Spirulina is a natural algae spray dried and turned into a powder. When harvested correctly from non-contaminated ponds and bodies of water, it is one of the most potent nutrient sources available. It is largely made up of protein and essential amino acids, typically recommended to vegans for its high natural iron content and known for its high B-12 content. Which is claimed the only nutrient that vegans and vegetarians suffer a deficiency from.
Spirulina, a one-celled organism, that got its name from the Latin word for “helix” or “spiral” physical characteristics. Spirulina is mostly known as a nutritional supplement or an ingredient to add nutrient power to smoothies and green drinks. As one of the oldest life forms on Earth, the use of spirulina as a food source dates all the way back to 9th century Chad where it is turned into dry cakes, it is believed spirulina was used by the Aztecs in 16th-century Mexico. The high concentration of protein and iron also makes it ideal during pregnancy, after surgery, or anytime the immune system needs a boost. Today, popular lifestyle personalities endorse Spirulina as a secret, potent "superfood," a "miracle from the sea."
Spirulina has been widely used to fight malnutrition, the organisation Antenna India provides spirulina “sweets” to children at risk of malnutrition and offer low-cost spirulina to women in self-help groups, who can then sell the superfood for profit while raising awareness about malnutrition.
"Research has shown that children who received a spirulina supplement daily, five days a week for two months had better nutritional status and improved intellectual status compared to those who did not."
This food is so nutritionally dense that NASA and The European Space Agency are researching the benefits of incorporating spirulina into astronauts’ diets on spaceships and on Mars. Spirulina,is an incredible superfood that provides a concentrated source of protein, vitamins, antioxidants, and other nutrients.
Spirulina Nutritional Health-Boosting Profile
- Spirulina has 2300% more iron than spinach
- Spirulina has 3900% more beta carotene than carrots
- Spirulina has 300% more calcium than whole milk
- Spirulina has 375% more protein than tofu
- Spirulina is 31 times more potent than blueberries and 60 times more potent than spinach in phytonutrient levels
- Spirulina has about the same calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium content as milk
- Spirulina has a vitamin E level comparable to wheat germ
- Four times as much vitamin B12 as raw liver
- On a gram per gram level, it contains 26 times more calcium than milk.
- Has 400% more antioxidants than blueberries.
- Can help to alleviate allergies.
- Spirulina contains Omega 3-,6 and 9s and is especially high in Omega-3s.
- It’s an excellent source of theanine, riboflavin and vitamins C, D and E.
- Naturally rich in iodine
- Minerals (including calcium, iron, magnesium, selenium, manganese, potassium, and zinc)
- vitamins B-1(thiamine), B-2 (riboflavin), B-3(nicotinamide), B-6 (pyridoxine), B-9 (folic acid), vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin A and vitamin E. It is also a source of potassium, calcium, chromium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, selenium, sodium and zinc.
- One of best known sources of GLA, an important fatty acid for heart and joints
- Eighteen different amino acids
- Low in carbohydrates (15-20 percent)
- Rich in essential fatty acids, including sulfolipids, which may be protective against HIV infection of T-helper cells
What Makes Spirulina a Nutritional Superstar?
It's common knowledge that we should all eat fish for the omega fatty acid content. Where do fish get their high omega content? Blue-green algae like spirulina. Omegas are essential in fighting heart disease, reducing arthritis, osteoporosis, diabetes, and depression as well as lowering bad cholesterol. The high content of vitamin B12 makes it excellent for the development of healthy nerve tissue and the metabolism of every cell in the body. This means spirulina helps with nerve damage and diseases such as fibromyalgia. Spirulina is also known for its high content of beta carotene, which is converted into vitamin A, an essential nutrient needed for healthy immunity, teeth, bones, mucous membranes, skin and eyes
Spirulina also contains all the other B vitamins, vitamin D, vitamin K, vitamin E, calcium, chromium, copper, iodine, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, selenium and zinc. It protects the brain and detoxifies the liver and kidneys. It balances pH to reduce inflammation, the root of much disease. It balances the immune system, including calming an overactive one, which is significant because overactive (or inflamed) immune systems are responsible for autoimmune diseases These usually have their root in poor nutrition and digestion, which spirulina also helps correct.
