Interactions on record — worth a quick check against your medications. Based on 3 of 4 ingredients. Check your meds →
Dietary supplement

Balance Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Sho

Balance label
See full label image
Softgel Capsule Category: Other Combinations
Most serious interaction: Moderate
Clinical methodology reviewed by · Updated Sep 16, 2026 · Label data from the NIH DSLD
What is this page for?

First and foremost: checking Balance against your medications. The heart of this page is the interaction checker and the full interaction report — how this product’s ingredients may interact with prescription and over-the-counter medicines you may be taking.

Around that, we add a pharmacist’s high-level view of the product as a whole — what’s inside, the evidence for its stated use, how transparent the label is, and what safety data exists — so you can see the full picture in one place. It’s educational information from our licensed clinical databases and the clinical staff at HelloPharmacist — not medical advice — and we don’t sell or endorse products. Our editorial policy

The interaction bottom line Most serious interaction: Moderate

Balance is a dietary supplement by Sho with 4 active ingredients. Its ingredients are commonly taken for digestive and gut health, prebiotic to support good bacteria, constipation relief.Based on those ingredients, 498 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are Spirulina, Flaxseed Oil. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

Jump to a section

Check Your Meds Against Balance by Sho

Ask about any prescription or over-the-counter medication and we check it for interactions with Balance by Sho — and tell you which ingredient is responsible.

Pharmacist-reviewed data Checks every ingredient Answer in seconds
Prefer a human? Send your question to our licensed pharmacists — free, answered by email within 24 hours.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Balance by Sho

Our pharmacy team’s full take, with four database checks built into the cards below — a summary of what is known, not a grade of the product itself.

From our pharmacy team — supplement deep dive

Generated from HelloPharmacist’s pharmacist-curated databases and editorial rules · Last generated Jul 12, 2026

What’s inside

Full disclosure
Ingredient Transparency · database check
Full

Every active ingredient lists its own amount on the label.

Why this rating?
  • The label discloses an exact amount for 4 of its 4 active ingredients.
  • “Prebiotic (combination)” is listed as a grouped ingredient — the label doesn't break down how much of each component you get.

Sho Balance is a 4-ingredient softgel with fructooligosaccharides (a type of soluble fiber meant to feed beneficial bacteria in your gut), spirulina (a blue-green algae), Lactobacillus casei K-1 (a live probiotic strain), and flaxseed oil. The product also contains a prebiotic blend — a combination of ingredients that work together to support healthy gut bacteria.

Everything else in the capsule — the veggie gelcap shell, lecithin, rice wax, and glycerin fatty acid ester — is inactive filler material.

Does it work?

Not established
Evidence for Intended Use · database check
By FDA rules, dietary supplements can’t claim to treat, cure, or prevent disease — so labels speak in careful marketing language. We discern each product’s intended use from its name, label claims, and label statements, then grade the clinical evidence for that use. How these ratings are computed
Not established

The graded evidence we hold for these ingredients covers different conditions than the ones this product is marketed for, so there's no established rating for its stated use.

Why this rating?
  • The label markets this product for: colon health and regularity.
  • We looked for evidence on: Constipation, Travelers' diarrhea, Ulcerative colitis, Digestive health, Gut microbiota, Intestinal function.
  • The closest evidence on file: Fructo-oligosaccharides (fos) is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Constipation (Natural Medicines).
  • Also on file: Fructo-oligosaccharides (fos) is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Travelers' diarrhea.
  • Also on file: Blue-green Algae is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Ulcerative colitis.

The evidence we hold is thin across the board. For fructooligosaccharides, we have insufficient reliable evidence to rate whether it helps with osteoporosis, constipation, diabetes, traveler's diarrhea, or high cholesterol.

Spirulina is possibly effective for high blood pressure, but we don't have enough reliable evidence to rate it for acne, hay fever, anemia, or arsenic poisoning. Flaxseed oil comes back as possibly ineffective for obesity, rheumatoid arthritis, bipolar disorder, and high cholesterol — meaning the evidence we hold leans against it for those uses.

In short, this product's ability to live up to its 'Balance' name isn't firmly established in our data.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Fructo-oligosaccharides (fos) Blue-green Algae Flaxseed Oil

How safe is it?

Well-documented data
Safety Information · database check
Well characterized

Adverse-effect, pregnancy, and general safety data are on file for most of these ingredients.

