Spirulina – (Arthrospira Platensis)
“The Most Nutrient Dense Food on the Planet?”
Spirulina has been used for centuries around the world
as a vital source of nutrition. Throughout history in Mexico, Africa, South
America and Asia, people have been using it as a nutritional food source. Since
the 1970s when the roots of today’s health revolution first gained traction,
the cultivation of Spirulina has increased steadily. In the process, more and
more research has been done to help explain what Spirulina brings to the table
as a vital food source.
What is Spirulina?
Spirulina is a type of Blue-Green marine algae that’s found in lake waters throughout Asia,
Africa, and in South and Central America. It is also cultivated in carefully controlled
organic algae farms. The
name Spirulina comes from the spiral shape of its cells.
Spirulina is one of the Most Nutrient Dense Foods on the Planet
Proteins: One of the main benefits of Spirulina is that it is an
excellent source of complete, plant-based, easily digestible Proteins, making up 50% - 70% of its dry
weight. The Protein utilization is very high as 80% to 90% is digested when
consumed. Therefore,
it is ideal for someone who is on a vegan or vegetarian diet. Bodybuilders can use it for muscle gains, too.
Healthy Lipids: The fatty acid components
of Spirulina are: Palmitic 25.8%, Palmitoleic 3.8%, Oleic 16.6 % and
Gamma-linolenic 40.1%. The importance of these Fatty Acids lie in their action
to serve as chemical mediators of inflammatory and immune reactions.
Phytochemicals: It also contains a variety of phytochemicals. These phytochemicals are the foundation of the
therapeutic value of Spirulina. The phytochemical Phycocyanin, has the ability to trigger the
production of Stem Cells, the basic cells that can literally convert into any
specific type of cells in the body to speed-up healing and the regeneration process. It is also packed with high concentrations of Chlorophyll, the
green pigment found in plants. Chlorophyll is known to be an efficient blood
purifier. Spirulina also has a soft cell wall that is easy to digest, making
all the nutrients readily absorbable and available to flood your body with
nutrition.
Fast fact: The ORAC Value (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) of Spirulina
is over 24,000, which is four times the ORAC value of blueberries.
Vitamins, Minerals & Trace Elements
Spirulina contains, Iodine, B Complex Vitamins, Vitamin A (Beta-carotene), Vitamin E, Carotenoids, B1, B2, B6, B12, Niacin,
Folic Acid, Pantothenate, Biotin and Vitamin C. It has exceptionally high Vitamin B12
(cobalamin) content and is a must-have for vegans. In addition, it contains the key minerals: Iron, Calcium,
Phosphorus and Potassium. It has 26 times the Calcium of milk, which makes it a good dietary
supplement for the elderly and those with bone problems or those who are
allergic to dairy products.
In his best-selling book, The Green Foods Bible, author David Sandoval states, “Spirulina also contains 10 times more Beta-carotene
than carrots and high concentrations of gamma-linoleic acid (GLA), an
anti-inflammatory Omega-6 fatty acid. GLA…promotes improved skin health. It is also important for prenatal nutrition,
and passes into breast milk to provide good nutrition for the nursing baby”.
Good advice for mothers-to-be.
Did you know ….Amazing
Fact:
Spirulina was declared by the United Nations World Food Conference as
the best food for the future and hailed as “a
sustainable approach to combat malnutrition” worldwide. “For WHO, Spirulina represents an interesting
food for multiple reasons, rich in Iron and Protein, and is able to be
administered to children without any risk. We at WHO consider it a very
suitable food” - United Nations World Health Organization (WHO), Geneva, Switzerland
June 8, 1993.
9 Amazing Health Benefits
of Spirulina?
Scientific studies suggest it may be especially good for the brain,
heart, immune system, eyes, digestion and more. Spirulina possess a variety of medical uses, including
antioxidant, antiviral, antineoplastic, weight loss aid and lipid-lowering, appetite control agent.
ü Spirulina Supports Immune System During Cold and Flu. It powerfully protects from oxidative stress
and strongly supports the immune system and a healthy inflammatory response. In one study, it was shown that Spirulina
extract inhibits plaque formation in a broad range of influenza strains and
therefore, the cold-water extract of Spirulina can serve as a safe and
effective therapeutic agent to manage influenza outbreaks. Spirulina exhibits
anti-inflammatory properties by inhibiting the release of histamine from mast
cells, and therefore, you can use it in allergic rhinitis (hay fever) as well.
[2, 4]
ü
Spirulina
Has Been Shown to Reduce Blood Cholesterol in the Body. During
an eight-week trial period of patients taking Spirulina, the LDL (bad
cholesterol) decreased by about 21 % as compared with the control group. It can
also lower the total cholesterol and the serum triglycerides, which as a result
can prevent stroke and heart disease. [5]
ü Spirulina Exhibits Anti-Inflammatory
Properties, Cellular Regeneration and Anti-Aging Effects. Antioxidants in Spirulina protect against
DNA damage and the premature aging of your cells. They also reduce
inflammation. It is a clinically proven antioxidant in women. In a 2014 study,
the authors observed, “The antioxidant capacity increase of 56 (1–98) µM for
spirulina was significantly different from the decrease observed in the placebo
group”. [8]
ü Spirulina in Cancer
Prevention. It has been argued that
the combined antioxidant and immune modulation characteristics of Spirulina may
have a possible mechanism of tumor destruction and hence play a role in cancer
prevention. In a study published in “Nutrition and Cancer”, the authors stated
that “45% of their study cohort showed complete regression of leukoplakia after
taking Spirulina supplements for 1 year. The authors also reported that there
was no rise in the serum concentration of retinal ß-carotene despite
supplementation and concluded that other constituents within Spirulina may have
been responsible for the anticancer effects”. [4]
ü Spirulina “Speeds Up”
Fat Loss. Owing to the national epidemic of obesity, and the popularity of diets
rich in sugar and saturated fat, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)
is increasingly common. Spirulina appears to have considerable potential for
controlling the oxidative stress associated with fatty liver disease because it
is exceptionally rich in phycocyanobilin, a potent antioxidant. [9]
ü Cognitive and Mental Function (Improves
Memory, Academic Performance, Protects the Brain from Degenerative Diseases
Like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s). Spirulina reduces the risk of developing Parkinson's Disease due to
its containing effects on dopamine related toxins. In Alzheimer’s, it nullifies
the inflammatory and neurotoxic effects of two key toxins; beta-amyloid and
alpha-synuclein. It has shown promise in memory enhancement in animal models.
The reduction of neurodegeneration may also apply to healthy cognitive aging
and therefore, elderly people can benefit from Spirulina supplementation. [6]
ü Detoxify Heavy Metals. Heavy metals are affecting people all around
the world, with the USA being a place where there is a high concentration due
to inorganic arsenic and other toxins. Spirulina has been used successfully to
help cleanse the body of heavy metals and other toxins. [1]
ü Liver Disorder.
According to University of Maryland Medical Center documentations, an initial
evidential support obtained from a research showed that Spirulina has
protective effect against liver damage and cirrhosis in chronic hepatitis
patients. [7]
ü Eye Health Improvement. Zeaxantuin, one of the
phytochemicals present in Spirulina is considered as a vital nutrient for eye
health improvement. The presence of Zeaxantuin in Spirulina is able to reduce
the risk of cataract formation and also control age-related macular
degenerative conditions. [3]
These benefits, among many others make Spirulina one of
the most powerful and most nutritious Superfoods.