One of the special traits of spirulina is its rich protein content it's 50 to 70 percent protein by weight (which is even better than red meat, which is about 27 percent protein). It also contains all of the essential amino acids, and 10 of the 12 non-essential amino acids, along with a potent array of other beneficial nutrients and health benefits.
Spirulina has an essential fatty acid gamma linolenic acid (GLA) which has gotten a lot of attention for its anti-inflammatory properties, especially when taken with other quality Omega-3 supplements like Cod Liver Oil or MORINGA. It contains all essential amino acids. GLA is difficult to find in a food source and normally has to be created by the body. Spirulina is one of the few foods with a natural GLA content.
- Spirulina is extremely high in Chlorophyll, which helps remove toxins from the blood and boost the immune system
- Spirulina has a very high concentration of bio-available iron and is excellent during pregnancy and for those with anemia and will not cause constipation. The proteins and nutrients in Spirulina are very bioavailable and easy to absorb
- Is excellent for children, the elderly and during pregnancy as it is high in calcium
- Spirulina may be helpful for those with allergies and allergic reactions
- Spirulina’s phosphorus content makes it helpful as part of a tooth remineralization regimen
- Emerging evidence suggests that it binds with radioactive isotopes and may be useful for radioactivity exposure or radiation therapy
- Spirulina can bind with heavy metals in the body and help remove them
- Spirulina can increase fat burning during exercise
- Helps control hypertension, and increases blood vessel elasticity.
- Animal studies suggest spirulina can also protect your liver, as a result of its high antioxidant properties
Spiruilina is also good for:
Athletes
Spirulina is a superfood suited to a high intensity workout. Taken before exercise it delivers energy and improves stamina. Remarkably high protein and amino acids and is low in fat. It is helpful in reducing calorific intake, essential for boxers and weightlifters who must maintain competitive weights.Cuban elite athletes have taken Spirulina for many years as it helps them intensify training before competition. Spirulina also helps to create and repair muscle and retain iron in the body. It is beneficial to hillwalkers, mountain climbers and marathon runners as it improves endurance and reduces cramp.Wound healing
People use spirulina in face and body creams and body wraps. The Kanembu people in Chad use freshly harvested algae as a skin poultice for treating certain diseases. In France it has been found that pharmaceutical compounds containing spirulina accelerated wound healing. In Japan it has been shown that cosmetic products containing spirulina promoted skin metabolism and reduced scars.
Anaemia
Iron is the most common mineral deficiency worldwide. Iron anaemia is prevalent in women, children, older people and especially women on weight-loss diets. Iron is essential for healthy red blood cells and a strong immune system, but typical iron supplements are not well absorbed by the human body. Tests have shown that the availability of iron in spirulina is more than in other iron supplements. Athletes in intensive training can suffer from non-anaemic iron deficit, with symptoms such as exhaustion and muscle fatigue.
Immune Booster
Spirulina is a powerful tonic for the immune system. Research and experience indicate that spirulina is an immune regulating food. Small amounts can help balance and stabilise the immune system, freeing up more of our metabolic energy for vitality, healing and assimilation of nutrients. The blue-green natural protein pigment phycocyanin has been shown stimulate the production of blood. Phycocyanin prevents a host of degenerative organ diseases by increasing immunity. Complex sugars from spirulina have been shown to increase antibody production and infection fighting cells.
Cholesterol
Most people are aware of the need to reduce cholesterol levels in order to lower the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Spirulina contains no cholesterol. However, its main benefit is in reducing blood cholesterol levels particularly the bad LDL type. Work in Japan has shown that men with high blood cholesterol who took spirulina for eight weeks without changing their diet showed a marked reduction in serum cholesterol, triglyceride and LDL cholesterol.
Another study of 52 adults, took 1 gram of Spirulina supplements a day for 12 weeks, and gave blood samples at the beginning and end of the study. By the end of the experiment, average total cholesterol and the potentially harmful cholesterol decreased.