Why this rating?
  • We hold adverse-effect (side-effect) data for 3 of the 3 matched ingredients.
  • Pregnancy & breastfeeding safety ratings cover 3 of 3.
  • General safety write-ups exist for 3 of 3.
  • Remember: this measures how much safety information exists. Thin data is not the same as being safe.

Spirulina and fructooligosaccharides are generally well tolerated, but both can cause gas, bloating, abdominal cramps, and diarrhea — especially at higher doses. The data on spirulina notes that quality varies widely and some products carry contamination risks with toxins or heavy metals, so sourcing matters.

Flaxseed oil is also generally well tolerated for most adults; a small number of people report changes in bowel habits, dry mouth, or indigestion at typical doses, and high doses (30 grams daily or more) have been linked to loose stools. Severe allergic reactions to flaxseed oil are rare but possible.

We hold no pregnancy or breastfeeding safety data for fructooligosaccharides or Lactobacillus casei K-1. Flaxseed oil is possibly safe in pregnancy but has limited safety information during breastfeeding, so talk with your doctor before use if you're pregnant or nursing.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Fructo-oligosaccharides (fos) Blue-green Algae Flaxseed Oil

Meds to double-check

Moderate interaction found
Known Interaction Concern · database check
Moderate identified

The most serious documented interaction for these ingredients is Moderate. Check your medications for a personalized result.

Why this rating?
  • 2 of the 3 matched ingredients can interact with medications — Blue-green Algae, Flaxseed Oil.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Moderate.
  • Some involve high-stakes drug classes: anticoagulant / antiplatelet drugs; immunosuppressants / transplant drugs; diabetes medications.
  • For scale: 498 individual medications appear in the full list. A big number alone doesn't make a product dangerous — what matters is whether YOUR medication is on it, so run yours through the interaction checker on this page.

Before taking Sho Balance, double-check if you're on blood thinners or antiplatelet drugs (like warfarin or aspirin) — both spirulina and flaxseed oil may increase bleeding risk. If you take diabetes medication, spirulina could lower your blood sugar further.

Blood pressure medication users should be cautious with flaxseed oil, which may add to a blood-pressure-lowering effect. Anyone on immunosuppressants (like those after a transplant) should check with their pharmacist, since spirulina may interfere.

If you take ezetimibe (Zetia), flaxseed oil blocks its ability to work. Use the medication search tool below to verify your exact prescriptions.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFully disclosed formula with no established evidence rating for its marketed use. Moderate medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.

Sho Balance is a multi-ingredient probiotic and prebiotic supplement that's generally well tolerated but carries documented Moderate-level interactions with blood thinners, blood pressure drugs, diabetes medications, and immune-suppressing therapy. If you take any of those medications, check this product against your specific drugs before starting.

The evidence for what it actually does is sparse, so manage expectations — and talk to your pharmacist about whether it fits your health goals.

Educational only — not medical advice; always confirm with your pharmacist. Our editorial policy · How we use AI

Assessment coverage: 3 of 4 active ingredients matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated Feb 24, 2017.

This Scorecard evaluates available label information, ingredient evidence, and known medication-safety considerations. It does not independently verify product identity, purity, potency, contamination, or manufacturing quality. How these ratings are computed

At a glance

General information

Key facts about Balance, straight from the product label.

Brand Sho
Barcode (UPC) 0199623153122
Net contents 60 Spheri-Gel(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Feb 24, 2017
DSLD ID 70420
Product type Other Combinations
Supplement form Softgel Capsule
Dietary claims / uses All Other, Structure/Function
Intended target group(s) Vegetarian, Adult (18 - 50 Years), Gluten Free, Dairy Free
From the label
Everything in this section is reproduced from the manufacturer’s own product label — it’s the label speaking, not HelloPharmacist. We show it so you can see exactly what the maker states; we don’t verify or endorse those statements.

Supplement Facts

The label details for Balance by Sho, sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database.

Supplement Facts

Daily Value (DV) Target Group(s):
Adults and children 4 or more years of age
Minimum serving Sizes:
2 Spheri-Gel(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
2 Spheri-Gel(s)
Servings per container
30
UPC/BARCODE
0199623153122
IngredientAmount% DV
Fructooligosaccharides20 mg--
Spirulina20 mg--
Lactobacillus casei K-1100 mg--
Prebiotic (combination)0 NP--
Flaxseed Oil100 mg--

Other ingredients: Veggie gelcap, Lecithin, Rice Wax, Glycerin Fatty Acid Ester

Tap any ingredient to jump to its full detail below.

