory, and contains lots of protein, antioxidants and vitamins. Spirulina has a endless list of benefits for your health.

There seems to be some confusion among reviewers over whether or not this Hawaiian grown spirulina is organic or not and how it compares to other spirulina products. I researched spirulina myself because I am concerned about the products I consume. What I found out was that most of the "Hawaiian Spirulina" that reviewers are referring to are produced by a company in Hawaii called Cyanotech Corp (under the labels of Nutrex and others). This company doesn't have "Organic" certification. It is my understanding that non-organically grown spirulinas such as this one (a/k/a "All Natural") rely on chemically based fertilizers to grow their spirulina (which is not allowed under Organic standards) -- and as a result can only call it "all natural".

There is only one certified producer of organic spirulina that I know of. That company is Parry Nutraceuticals (parrynutraceuticals.com) and they are located in Southern India and have received organic certifications under the USDA, the IMO in Switzerland and Naturland in Germany. Read the FAQs on their website -- it is very interesting. They also received a prestigious certification from the US Pharmacopeia which allows them to use the "USP Ingredient Verified Mark" on their spirulina powder. That mark ensures the quality of their product and the claims regarding purity, limits of contamination, etc. I also found out that they are the first spirulina manufacturer in the world to receive that designation.

I found out the the NOW Foods Organic Spirulina is from Parry Nutraceuticals and I also found out that the Swanson brand of Organic Spirulina (in tablets) is also from Parry. I'm sure there are many others too, but I didn't spend any more time looking into it since both of these items are available at the swansonvitamins.com website, which is where I typically shop for supplements.

does what it's supposed to do.

Since taking it, I no longer feel like I need a nap every afternoon, and I'm not ready for bed at 8pm anymore. My energy is back where it should be.

I have been using spirulina over the years it's the best thing ever i don't know why people Don't try this product
It will make you feel like you are on the top of the world, just don't take my work try it and you will see how much of a difference you will feel.
only thing is that it smell like fish but if you mix it with mango juice and some ice smell will be gone.
Happy and healthy living.

I am a self-confessed Spirulina junkie. I absolutely love the taste of a good quality spirulina. Nearly every day I'll have 2 tablespoons of spirulina powder - sometimes blended with fresh organic greens, sprouts, and freshly ground organic flax seeds or chia seeds. Other times I just mix the spirulina with water and guzzle it down.

For over 10 years I've been an organic health food nut. I've tried dozens of specialized diets, different herbal detox cleanses, juice fasts, fruit fasts, water fasts, etc etc. I've tried over a hundred different research-backed supplements. After all my years of experimentation, my cabinet has gotten smaller and smaller. The cleaner my body got, the more my body disliked any processed supplements or fancy dieting practices. Throughout all this time, my body has always loved spirulina. Nothing feels quite like it.

My most memorable experience was when I broke a 20-day water fast. For the first 2 days I tried freshly juiced organic fruits. The sugar was way too intense and it didn't feel right for my body. Then I tried a spirulina & water drink. It was amazing! The blood in my body literally vibrated and tingled! I had never experienced my blood tingling before - it was awesome! And my energy levels soared within minutes. I could feel the spirulina nourish my blood while also cleanse it.

I've tried a small handful of spirulina brands in recent years. I rank two brands above the rest. Nutrex Hawaii Hawaiian Spirulina Pacifica Powder, 5-pound Bag and Health Force Spirulina Azteca - 500 g - Powder. Both companies provide the purest, deepest green, smoothest tasting spirulina on the market. Nutrex sources their spirulina in Hawaii. Health Force does not disclose their location, unfortunately.

I recommend the powder over the pills/tablets. It's easier to drink a tablespoon (or two) of powder than swallow 30+ tablets. Plus the tablets and pills use additives to keep the pills/tablets intact. I love the taste of spirulina and digestion starts in the mouth, so it's important to chew your drinks to get the saliva mixed.

Be cautious, much of today's spirulina is grown in China - because it is cheaper and quality control standards do not exist. I've read reports of the spirulina being yellow-green or bitter tasting. Personally, I avoid eating food from China and try to serve our country's economy whenever possible.

