Frequently asked questions & inquiries

Individual customers

When should I take it during the day?

You can take it anytime you would like to, but we recommend having it as a side dish when eating a meal and taking it with a glass of green tea or water (cold or warm).

How long should I continue taking it?

For first-time users, we recommend trying it out by taking it every day for three months.

Are there any medicines it shouldn’t be used with?

Spirulina contains vitamin K, which may weaken the effects of anticoagulants such as warfarin. People who have received nutritional advice from a healthcare professional to avoid food high in vitamin K (such as natto, green juice and chlorella) should not consume Spirulina products.

Does it ever cause a bad reaction?

As is the case with other foods, in very rare cases eating Spirulina as a food may cause the body to react badly. In rare cases, the protein or other components of Spirulina may cause symptoms such as skin itching, rashes, stomach discomfort or diarrhea. If you feel odd after taking Spirulina, stop taking it and let us know by sending in an inquiry.

How much nutrition does Spirulina provide compared to vegetables?

Four grams of Spirulina contains as much beta-carotene as a day’s worth or 120g of green and yellow vegetables. See the table below for more details.

Comparison between Spirulina and vegetables

characteristics	Spirulina 4g ※1	Green and Yellow Vegetable 120g ※2	Light-colored Vegetable 230g ※2
Protein	2.5g	2.3g	2.1g
Dietary fiber	0.2g	3.1g	3.5g
Calcium	12mg	72mg	62mg
Iron	3.6mg	1.3mg	0.7mg
β-Carotene	7,000μg	3,444μg	225μg
VitaminB1	0.12mg	0.11mg	0.09mg
VitaminB2	0.16mg	0.14mg	0.07mg

*1: Calculated based on dried Spirulina powder
*2 Average value of eight representative vegetables (from the 2020 edition (8th revised edition) of the Standard Tables of Food Composition in Japan, revised in 2023)
The recommended daily vegetable intake is 350g, of which 120g of green and yellow vegetables and 230g of light-coloured vegetables are recommended.

Is it okay for children and pregnant women (or women planning to fall pregnant) to take Spirulina?

Children who are able to swallow Spirulina tablets without difficulty may take Spirulina products. There are no particular rules about what amount should be taken because this is a food product, but generally we recommend that children take the same number of tablets as their age in years (i.e. around six tablets a day for a six-year-old child). Our products are also taken regularly by women who are planning to have a baby, pregnant or breastfeeding.

Are there any differences between DIC Spirulina and other brands?

If you think about rice, the place of origin and variety of rice makes a difference to the taste, content and other aspects of the rice. Products that use DIC Spirulina contain high concentrations of health-related components that can otherwise easily be broken down or lost during production, such as beta-carotene, phycocyanin and zeaxanthin. Also, there are concerns about the heavy-metal content (cadmium, lead and mercury) of cheaply priced similar products available.

How much Spirulina powder should I use per day?

There are no special rules because this is a food product, so you can start from a small amount sprinkled over your meals and then adjust the quantity to your liking. Four grams of Spirulina powder provides the same amount of beta-carotene as a day’s worth or 120g of green and yellow vegetables. Take a look at the suggested recipes with Spirulina that we have put on Cookpad.

What type of person are Spirulina extract drinks recommended for?

These are health drinks with a high content of the polysaccharides contained in Spirulina. We particularly recommend these drinks for people who are getting nutrition in their diet but want to be even healthier and stay active and energetic for longer.

Can I take it even if it has passed its best before date?

The best before dates are simply the date by which food can be eaten and enjoyed while it tastes the best. Our products do not go bad immediately after their best before date, so you may continue to take them at your own discretion. Please note that the nutritional information printed on the package is not guaranteed as valid beyond the best before date.

What condition can Spirulina be used for?
It doesn’t say on the package, so I would like to know specifically.

There is a law in Japan known as the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Act (PMD Act) that prohibits writing the effects of food on product packaging, leaflets or elsewhere as is done for medicine. This is why we have consistently complied with the laws and regulations for over 40 years since first launching our products by not printing such claims. We hear pleasing feedback from a great number of people who have been using Spirulina for many years and feel healthy.

Can I contact you by phone?

Please use the ” Contact Us” form. We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your understanding.