Label statements
These statements are the manufacturer’s wording, reproduced from the product label — the label is saying it, not HelloPharmacist. We don’t verify or endorse them.
Brand IP Statement(s)

Sho: simple health organizer, clicks modern nutrition into your hand, and helps track your daily dietary supplement intake. Evidence-based scientific formulas in easy-to-swallow Spheri-Gels.

Spheri-Gels

Formulation

No artificial colors, flavors, additives, or preservatives.

Veggie formula

Vegetarian.

Vegetarian. Free of gluten, wheat, dairy, nuts, fish, shellfish, eggs, sweeteners.

General Statements

Patents pending.

Digestive & immune health

100 billion CFU Premium blend

Promotes colon health, regularity, and immunity.

Recycle

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Completely remove the seal before re-assembling for use. Best consumed within one month after opening.

Directions: 2 Spheri-Gels daily, minimum 2 weeks for best results.

Storage

Store in a cool, dry location.

Precautions

For adults only.

Keep out of reach of children.

Lecithin contains trace amount of soy protein.

Formula

Promotes colon health and regularity with clinically proven 100 billion plant-based B. casei K-1 probiotics. Addition of prebiotic, spirulina, flaxseed and olive oil further enhances intestinal health and immunity.

Lecithin contains trace amount of soy protein.

FDA Disclaimer Statement

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

FDA Statement of Identity

Dietary Supplement

General

BA1501

Is this label outdated? Report a formula or label change and our pharmacy team will review it.

See for yourself

Balance by Sho label

The label scan from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database. Tap to enlarge.

Balance label

Label images are published by the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database for the version of this product on file. Always read your actual product label.

View the full label (PDF)
What’s inside

The Ingredients in Balance by Sho

These are the 4 active ingredients this product is made of. Select any to open its full monograph.

Serving size2 Spheri-Gel(s) Dosage formSoftgel Capsule Servings per container30 Amounts shown are per serving.

Most supplement products combine several ingredients, and a medication can interact with the product through any one of them. Each ingredient below shows whether it has known drug interactions.

Lactobacillus casei K-1

100 mg per serving

Prebiotic (combination)

0 NP per serving

Flaxseed Oil

Interacts with
293 drugs
100 mg per serving Form: Alpha-Linolenic Acid

Flaxseed oil is a plant-based source of the omega-3 fatty acid ALA, which the body can partly convert to the omega-3s found in fish oil. It may help s...

Flaxseed Oil monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: Veggie gelcap, Lecithin, Rice Wax, Glycerin Fatty Acid Ester. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Balance by Sho Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Balance?

Ask about interactions with your drugs in plain English — “Can I take it with lisinopril?” — and we find you the answer in seconds, ingredient by ingredient.

 Go to the checker
498Drugs
498 Moderate

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Spirulina 327
Flaxseed Oil 293

Individual Drug Interactions

The ingredients in Balance interact with 498 drugs. Click any drug to see the details.

2 of the 4 ingredients in Balance interact with drugs. Each result below shows which ingredient is responsible. Spirulina Flaxseed Oil

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Balance with known interactions, here are the types of medications they can affect. Open any type for the detail — or search your exact drug in the checker above.

Spirulina3 drug types · 327 drugs

Anticoagulant/Antiplatelet Drugs

Theoretically, spirulina blue-green algae might increase the risk of bleeding if used with other anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs. However, this is unlikely.
Spirulina blue-green algae have shown antiplatelet and anticoagulant effects in vitro. 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.

Likelihood Unlikely Evidence D
Antidiabetes Drugs

Theoretically, taking blue-green algae with antidiabetes drugs might increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
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. However, blue-green algae does not seem to improve glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels in patients with diabetes. A meta-analysis of animal studies also suggests that spirulina blue-green algae have hypoglycemic effects.

