Ingredients | Amount Per Serving |
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Proprietary Blend
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2100 mg |
(Spirulina )
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Vegetarian Capsule (Form: Hypromellose), Vegetable Magnesium Stearate, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Rice Flour
Below is general information about the effectiveness of the known ingredients contained in the product Polarity Balance. Some ingredients may not be listed. This information does NOT represent a recommendation for or a test of this specific product as a whole.
INSUFFICIENT RELIABLE EVIDENCE to RATE
INSUFFICIENT RELIABLE EVIDENCE to RATE
Below is general information about the safety of the known ingredients contained in the product Polarity Balance. Some ingredients may not be listed. This information does NOT represent a recommendation for or a test of this specific product as a whole.
POSSIBLY SAFE ...when used orally and appropriately, short-term. Bee pollen has been safely used in clinical trials lasting up to 30 days (7062,7063,12008,33973). There is also preliminary evidence that taking 2 tablets twice daily of a specific combination product containing royal jelly 6 mg, bee pollen extract 36 mg, and bee pollen plus pistil extract 120 mg (Femal, Natumin Pharma) per tablet for up to 2 months seems to be safe (12008).
PREGNANCY: POSSIBLY UNSAFE
when used orally.
There is some concern that bee pollen might have uterine stimulant effects (5,6,11); avoid using.
LACTATION:
Insufficient reliable information available; avoid using.
POSSIBLY SAFE ...when non-contaminated species of spirulina blue-green algae are used orally and appropriately (91713). The blue-green algae species Arthrospira platensis has been used with apparent safety in doses up to 19 grams daily for 2 months, or 10 grams daily for 6 months (18296,18300,18306,75944,91705,99703,104567,109965). The blue-green algae species Arthrospira fusiformis has been used with apparent safety in doses up to 4 grams daily for 3 months, or 1 gram daily for 12 months (15782,91717). Another blue-green algae species, Arthrospira maxima, has been used with apparent safety in a dose of 4.5 grams daily for up to 12 weeks (18297,99654,99655,102688). ...when non-contaminated, non-toxin producing strains of blue-green algae from the Aphanizomenon flos-aquae species are used orally and appropriately. Doses up to 1.6 grams daily have been used with apparent safety for up to 6 months (14842,18310). Some blue-green algae species can produce toxins called microcystins. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the tolerable daily intake of microcystins in adults is 0.04 mcg/kg (96549).
POSSIBLY UNSAFE ...when contaminated blue-green algae are used orally. Blue-green algae can be contaminated with heavy metals (including mercury, cadmium, lead, or arsenic), neurotoxins, and toxic microcystin-producing cyanobacteria such as Microcystis aeruginosa (9171,75966,91704,91711,96550). Microcystins are most commonly reported in the blue-green algae species Aphanizomenon flos-aquae harvested from Upper Klamath Lake in Oregon. The Oregon Department of Health has set a limit of 1 mcg of microcystin-LR equivalents per gram dry weight of blue-green algae, assuming consumption of about 2 grams/day by adults (91704,91713). However, many samples of Aphanizomenon flos-aquae have been reported to contain higher levels than this (9171,91704). According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the tolerable daily intake of microcystins in adults is 0.04 mcg/kg (96549). When consumed orally, microcystins accumulate in the liver, binding to and inhibiting protein phosphatases, causing hepatocyte damage and possible tumor promotion (9171). Aphanizomenon flos-aquae can also produce neurotoxic compounds that may be present in supplements containing this organism (91704).
CHILDREN: POSSIBLY UNSAFE
when blue-green algae products are used orally.
Blue-green algae can accumulate heavy metals such as lead and mercury (91704,91711). They can also contain toxic microcystins produced by contaminating species of cyanobacteria such a Microcystis aeruginosa (91704). Children are more sensitive to poisoning by microcystins (3536). The Oregon Department of Health has set a limit for microcystins of 1 mcg per gram dry weight of blue-green algae, but some countries have set very low exposure limits of 0.2 mcg per day and 0.8 mcg per day for infants and children, respectively (91704).
PREGNANCY AND LACTATION:
Insufficient reliable information available; avoid using.
