Spirulina is one of the great super foods. Spirulina health benefits include dietary protein, B-vitamins, iron, cleansing, protection from radiation, and more.
It’s seems like there’s a plethora of natural foods and herbs that are touted as superfoods, but none may be quite as deserving as spirulina. In fact, spirulina is often deemed the most nutritionally complete of all food supplements. If you take a closer look at what it contains, you’ll find out why…
Spirulina as a Natural Protein Source
In its natural state, it is approximately 65 to 71 percent complete protein and contains 18 out of 22 amino acids, including all of the essential amino acids, making it a great vegetarian source of complete protein. This is higher than virtually any other unprocessed food. (Note: whey protein, for example, has to be extracted and concentrated from dairy to reach higher levels.) And unlike most other forms of protein, the protein in spirulina is 85- 95% digestible; again, one of the highest levels available. And finally, since spirulina has no cellulose in its cell walls, it is extremely easy for the body to break down. In fact, its amino acids are delivered to the body for almost instant absorption.
Spirulina as a Superfood
In addition, spirulina is an excellent source of B vitamins, vitamin E, highly bioavailable iron, and 14 naturally chelated minerals and numerous trace elements. When you consider the nutritional powerhouse spirulina really is, you won’t be surprised to find it listed as an ingredient in Jon Barron’s Private Reserve Superfood.
So, what is this nutritionally dense superfood? Although often referred to as blue-green algae, spirulina is actually a cyanobacteria. While it does behave like a plant or algae (it contains chlorophyll and uses the sun as an energy source, cyanobacteria does not have a membrane-bound nucleus. It can be found in many freshwater environments, including ponds, lakes, and rivers. However, most of the spirulina consumed in the United States is grown in controlled ponds and tanks using filtered water due to the risk of contaminants in the wild. In fact, this “algae” is so popular that commercial production of spirulina is estimated to reach 220,000 tons by the year 2020.
Health Benefits of Spirulina
Spirulina benefits include a number of things: it is a source of dietary protein, B-vitamins, iron, cleansing, not to mention protection from radiation. Spirulina has also been used for weight loss, attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), hay fever, diabetes, stress, fatigue, anxiety, depression, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), and other women’s health issues.
Is there anything it can’t help with?
Spirulina for Detox & Boosting Immune System
Since it is extremely high in chlorophyll, it can help remove toxins from the blood and boost the immune system. It is also high in calcium, with over 26 times the calcium in milk.
Spirulina for Reduced Cancer Risk
Early research findings have shown that taking one gram of spirulina (Spirulina fusiformis) daily by mouth for 12 months reduces oral leukoplakia in people who chew tobacco.
Spirulina for Nasal Allergies
Based on a 2008 study, it also holds some promise in the treatment of nasal allergies. Patients in the study found improvement with nasal discharge, sneezing, congestion, and itching with spirulina consumption.
Spirulina for Reduced Risk of Diabetes
Spirulina’s health benefits were also the focus in a 2008 study on type 2 diabetes. Those who completed the 12 weeks of spirulina supplementation experienced a significant reduction in blood-fat levels. Some of the other benefits included a decrease in inflammation and a decrease in blood pressure and cholesterol.
Spirulina for Weight Loss
In addition, you may want to consider it as part of your exercise regimen as well. A study published in Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise found that spirulina supplementation may help you burn more fat during exercise.
Spirulina for Reduced Effects of Radiation
If that’s not enough, doctors even used spirulina to aid the child victims of Chernobyl radiation. Its use reduced urine radioactivity levels by 50% in only 20 days. In fact, a 1999 study found that spirulina “is an effective natural adsorbent of long-life radionuclides cesium-137, strontium-90, and potassium-40 and can lead to a reduction of radioactive contamination in children ages 10 to 16 years of age.”
How to Take Spirulina
Perhaps the only downside to this superfood is its taste. The taste of the powder form is unpleasant to some, and is often incorporated in ways to disguise the taste. For instance, it is often added to smoothies or juice blends. However, you can also find it in tablet or capsule form. It is often recommended as a daily supplement, with increased dosages during illnesses. If you have Phenylketonuria or are on any type of anticoagulation medicine, you should consult a doctor before taking spirulina. Also, since spirulina can strengthen your immune system, it may decrease the effectiveness of medications that deliberately decrease the immune system.
Find more information on how much spirulina Jon Barron uses in his superfood shake formula.
Resources:
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/natural/923.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spirulina_(dietary_supplement)
http://wellnessmama.com/4738/spirulina-herb-profile/
http://www.mindandmuscle.net/articles/spirulina/
http://www.herbwisdom.com/herb-spirulina.html
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2011/07/17/spirulina-one-of-natures-nearperfect-foods.aspx
http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/supplement/spirulina
http://iimsam.org/en/iimsam-spirulina-resource-centre-3/
Cingi C, Conk-Dalay M, Cakli H, Bal C. “The effects of spirulina on allergic rhinitis.” Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2008 265(10):1219-23.
Lee EH, Park JE, Choi YJ, Huh KB, Kim WY. “A randomized study to establish the effects of spirulina in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients.” Nutr Res Pract. 2008 2(4):295-300.
Belookaya, T. Corres. from Chairman of Byelorussian Committee “Children of Chernobyl” May 31, 1991.
hi, i have been using
hi, i have been using spiralina now for a couple of weeks, and i can really feel the difference. The first couple of days i didn’t feel that good because of the detox fase but now i feel a lot better
Spirulina
Should I take Spirulina in powder form or capsule form?
While choosing Spirulina supplement, what should I keep in mind? Is there anything I should avoid when buying a Spirulina supplement?
There is no difference in
There is no difference in efficacy. Bulk powder, however, is more economical. As for what brand to purchase, cleanliness in terms of heavy metals is probably the main thing you want to look for now. Ask to see the heavy metal numbers for any brand you’re thinking of buying.
What about toxins in
What about toxins in spirulina, such as microcystins and BMAA?
Spirulina is a cyanobacterium
Spirulina is a cyanobacterium that can be consumed by humans and other animals; there are two species, Arthrospira platensis and Arthrospira maxima. Microcystins are a class of toxins produced by bacteria associated with certain freshwater strains of cyanobacteria: primarily Microcystis aeruginosa but also other Microcystis, as well as members of the Planktothrix, Anabaena, Oscillatoria and Nostoc genii.
Notice: Arthrospira platensis and Arthrospira maxima are not included in that list—i.e., spirulina is not on the list. In addition, all reputable companies test their spirulina for micocystis. Baseline Nutritionals, for example, does.
BMAA, on the other hand, is not an external toxin. It is a non-protein amino acid. This means, that unlike the 20 amino acids that our bodies use to make proteins, it does not make a human protein. Yes, BMAA is found in some Cyanobacteria which are usually found in waterways as well as damp soil and on the roots of cycad plants. And it is also found in algae blooms and in the fish living near those blooms. But does that include spirulina? Spirulina is not included in the list of 30 types of cyanobacteria tested in the study that brought BMAA to your attention. (See table 2).
And finally, keep in mind that spirulina has been consumed in large quantities within the health community for decades now. The diseases associated with microcystins tend to be associated with the population at large, not with the natural health community. Probably worth considering.
Just buy your green foods from reputable companies.
spirulina suppliment
do u have any spirulina suppliment and state cost
Jon Barron uses it in his
Jon Barron uses it in his formulas because we found it to be more powerful when used together. See last sentence of article.
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