Likelihood Possible Evidence B
Immunosuppressants

Theoretically, concurrent use of blue-green algae might interfere with immunosuppressive therapy.
Blue-green algae have been shown to stimulate the immune system.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Spirulina full monograph & interactions

Flaxseed Oil3 drug types · 293 drugs

Anticoagulant/Antiplatelet Drugs

Theoretically, using flaxseed oil in combination with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs might have additive effects and increase the risk of bleeding.
Small clinical studies show that consuming flaxseed oil might decrease platelet aggregation and increase bleeding time.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Antihypertensive Drugs

Theoretically, combining flaxseed oil with other antihypertensive drugs might have additive effects and increase the risk of hypotension.
Some clinical evidence suggests that long-term consumption of flaxseed oil can modestly lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure, while other clinical research shows no effect.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Ezetimibe (Zetia)

Concomitant use of flaxseed oil and ezetimibe reduces the absorption of alpha-linolenic acid from flaxseed oil.
In one clinical study, concomitant consumption of ezetimibe 10 mg daily with flaxseed oil 2 grams providing 1 gram of alpha-linolenic acid daily blocked the absorption of alpha-linolenic acid, resulting in an overall reduction in alpha-linolenic plasma levels from baseline.

Likelihood Probable Evidence B
Flaxseed Oil full monograph & interactions
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Balance, from the product label.

Sho

See all Sho products
Name
SHO Nutrition. LLC
City
New York
State
NY
ZipCode
10023
Web Address
www.shonutrition.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Balance by Sho: Common Questions

Does Balance by Sho interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Balance has a known interaction with 498 medications. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Balance contains 4 active ingredients, and an interaction can come from any of them. We check every ingredient, combine the results into one list per medication, and show which ingredient and mechanism is responsible.
Where does this information come from?
The product label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database (DSLD); the interaction data is built on the Natural Medicines database and reviewed by HelloPharmacist pharmacists.
Will Sho Balance give me the bloating and gas I'm worried about?
Both fructooligosaccharides and spirulina can cause bloating, gas, and stomach cramps — it's their most common side effect. The good news is that for FOS, the clinical evidence shows these symptoms tend to be mild at doses under 10 grams daily, and some studies found no increase at all. Starting low and letting your gut adjust may help.
Is the spirulina in this product safe — I've heard about contamination?
Spirulina quality varies widely, and some products do carry contamination with toxins or heavy metals. The product facts note this as a concern. We'd recommend checking with Sho about their sourcing and testing standards, or talking with your pharmacist about whether this particular brand meets safety benchmarks.
Can I take this if I'm pregnant?
We don't have safety data on file for fructooligosaccharides or the Lactobacillus strain in this product during pregnancy. Flaxseed oil is rated possibly safe in pregnancy, but there isn't enough information during breastfeeding. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist before starting — they can give you personalized advice based on your situation.
Does this product actually work for digestion or whatever it's supposed to do?
We don't have strong evidence that fructooligosaccharides help with constipation, diabetes, or cholesterol — the data is insufficient to rate them. Same story with most of spirulina's uses and flaxseed oil. The one bright spot is spirulina may help lower blood pressure, but overall the evidence backing this product's claims is thin in our data.
What is Lactobacillus casei K-1, and is it safe?
It's a live probiotic strain — a 'good bacteria' meant to support your gut health. We don't hold interaction data for this particular strain, so we can't check it against your medications. For side effects and safety details, you'd want to ask your pharmacist or check directly with Sho.
Are there any fillers or other junk in this?
The capsule contains inactive ingredients — a veggie gelcap shell, lecithin, rice wax, and glycerin fatty acid ester. Those are all standard capsule materials and binders, not concerning additives, but they are there.

Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy

Not sure if Balance is safe with your meds?

Our pharmacists answer your medication & supplement questions — free.

Ask a pharmacist

Label information is sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database and reflects the product version on file; always read your actual product label. This page is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Confirm with your pharmacist or doctor before combining supplements and medications.

Balance label
Go deeper

The Full Monographs Behind Balance’s Ingredients

Every ingredient we hold a full HelloPharmacist monograph for — uses, evidence, safety, and the complete interaction list.

Herb & supplement monograph

Fructo-oligosaccharides (fos)

Fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) are a type of soluble fiber that acts as a prebiotic, meaning they feed the helpful bacteria in your gut. They are generally considered safe for most people in...

Read the full Fructo-oligosaccharides (fos) monograph → Herb & supplement monograph

Blue-green Algae

Interacts with 327 drugs

Blue-green algae are nutrient-rich aquatic microorganisms (such as spirulina and Klamath Lake algae) taken as a supplement for energy, nutrition, and general wellness. Evidence for most heal...

Read the full Blue-green Algae monograph → Herb & supplement monograph

Flaxseed Oil

Interacts with 293 drugs

Flaxseed oil is a plant-based source of the omega-3 fatty acid ALA, which the body can partly convert to the omega-3s found in fish oil. It may help support heart health and provide healthy...