Anti-Ageing
Many people are aware of the value of food supplements for an ageing population. It is well known that the antioxidants Vitamins C, E and beta carotene attack free radicals that roam throughout the body wreaking havoc on cells and organs increasing the ageing effect and the risk of cancer. Anti-ageing foods such as spirulina are ideal for older people who do not eat much, eat inappropriately or cannot absorb enough nutrients. Spirulina is the ideal anti-ageing whole food and its high levels of natural beta carotene have been shown to be much more effective than the synthetic form found in many supplements.Improves Eye Health
Many health experts will tell you that if you’re looking to improve your eye health, carrots are an ideal food source that you can utilize due to the fact that it contains vitamin A. Spirulina in particular, can also help to improve your eye health as well, due to the fact that it contains ten times more vitamin A than carrots contains on a gram per gram level.
Digestion
Spirulina is 95% digestible because it has soft cell walls. It promotes digestion and bowel function.
People taking Spirulina often notice an immediate change in bowel regularity and elimination. It suppresses bad bacteria like e-coli and Candida yeast and stimulates beneficial gut flora like lactobacillus and bifidobacteria.
Healthy intestines provide humans with three major benefits: better digestion and absorption, protection from infection and stimulation of the immune system. For these reasons many people take lactobacillus supplements. Research in Japan showed spirulina increased lactobacillus by 300% compared to a control group. The study also showed that spirulina increased the absorption of vitamins in particular vitamin B1.
Detox/Weight Loss
Our bodies are constantly subjected to an onslaught of toxic chemicals from the air, water, food and drugs and need to continually eliminate these toxins. It has long been known that spirulina accelerates detoxification especially during fasting as spirulina has a unique combination of phytonutrients that can help cleanse our bodies. There is also evidence that spirulina significantly reduces kidney toxicity caused by some heavy metals. Spirulina was widely used to treat children suffering radiation sickness after the Chernobyl disaster.
Spirulina has a very high concentration of chlorophyll due to the fact that it is essentially an algae. Many people are aware of the fact that plants use Chlorophyll in order for them to turn light into food. However, not many people are aware of the many benefits that chlorophyll has to offer to the human body. Chlorophyll has been statistically proven to help to eradicate bad breath, relieve constipation and is also classified as being one of the most potent detoxifying agents. And due to the fact that it binds to radioactive isotopes, many cancer patients use it to reduce the negative sides effects that occur as a result of radioactive therapy.
Spirulina also helps satisfy your appetite as it triggers a substance that is found in the appetite control centre of the brain. Effective weight loss requires a healthy lifestyle. Spirulina as part of a healthy diet along with an exercise regime is an ideal way to achieve weight loss.
Vegetarians & Vegans
Spirulina in capsules made from vegetarian cellulose. Is an ideal food supplement for vegetarians and vegans. It provides a natural plant source of protein and is rich in other vitamins and minerals that vegetarians and vegans commonly lack in their diets, such as certain amino acids that other vegetable proteins do not provide.
Additional Benefits
Its superfood status means spirulina has many more benefits. Supporting health and cardiovascular function, it is good for the skin too: it improves age spots, wrinkles eczema, acne and rashes.
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How to Consume Spirulina
When choosing Spirulina, make sure to choose one that is organic, as others can be contaminated or have nitrate compounds as additives. Spirulina is named for the spiraling shape it makes as it grows. It grows best in warm, fresh water lakes, but is also found in saltwater and natural springs. It is what gives bodies of water their dark green colour. It is harvested and turned into a thick paste, dried, and packed into powder or flakes to be turned into tablets or capsules
It is highly digestible and does not have the tough cell wall that others algae have. Most find the taste unpleasant. You can get flakes to add to food or smoothies, but most prefer to take it as a supplement, in pill form. Spirulina has no side effects; it is very safe.
You can also mix into water and drink straight, though many people have trouble with this. it is best taken with an Omega-3 source like MORINGA. It’s anti-inflammatory properties have been helpful to some with joint pain or other types of inflammation.
Cautions About Spirulina
You should consult with a doctor before taking, especially if you are taking anything that contains an amino acid. Those on any type of anti-coagulation medicine should consult with a doctor before beginning (or stopping) taking Spirulina.
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DISCLAIMER* 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. If you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a medical condition, consult your physician before using this product.
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