Some blue-green algae products, specifically those of the species Aphanizomenon flos-aquae, have been found to contain low amounts of beta-methylamino-L-alanine (BMAA). BMAA is associated with neurodegenerative diseases, and breast milk has been shown to be a potential source of BMAA exposure in infants (96550).
Below is general information about the interactions of the known ingredients contained in the product Polarity Balance. Some ingredients may not be listed. This information does NOT represent a recommendation for or a test of this specific product as a whole.
There is some concern that bee pollen might interact with warfarin and increase the risk of bleeding.
Details
In one case report, a patient on warfarin had a stable international normalized ratio (INR) of 1.9-3.3 for 9 months. The patient's INR was found to be 7.1 after starting bee pollen granules one teaspoon twice daily for approximately one month. The patient's warfarin dose was decreased by approximately 11% in order to return the INR to the therapeutic range while continuing the bee pollen supplement (18063).
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Theoretically, spirulina blue-green algae might increase the risk of bleeding if used with other anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs. However, this is unlikely.
Details
Spirulina blue-green algae have shown antiplatelet and anticoagulant effects in vitro (18311,18312,75892,92162,92163). However, one preliminary study in 24 patients receiving spirulina blue-green algae 2.3 grams daily for 2 weeks showed no effect on platelet activation or measures of clotting time (97202).
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Theoretically, taking blue-green algae with antidiabetes drugs might increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
Details
Human research shows that spirulina blue-green algae can have hypoglycemic effects in patients with diabetes, at least some of whom were using antidiabetes drugs (18299). However, blue-green algae does not seem to improve glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels in patients with diabetes (102689,109970). A meta-analysis of animal studies also suggests that spirulina blue-green algae have hypoglycemic effects (109970).
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Theoretically, concurrent use of blue-green algae might interfere with immunosuppressive therapy.
Details
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Below is general information about the adverse effects of the known ingredients contained in the product Polarity Balance. Some ingredients may not be listed. This information does NOT represent a recommendation for or a test of this specific product as a whole.
General
...Orally, bee pollen seems to be well tolerated in most patients.
Serious Adverse Effects (Rare):
Orally: Acute hepatitis, allergic reactions, interstitial nephritis, kidney failure.
Dermatologic ...Orally, a case of photosensitivity has been reported for a 32-year-old patient who took a dietary supplement containing ginseng, goldenseal, bee pollen, and other ingredients. Symptoms included a pruritic, erythematous rash that was localized to the sun-exposed surfaces of the neck and extremities. Following treatment with topical and subcutaneous corticosteroids and discontinuation of the supplement, the skin rash slowly resolved. It is not known if this effect was due to the bee pollen, one of the other ingredients, or their combination (33954).
Hepatic ...Orally, there have been two cases of acute hepatitis associated with bee pollen use. One case involved ingestion of two tablespoons of pure bee pollen daily for several months. Another case involved ingestion of 14 tablets per day of a combination herbal product containing bee pollen, chaparral, and 19 other herbs for 6 weeks (1351). In this case, it is not known if bee pollen or another herb might have caused the adverse event.
Immunologic
...Patients with a history of seasonal pollen allergies, particularly allergies to plants in the Asteraceae/Compositae family, including ragweed, chrysanthemums, marigolds, daisies, and many other herbs, are at risk for serious allergic reactions to oral bee pollen.
Allergic reactions can include itching, swelling, shortness of breath, lightheadedness, and anaphylaxis (5,6,11,13480,33952,33965,91981,91984,109991). In one case, exercise may have contributed to the reaction. A 15-year-old male developed generalized urticaria, facial angioedema, and dyspnea 30 minutes into a vigorous exercise session and an hour after ingesting bee pollen granules. The patient experienced abdominal cramps within minutes of consuming bee pollen on 3 previous occasions and had a positive skin prick test for bee pollen after the anaphylactic reaction (109991). Allergy symptoms due to chronic intake of bee pollen include gastrointestinal and neurologic symptoms and eosinophilia (2627,33964).
A case of allergic eosinophilic gastropathy has been reported for a 5 year-old child who was given bee pollen daily to strengthen the immune system. Symptoms included abdominal pain, vomiting, and swelling of the eyelids and legs (91981).
Neurologic/CNS ...Orally, there is one report of dizziness in a patient who took a combination product containing royal jelly, bee pollen extract, and a bee pollen plus pistil extract (12008). It is not known if this effect was due to the bee pollen, another ingredient, or the combination.