Read the full Flaxseed Oil monograph →
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Balance's label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database; the ingredient interaction data is from the Natural Medicines database, reviewed by our pharmacists.

Content is written and reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists. See our data sources and editorial standards for how this information is built and checked.

The 49 references behind this product’s interaction data

Every citation that drives the interaction findings for this product’s ingredients, from the evidence-graded Natural Medicines (TRC Healthcare) database. Open an ingredient to browse its citations — links open the study on PubMed or the publisher’s site.

Fructo-oligosaccharides (fos) 6 references
  1. Briet F, et al. Symptomatic response to varying levels of fructo-oligosaccharides consumed occasionally or regularly. Eur J Clin Nutr 1995;49:501-7.
  2. Bouhnik Y, Vahedi K, Achour L, et al. Short-chain fructo-oligosaccharide administration dose-dependently increases fecal bifidobacteria in healthy humans. J Nutr 1999;129:113-6. PubMed
  3. Cummings JH, Macfarlane GT, Englyst HN. Prebiotic digestion and fermentation. Am J Clin Nutr 2001;73:415S-420S. PubMed
  4. Souza DDS, Tahan S, Weber TK, Araujo-Filho HB, de Morais MB. Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled parallel clinical trial assessing the effect of fructooligosaccharides in infants with constipation. Nutrients. 2018;10(11). pii: E1602. PubMed
  5. Andermann TM, Fouladi F, Tamburini FB, et al. A Fructo-Oligosaccharide Prebiotic Is Well Tolerated in Adults Undergoing Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation: A Phase I Dose-Escalation Trial. Transplant Cell Ther 2021;27(11):932. PubMed
  6. Dou Y, Yu X, Luo Y, Chen B, Ma D, Zhu J. Effect of Fructooligosaccharides Supplementation on the Gut Microbiota in Human: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Nutrients 2022;14(16):3298. PubMed

