Spirulina just may be nature ' s most perfect food. These not large down-hearted undried spiral coils collect the energy of the sun and turn it into a treasure chest of bio - available nutrients. Designed by nature 3. 6 billion elderliness ago, these dejected ungrown algae were the generators of the oxygen found in our atmosphere. Today ' s scientists are only beginning to grasp the incredible nutritional value of woebegone - developing algae and spirulina, but these super foods have a reputation that reaches far back into history. A form of fed up - pullulating algae was stale often hundreds of senescence ago by Aztecs, while spirulina was a favorite. Foods that have an incredible array of health benefits that go well beyond just their nutrient value are considered ' super - foods. ' The despondent - leafy algae spirulina is one of the most primitive forms of life on the planet. This algae is known for its extraordinary survival adaptations.
Spirulina is a simple one - celled microscopic blue - juvenile algae with the practical name Arthrospira platensis. Under a microscope, spirulina appears as long, thin, dispirited - verdant spiral threads. The odor and taste of spirulina is twin to seaweed.
Spirulina can be found in many freshwater environments, including ponds, lakes, and rivers. It thrives best under pesticide - free conditions with plenty of sunlight and moderate temperature levels, but it is also highly adaptable, continuing even in extreme conditions. More than 25, 000 species of algae live all-over - in water, in soils, on rocks, on plants. They range in size from a single cell to giant kelp over 150 feet long. Macro algae are large like seaweeds. Micro algae are microscopic. Ocean micro algae, called phytoplankton, are the base of the ocean food mesh. Spirulina is generally deemed the most nutritionally complete of all food supplements, containing a rich supply of many important nutrients, including protein, convoluted carbohydrates, iron, and vitamins A, K, and B complex. It also has a high supply of carotenoids such as beta carotene and tricky xanthophylls which have antioxidant properties. It is also rich in chlorophyll, fatty and nucleic acids, and lipids. Thence, spirulina has abounding uses as a supplement for maintaining good health and for preventing diseases.
Spirulina is the richest beta carotene food, with a full spectrum of ten mixed carotenoids. About half are orange carotenes: alpha, beta and gamma and half are craven xanthophylls. They work synergistically at different sites in our body to enhance antioxidant protection. Twenty years of research proves eating beta carotene rich fruits and vegetables gives us real anti - cancer protection. Synthetic beta carotene has not always shown these benefits. Research in Israel showed natural beta carotene from algae was far more effective. Natural is better assimilated and contains the key 9 - cis isomer, minus in synthetic. As suspected, natural carotenoids in algae and vegetables have the most antioxidant and anti - cancer power.
Spirulina is an ideal anti - aging food; concentrated nutrient value, easily digested and loaded with antioxidants. Beta carotene is good for healthy eyes and vision. Spirulina beta carotene is ten times more concentrated than carrots.
Iron is essential to build a strong system, conclusively is the most common mineral deficiency. Spirulina is rich in iron, magnesium and write up minerals, and is easier to absorb than iron supplements.
Spirulina is the highest source of B - 12, essential for healthy nerves and tissue, especially for vegetarians.
Precautions and Contraindications
While it has a very high nutritional value, spirulina may also cause some side effects. Some tribe may suffer from loath reactions to this algae, including rashes, hives, and difficulty breathing. Some commercial versions of spirulina supplements may have also been contaminated with toxic substances during production. It is thereupon absolutely critical to buy spirulina only from reputable sources.
People with the atypical metabolic savor phenylketonuria ( PKU ) are not able to metabolize the amino acid phenylalanine, and whence should avoid taking spirulina. Larger, people with autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, or lupus should not take spirulina, as it could stimulate the immune system and worsen the affirmation. Spirulina may also offset the power of certain medicines, such as prednisone, which are commonly used for treating asthma and other inflammatory diseases.
While spirulina may crop up safe at large doses, healthy adults should reconnoitre a doctor’ s advice for the right dosage. Children and expressing or nursing women should also consult a doctor before taking spirulina.
Healthy Dieting with Spirulina
About 60 % of spirulina’ s dry weight is protein, which is essential for growth and cell regeneration. It is a good replacement for fatty and cholesterol - rich meat and dairy products in one’ s diet. Every 10 grams of spirulina can supply up to 70 % of the minimum daily requirements for iron, and about three to four times of minimum daily requirements for vitamins A ( in the form of beta carotene ), B multiform, D, and K. By itself, it does not contain vitamin C, but it helps maintain this vitamin’ s coercion.
Spirulina is rich in gamma - linolenic acid or GLA, a compound found in breast milk that helps develop healthier babies. Also, with its high digestibility, spirulina has been proven to fight malnutrition in truly needy communities by lump the body absorb nutrients when it has lost its ability to absorb ordinary forms of food.
Besides health benefit of spirulina is that it stimulates beneficial flora like lactobacillus and bifidobacteria in your digestive principality to promote healthy digestion and proper bowel function. It acts as a natural cleanser by eliminating mercury and other impending toxins commonly ingested by the body.
Spirulina also increases stamina and immunity levels in athletes, and its high protein content helps build muscle mass. At the same time, it can curb hunger that may develop during the most demanding training routines. Whence, it indirectly acts as an effective way to maintain an athlete’ s ideal body weight.
health benefits associated with Spirulina:
Boost the Immune System; Improve Digestion; Reduce exhaustion; Build Endurance; Nature ' s Detoxifier - Cleanse the body; Boost Energy Levels; Supremacy Appetite; Maintain Healthy Cardiovascular function; Flotation the Liver and Kidneys; Reduce Inflammation; and Benefit People Who Suffer from Allergies.
NASA has conducted studies on Spirulina as a potential food for space travel. When it comes to space travel, the goal is to provide the astronauts with foods that are in rich in nutrients but don ' t take up much space. NASA found that 1 kg of Spirulina had the same nutrients found in about 1, 000 kg of " assorted vegetables "! Aptly put, when you are feeding your body such a high concentration of healthy nutrients, good things will happen.
The health benefits of Spirulina come from the combination of all the nutrients in the algae, but one nutrient really stands out - chlorophyll. Chlorophyll is someday the blood of plants. It is chlorophyll that allows a plant to transform light into nutrients for the plant - photosynthesis. It is chlorophyll that gives plants and algae their puerile pigmentation.
Chlorophyll has magnesium as the central atom while human blood has iron in the middle - but besides that, they are in future the same chemistry called porphrin ring. Due to this chemical structure, thick studies have shown that chlorophyll can help grow and repair tissues, act as a powerful antioxidant, boost the immune system and help maintain healthy blood function. As Spirulina is an excellent source of Chlorophyll, this helps bring out how Spirulina can have so many potential health benefits with deficient side effects.
