¿Qué es?
Las algas verdiazules producen pigmentos de color verde azulado y son ricas en proteínas, hierro y otros minerales. Crecen en agua salada y en algunos grandes lagos de agua dulce. Se han utilizado como alimento durante varios siglos en México y algunos países africanos. En los EE. UU., Se han vendido en suplementos desde finales de la década de 1970. Las personas usan algas verdiazules para tratar la presión arterial alta y como suplemento proteico. También se usa para niveles altos de colesterol u otras grasas (lípidos) en la sangre, diabetes, obesidad y muchas otras afecciones. Pero no existe una buena evidencia científica que respalde estos otros usos.
Algunos productos de algas verdiazules se cultivan en condiciones controladas. Otros se cultivan en un entorno natural, donde es más probable que estén contaminados. Utilice únicamente productos que hayan sido probados y que estén libres de contaminantes como metales pesados, toxinas hepáticas llamadas microcistinas y bacterias dañinas. No confunda las algas verdiazules con otras algas, como Ascophyllum nodosum, Ecklonia cava, Fucus Vesiculosis o Laminaria.
¿Qué tan efectivo es?
Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database (La Base Exhaustiva de Datos de Medicamentos Naturales) clasifica la eficacia, basada en evidencia científica, de acuerdo a la siguiente escala: Eficaz, Probablemente Eficaz, Posiblemente Eficaz, Posiblemente Ineficaz, Probablemente Ineficaz, Ineficaz, e Insuficiente Evidencia para Hacer una Determinación.
La clasificación de la eficacia para este producto es la siguiente:
Posiblemente eficaz para...
- Alta presión sanguínea. La ingesta de algas verdiazules parece reducir la presión arterial en algunas personas con presión arterial alta.
¿Es seguro?
Pero los productos de algas verdiazules que están contaminados posiblemente no sean seguros. Las algas verdiazules contaminadas pueden causar daño hepático, vómitos, debilidad, taquicardia, shock y muerte. No use ningún producto de algas verdiazules que no haya sido probado y se haya encontrado libre de microcistinas y otros contaminantes.
Advertencias y precauciones especiales:
Embarazo y lactancia: No hay suficiente información disponible para saber si es seguro utilizar algas verdiazules durante el embarazo o la lactancia. Los productos de algas verdiazules contaminados contienen toxinas dañinas que pueden transmitirse a un bebé durante el embarazo oa través de la leche materna. Manténgase en el lado seguro y evite su uso.Enfermedades autoinmunes como esclerosis múltiple (EM), lupus (lupus eritematoso sistémico, LES), artritis reumatoide (AR), pénfigo vulgar (una afección de la piel) y otras: Las algas verdiazules pueden hacer que el sistema inmunológico se vuelva más activo, y esto podría aumentar los síntomas de enfermedades autoinmunes. Si tiene una de estas condiciones, es mejor evitar el uso de algas verdiazules.
Cirugía: Las algas verdiazules pueden reducir los niveles de azúcar en sangre. Existe cierta preocupación de que pueda interferir con el control del azúcar en sangre durante y después de la cirugía. Deje de usar algas verdiazules al menos 2 semanas antes de una cirugía programada.
¿Existen interacciones con medicamentos?
- Medicamentos para la diabetes (medicamentos antidiabéticos)
- Las algas verdiazules pueden reducir los niveles de azúcar en sangre. La ingesta de algas verdiazules junto con medicamentos para la diabetes puede hacer que el azúcar en sangre baje demasiado. Controle de cerca su nivel de azúcar en sangre.
- Medicamentos que disminuyen el sistema inmunológico (inmunosupresores)
- Las algas verdiazules pueden aumentar la actividad del sistema inmunológico. Algunos medicamentos, como los que se usan después de un trasplante, disminuyen la actividad del sistema inmunológico. La ingesta de algas verdiazules junto con estos medicamentos podría disminuir los efectos de estos medicamentos.
- Medicamentos que retardan la coagulación de la sangre (medicamentos anticoagulantes / antiplaquetarios)
- Las algas verdiazules pueden retardar la coagulación sanguínea. La ingesta de algas verdiazules junto con medicamentos que también retardan la coagulación de la sangre puede aumentar el riesgo de hematomas y sangrado.
¿Existen interacciones con hierbas y suplementos?
- Hierbas y suplementos que pueden reducir el azúcar en sangre
- Las algas verdiazules pueden reducir el azúcar en sangre. Tomarlo con otros suplementos con efectos similares podría reducir demasiado el azúcar en sangre. Ejemplos de suplementos con este efecto incluyen aloe, melón amargo, canela casia, cromo y nopal.
- Hierbas y suplementos que pueden retardar la coagulación sanguínea
- Las algas verdiazules pueden retardar la coagulación sanguínea y aumentar el riesgo de hemorragia. Tomarlo con otros suplementos con efectos similares podría aumentar el riesgo de hemorragia en algunas personas. Ejemplos de suplementos con este efecto incluyen ajo, jengibre, ginkgo, natokinasa y Panax ginseng.
- Hierro
- Las algas verdiazules pueden disminuir la cantidad de hierro que el cuerpo puede absorber. La ingesta de algas verdiazules con suplementos de hierro podría disminuir los efectos del suplemento de hierro.
¿Existen interacciones con alimentos?
- Tenga en cuenta que la ingesta de algas verdiazules puede disminuir la cantidad de hierro que el cuerpo puede absorber de los alimentos y suplementos.
¿Como se usa normalmente?
Otros nombres
Metodología
Para saber más sobre cómo este artículo fue escrito, refiérase a la metodología de la Base exhaustiva de datos de medicamentos naturales.
Referencias
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