See these in context on the Fructo-oligosaccharides (fos) monograph →

Blue-green Algae 22 references
  1. Jensen GS, Ginsberg DJ, Huerta P, et al. Consumption of Aphanizomenon flos-aquae has rapid effects on the circulation and function of immune cells in humans. A novel approach to nutritional mobilization of the immune system. JANA 2000;2:50-6.
  2. Iwasa M, Yamamoto M, Tanaka Y, et al. Spirulina-associated hepatotoxicity. Am J Gastroenterol 2002;97:3212-13. PubMed
  3. Hayashi O, Katoh T, Okuwaki Y. Enhancement of antibody production in mice by dietary Spirulina platensis. J Nutr Sci Vitaminol (Tokyo) 1994;40:431-41.. PubMed
  4. Vitale S, Miller NR, Mejico LJ, et al. A randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover clinical trial of super blue-green algae in patients with essential blepharospasm or Meige syndrome. Am J Ophthalmol 2004;138:18-32. PubMed
  5. Mani UV, Desai S, Iyer U. Studies on the long-term effect of spirulina supplementation on serum lipid profile and glycated proteins in NIDDM patients. J Nutraceut 2000;2(3):25-32. DOI
  6. Chiu HF, Yang SP, Kuo YL, et al. Mechanisms involved in the antiplatelet effect of C-phycocyanin. Br J Nutr 2006;95:435-40. PubMed
  7. Hsiao G, Chou PH, Shen MY, et al. C-phycocyanin, a very potent and novel platelet aggregation inhibitor from Spirulina platensis. J Agric Food Chem 2005;53:7734-40.
  8. Katz M, Levine AA, Kol-Degani H, Kav-Venaki L. A compound herbal preparation (CHP) in the treatment of children with ADHD: a randomized controlled trial. J Atten Disord 2010;14:281-91. PubMed
  9. Madhyastha, H. K., Radha, K. S., Sugiki, M., Omura, S., and Maruyama, M. Purification of c-phycocyanin from Spirulina fusiformis and its effect on the induction of urokinase-type plasminogen activator from calf pulmonary endothelial cells. Phytomedicine PubMed
  10. Mazokopakis, E. E., Karefilakis, C. M., Tsartsalis, A. N., Milkas, A. N., and Ganotakis, E. S. Acute rhabdomyolysis caused by Spirulina (Arthrospira platensis). Phytomedicine. 2008;15(6-7):525-527. PubMed
  11. Halidou, Doudou M., Degbey, H., Daouda, H., Leveque, A., Donnen, P., Hennart, P., and Dramaix-Wilmet, M. [The effect of spiruline during nutritional rehabilitation: systematic review]. Rev.Epidemiol.Sante Publique 2008;56(6):425-431.
  12. Konno, T., Umeda, Y., Umeda, M., Kawachi, I., Oyake, M., and Fujita, N. [A case of inflammatory myopathy with widely skin rash following use of supplements containing Spirulina]. Rinsho Shinkeigaku 2011;51(5):330-333. PubMed
  13. Le TM, Knulst AC, Röckmann H. Anaphylaxis to Spirulina confirmed by skin prick test with ingredients of Spirulina tablets. Food Chem Toxicol 2014;74:309-10. PubMed
  14. Rzymski P, Niedzielski P, Kaczmarek N, Jurczak T, Klimaszyk P. The multidisciplinary approach to safety and toxicity assessment of microalgae-based food supplements following clinical cases of poisoning. Harmful Algae 2015;46:34-42. DOI
  15. Petrus M, Culerrier R, Campistron M, et al. First case report of anaphylaxis to spirulin: identification of phycocyanin as responsible allergen. Allergy 2010;65(7):924-5. PubMed
  16. Marles RJ, Barrett ML, Barnes J, et al. United States Pharmacopeia safety evaluation of spirulina. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr 2011;51(7):593-604. PubMed
  17. Majdoub H, Ben Mansour M, Chaubet F, et al. Anticoagulant activity of a sulfated polysaccharide from the green alga Arthrospira platensis. Biochim Biophys Acta 2009;1790(10):1377-81. PubMed
  18. Cha BG, Kwak HW, Park AR, et al. Structural characteristics and biological performance of silk fibroin nanofiber containing microalgae spirulina extract. Biopolymers 2014;101(4):307-18. PubMed
  19. Jensen GS, Drapeau C, Lenninger M, Benson KF. Clinical safety of a high dose of phycocyanin-enriched aqueous extract from Arthrospira (Spirulina) platensis: results from a randomized, double-Blind, placebo-controlled study with a focus on anticoagulant ac
  20. Hamedifard Z, Milajerdi A, Reiner Z, Taghizadeh M, Kolahdooz F, Asemi Z. The effects of spirulina on glycemic control and serum lipoproteins in patients with metabolic syndrome and related disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized con
  21. Moradi S, Zobeiri M, Feizi A, Clark CCT, Entezari MH. The effects of spirulina (Arthrospira platensis) supplementation on anthropometric indices, blood pressure, sleep quality, mental health, fatigue status and quality of life in patients with ulcerative
  22. Ghanbari F, Amerizadeh A, Behshood P, Moradi S, Asgary S. Effect of microalgae arthrospira on biomarkers of glycemic control and glucose metabolism: a systematic Review and meta-analysis. Curr Probl Cardiol 2022;47(10):100942. PubMed