To learn more about the amazing properties of Spirulina, read the books Earth Food Spirulina: How This Remarkable Blue-Green Algae Can Transform Your Health and Our Planet and The Secrets of Spirulina. There is no other food quite like Spirulina. I've tried chlorella, home-grown wheatgrass juice, blue-green algae from Lake Klamath, alfalfa sprouts and powder, and others. Some my body doesn't like, others it likes but not as much as spirulina. All of these are healthy and will help anyone lacking a good diet.

If you love Spirulina, buy in quantity. You'll help the environment will less packaging and shipping pollution, plus you'll save some money. If you are new to Spirulina, try a small bottle of powder. Give it a few days, you may end up loving the taste like I do.

Also be aware, powerful foods like spirulina can cause cleansing detox reactions. This is a good thing. You want to get rid of the toxins stored in your body. But it may be an uncomfortable process. If you are new to pure eating and detoxification, study up. Most doctors or common folk don't have the faintest knowledge about detoxification or eating a pure diet. These books will help: The Miracle of Fasting, 51th Edition: Proven Throughout History for Physical, Mental, & Spiritual Rejuvenation, Dr. Jensen's Guide to Diet and Detoxification : Healthy Secrets from Around the World, Dr. Jensen's Guide to Better Bowel Care: A Complete Program for Tissue Cleansing through Bowel Management.

There is nothing more important in this world than good health. Our bodies need to be healthy. Our planet needs to be healthy. Think about it, everything we value is based on a healthy body and mind. I hope that you've enjoyed and benefited from my review.

I HAVE BEEN DRINKING THIS MIXED WITH ORANGE JUICE FOR 17 DAYS SO FAR, AFTER 2 DAYS I NOTICED A DIFFERENCE, MY MOOD IS BETTER AND I WAKE UP EARLIER AND FEEL MORE RESTED AND AM ABLE TO GET OUT OF BED, BEFORE BUYING THIS I HAD A VERY HARD TIME TO WAKE UP AND BE ON TIME FOR WORK, THIS IS THE FIRST TIME IN AS LONG AS I CAN REMEMBER THAT I DON'T FEEL LIKE I NEED TO STAY IN BED ALL DAY LONG, MY SKIN ALSO LOOKS BETTER TOO, INCREASED RADIANCE AND CLARITY OF FACIAL SKIN AND BODY ALSO, I ALSO LOST 3.6 LBS THIS WEEK WITH NO OTHER DIETARY CHANGES. TOTAL LOSS 7 LBS SO FAR. I WEIGHED MYSELF EVERY DAY TO SEE IF IT MIGHT MAKE ME LOSE WEIGHT AS I READ ONLINE THAT IT DOES NOT WORK FOR WEIGHT LOSS, I THINK IT DOES THOUGH AS IT IS GOOD FOR THE LIVER, I FIRST SAW THIS ON A LINK FROM MSN PAGE FOR BETTER LOOKING HAIR AND SKIN, SO I WENT TO VITAMIN SHOP TO BUY SOME AFTER RESEARCHING IT ON THE INTERNET, I COULD NOT FIND ANY NEGATIVE INFO ON SPIRULINA. MY HEALTH WAS GOOD BEFORE I HAD THIS SO I CAN'T SAY IF IT RELIEVED ANY ACHES AND PAINS. BUT I DO HAVE LESS DESIRE TO SMOKE CIGARETTES ALSO.
EVEN THOUGH ITS ONLY BEEN A LITTLE MORE THAN 2 WEEKS I HIGHLY RECCOMEND THIS PRODUCT. IT DOES NOT TASTE THAT GOOD, BUT REALLY I THINK IT IS BETTER TO DRINK IT WITH JUICE AS IT IS READILY ACCESSABLE TO THE BODY, BETTER THAN GEL CAPS I THINK.

My family and I were taking spirulina last 15 years, and from all tested spirulina, Spirulina Pacifica from Nutrex are for sure the best one. When my kids take spirulina, not from Nutrex, they are alwys complaining that taste is not ok, stomach is a little bit upset. So... if you ask me Spirulina Pacifica from Nutrex is the best.