Renal ...Orally, there is one report of a patient taking a bee pollen-containing supplement for greater than 5 months who developed breathing difficulties, edema with weight gain, and loss of appetite. The patient was diagnosed with interstitial nephritis and drug-induced acute kidney failure. The supplement was discontinued and the patient was started on hemodialysis. The patient improved after several sessions of hemodialysis (18068).
Other ...Although some research has shown a lack of mycotoxins in twenty samples of bee pollen, analysis of other ready-to-eat bee pollen products have revealed contamination with potential mycotoxin producing species, including Penicillium verrucosum, Aspergillus niger aggregate, Aspergillus carbonarius, Aspergillus ochraceus, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus parasiticus, and Alternaria spp. (33959,33961).
General
...Orally, spirulina blue-green algae seem to be well tolerated.
Most Common Adverse Effects:
Orally: Abdominal cramps, bloating, diarrhea, dizziness, fatigue, flatulence, headache, nausea, and vomiting.
Dermatologic ...Orally, a severe rash has been reported in a 49-year-old woman after taking a spirulina blue-green algae supplement (species and dose unknown). After stopping the supplement, inflammatory myopathy with muscle weakness and elevated creatine kinase occurred. The condition resolved with corticosteroid and cyclophosphamide treatment (75936). In another case report, an 82 year-old woman developed a blistering skin condition over a 2-year period while taking spirulina blue-green algae (A. platensis, dose unknown). She had partly hemorrhagic bullae, secreting erosions and macerations. These symptoms resolved when the supplement was stopped and the patient was treated with oral prednisone, topical silver sulfadiazine, and topical triamcinolone / neomycin (75921).
Gastrointestinal ...Orally, gastrointestinal complaints are amongst the most common adverse effects associated with spirulina blue-green algae, including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps (19272,75924,91713,109969). Similarly, common adverse effects associated with the blue-green algae species Aphanizomenon flos-aquae are stomach upset, flatulence, diarrhea, and bloating (14842).
Hematologic ...Orally, three cases of mild gum bleeding and one case of mild bruising have been reported in patients taking spirulina blue-green algae (Cyactiv, Cerule LLC) 2. 3 grams daily (containing approximately 1 gram of phycocanin) for 2 weeks (97202).
Hepatic ...Orally, significant elevations of liver function tests within 2 weeks of starting a spirulina blue-green algae supplement (species and dose unknown) have been reported in a 52-year-old man stabilized on amlodipine, simvastatin, and acarbose. A biopsy showed feathery degeneration and ballooning of hepatic cells. Cholestasis was present, and an ex-vivo lymphocyte stimulation test for spirulina blue-green algae was positive. All drugs and the spirulina blue-green algae supplement were stopped, with return of the LFTs to normal (9172).
Immunologic
...Orally, urticarial rashes and pruritus have occurred as part of generalized allergic reactions to blue-green algae (91706,91711,91712).
In one case report, a 14-year-old male experienced anaphylaxis with urticaria, lip edema, and asthma 6 hours after taking five tablets of spirulina blue-green algae (A. platensis, strength unknown). He had a positive skin prick test. Oral challenge to an extract of the tablets, and IgE from his serum, reacted with the beta chain of C-phycocyanin from A. platensis (91712).
In another case report, a 17-year-old male with a history of multiple allergies developed rash, pruritus, angioedema, wheezing, and dyspnea within 10 minutes of taking spirulina blue-green algae (A. platensis) 300 mg. He had a positive skin test to A. platensis but no other ingredients of the tablets (91706).
Musculoskeletal ...Orally, after a 49-year-old woman stopped taking a spirulina blue-green algae supplement (species and dose unknown), the patient experienced inflammatory myopathy with muscle weakness and elevated creatine kinase. The condition resolved with corticosteroid and cyclophosphamide treatment (75936). Another case report describes acute rhabdomyolysis that occurred after consumption of spirulina (Arthrospira platensis, Hawaiian spirulina, Solgar Inc., Leonia, NJ) 3 grams daily for 1 month. The 24-year old man presented with weakness, myalgias, elevated creatine kinase and liver function tests, and myoglobinuria (75922).