See these in context on the Blue-green Algae monograph →

Flaxseed Oil 21 references
  1. Kolonel LN, Nomura AM, Cooney RV. Dietary fat and prostate cancer: current status. J Natl Cancer Inst 1999;91:414-28. PubMed
  2. Ramon JM, Bou R, Romea S, et al. Dietary fat intake and prostate cancer risk: a case-control study in Spain. Cancer Causes Control 2000;11:679-85. PubMed
  3. Nordstrom DC, Honkanen VE, Nasu Y, et al. Alpha-linolenic acid in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. A double-blind, placebo-controlled and randomized study: flaxseed vs. safflower seed. Rheumatol Int 1995;14:231-4. PubMed
  4. De Stefani E, Deneo-Pellegrini H, Boffetta P, et al. Alpha-linolenic acid and risk of prostate cancer: a case-control study in Uruguay. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2000;9:335-8.
  5. Giovannucci E, Rimm EB, Colditz GA, et al. A prospective study of dietary fat and risk of prostate cancer. J Natl Cancer Inst 1993;85:1571-9. PubMed
  6. Bloedon LT, Szapary PO. Flaxseed and cardiovascular risk. Nutr Rev 2004;62:18-27. DOI
  7. Laaksonen DE, Laukkanen JA, Niskanen L, et al. Serum linoleic and total polyunsaturated fatty acids in relation to prostate and other cancers: a population-based cohort study. Int J Cancer 2004;111:444-50.. PubMed
  8. Brouwer IA, Katan MB, Zock PL. Dietary alpha-linolenic acid is associated with reduced risk of fatal coronary heart disease, but increased prostate cancer risk: a meta-analysis. J Nutr 2004;134:919-22.
  9. Paschos GK, Magkos F, Panagiotakos DB, et al. Dietary supplementation with flaxseed oil lowers blood pressure in dyslipidaemic patients. Eur J Clin Nutr 2007;61:1201-6. PubMed
  10. Harper CR, Edwards MC, Jacobson TA. Flaxseed oil supplementation does not affect plasma lipoprotein concentration or particle size in human subjects. J Nutr 2006;136:2844-8. PubMed
  11. University of Montreal. Pregnant Women Consuming Flaxseed Oil Have High Risk Of Premature Birth.ScienceDaily, October 29, 2008. Available at: www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081027140817.htm (Accessed May 14, 2009).
  12. Allman, M. A., Pena, M. M., and Pang, D. Supplementation with flaxseed oil versus sunflowerseed oil in healthy young men consuming a low fat diet: effects on platelet composition and function. Eur.J Clin.Nutr. 1995;49(3):169-178.
  13. Ursoniu S, Sahebkar A, Andrica F, Serban C, Banach M; Lipid and Blood Pressure Meta-analysis Collaboration Group. Effects of flaxseed supplements on blood pressure: a systematic review and meta-analysis of controlled clinical trial. Clin Nutr. 2016 Jun;3 PubMed
  14. Taghizadeh M, Jamilian M, Mazloomi M, Sanami M, Asemi Z. A randomized-controlled clinical trial investigating the effect of omega-3 fatty acids on vitamin E co-supplementation on markers of insulin metabolism and lipid profiles in gestational diabetes. J
  15. Blackwood DP, LaVallee RK, Al Busaidi A, Jassal DS, Pierce GN. A randomized trial of the effects of ezetimibe on the absorption of omega-3 fatty acids in cardiac disease patients: a pilot study. Clin Nutr ESPEN. 2015 Oct;10(5):e155-e159. PubMed
  16. Morshedzadeh N, Shahrokh S, Aghdaei HA, et al. Effects of flaxseed and flaxseed oil supplement on serum levels of inflammatory markers, metabolic parameters and severity of disease in patients with ulcerative colitis. Complement Ther Med. 2019;46:36-43. PubMed
  17. Downie LE, Hom MM, Berdy GJ, et al. An artificial tear containing flaxseed oil for treating dry eye disease: A randomized controlled trial. Ocul Surf. 2020;18(1):148-157. PubMed
  18. Saleh-Ghadimi S, Kheirouri S, Golmohammadi A, Moludi J, Jafari-Vayghan H, Alizadeh M. Effect of flaxseed oil supplementation on anthropometric and metabolic indices in patients with coronary artery disease: A double-blinded randomized controlled trial. J PubMed
  19. Jamilian M, Tabassi Z, Reiner Z, et al. The effects of n-3 fatty acids from flaxseed oil on genetic and metabolic profiles in patients with gestational diabetes mellitus: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Br J Nutr. 2020;123(7):792-799
  20. Li L, Li H, Gao Y, Vafaei S, Zhang X, Yang M. Effect of flaxseed supplementation on blood pressure: a systematic review, and dose-response meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials. Food Funct 2023;14(2):675-690. PubMed
  21. Mahmudiono T, Jasim SA, Karim YS, et al. The effect of flaxseed oil consumption on blood pressure among patients with metabolic syndrome and related disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials. Phytother Res 2022;36(10):

See these in context on the Flaxseed Oil monograph →

Parts of this content are provided by the Therapeutic Research Center, LLC.

DISCLAIMER: Currently this does not check for drug-drug interactions. This is not an all-inclusive comprehensive list of potential interactions and is for informational purposes only. Not all interactions are known or well-reported in the scientific literature, and new interactions are continually being reported. Input is needed from a qualified healthcare provider including a pharmacist before starting any therapy. Application of clinical judgment is necessary.

© 2021 Therapeutic Research Center, LLC

Keep exploring
Supplement interaction checker › Check any supplement or product against your medications Drug–drug interactions › Check two or more of your medications against each other Browse medications A–Z › Every drug we've checked against herbs & supplements NDC & pricing lookup › Find a drug’s NDCs, packaging and costs Ask a pharmacist › Free, personal answer from our licensed team