The Health Benefits of Spirulina

Spirulina is a well-known supplement for us. But do most people actually know what it is, what it is good for and what nutrients are in Spirulina.

What Spirulina Is

Spirulina is algae, actually blue-green algae. It grows in naturally alkaline lakes. It takes strong sunshine, warm to hot temperatures and a non-polluted water source. Spirulina is a distant relative to kelp, but is not considered a sea plant since it thrives mainly in lakes of a higher than usual alkaline level. It absorbs nutrients from the waters it grows in, if the water polluted including pollutants from heavy metals, the Spirulina will be polluted and not usable for us to consume. So it is important that the brand of Spirulina you take is certified and trusted.

Nutrients of Spirulina

Spirulina has been called the most complete food on the planet, containing over 100 nutrients. It has all of the essential amino acids in balance, which means it is a complete protein. It has more protein than beef does. Spirulina has a protein content of 65%, while beef is only 22% protein. Even better is that it is 90% digestible, which means that it is an easy complex protein to digest. Being a plant food and high in protein and vitamin B-12, Spirulina is great for vegetarians who might not get enough protein with a strict vegetarian diet.

In addition to protein, Spirulina has an abundance of beta-carotene, iron, copper, manganese, selenium, zing, trace minerals, gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), vitamin E, vitamin D, vitamin K and vitamin B-12 and other B vitamins. Since it is a plant, Spirulina has a large amount of phytochemicals including phycocyanin, cartonoides, sulfolipids and polysaccharides. It has 10 times more carotene than carrots do.

The Health Benefits of Spirulina

The digestibility of Spirulina is very important to people who have a medical problem with their digestive system that keeps them from properly digesting and being able to use protein. Some older people also have problems being able to properly digest protein. Spirulina is easily digestible and usable by our bodies.

The abundance of phytochemicals in Spirulina makes it a very healthy food since phytochemicals have so many healthy benefits including antioxidants, anti-viral, anti-cancer, antiseptic properties and immune system boosting properties. Spirulina also contains chlorophyll, which has its own set of healthy properties.

A list of health benefits associated with Spirulina includes cleansing the body, speeds muscle recovery, speeds skin recovery, builds healthy red blood cells, increases the health of the digestive system, reduces the symptoms of hay fever and allergies, detoxifies the body and the liver, cleanses the kidneys, helps with insulin production, can provide energy and endurance and as an anti-inflammatory.

Since it is high in gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), it can help reduce inflammation associated with rheumatoid arthritis. GLA is a unique form of omega-6 fatty acid because it reduces inflammation instead of promoting it. Promising studies have shown that GLA reduces the joint pain and stiffness from arthritis.

A double-blind placebo controlled study of the elderly in South Korea found that Spirulina had a cholesterol-lowering effect resulting in a significant reduction in total cholesterol. The study also found Spirulina boosted the immune system and had a favorable effect on antioxidant capacity of those in the study [1].

A small study in Taiwan with 16 students supplementing with Spirulina showed it a preventative of the skeletal muscle damage, which led to a longer time the students were able to exercise. The time to exhaustion during the all-out exercise was delayed in the students taking Spirulina [2].

There have not been many studies using humans, most studies have used mice and in vitro (in vitro is Latin for within glass. Tests done in test tubes). The National Cancer Institute has found that the sulfolipids in Spirulina were active against the AIDS virus in vitro. Small amounts of Spirulina reduced the viral replication while larger amounts actually stopped the replication of the virus. Other tests found that a hot water extract of Spirulina was found to inhibit the replication of the HIV-1, mumps, herpes simplex-1, measles, human cytomegalovirus and influenza type A [3]. Other in vitro studies show Spirulina could inhibit cancers and repair DNA damaged by cancer [4]. Studies in India have shown that 1-gram of Spirulina per day caused a total regression of mouth cancer lesions in 44% of males [5].

Spirulina does a great job of cleansing the kidneys of toxins of the mercury and toxins from some prescription drugs. Research found that it eliminated seven times the amount of dioxin from the body when compared to a controlled diet. After the Chernobyl accident in the Ukraine, a Russian patent was issued in 1994 for Spirulina as a medical food for reducing the allergic reactions to radiation sickness.

How To Buy and Take Spirulina

Some people keep Spirulina in their emergency kits for hiking, hunting, in the car and in the house because of the nutrients and protein. You can buy the powder and mix it with water or put it in a blender and use it in smoothies. There are also pill forms of Spirulina. Look for certified organic on the label. Spirulina Pacific is a highly recommended brand. Other brands mentioned are Earthrise, NOW and Klamath BlueGreen.

How Much Spirulina Should You Take

You should check the dosage instructions on your Spirulina container. Most diet and nutrition advisors suggest taking 1 – 3 grams per day to start with and for a maintenance program; take 3 grams per day. To reach optimal levels, you can take 3 grams three times per day for a total of 9 grams. Drink plenty of water. A 500 mg tablet equals ½ of a gram.

Bottom Line

There doesn’t seem to be much doubt that Spirulina is a powerful immune system booster and antiviral food. These healthy properties are found in the phytochemicals of all plant foods in various strengths and forms. If you don’t eat the recommended amounts of fruits and vegetables per day, having Spirulina will make up for those missing minerals, nutrients and phytochemicals.

Spirulina Health Warnings

People with hyperparathyroidism, severe allergies to seaweed or seafood and people with a high fever should not take Spirulina. If you get asthma like symptoms, difficulty swallowing or hives after taking Spirulina, you could be allergic to it and you should get medical attention if this happens to you. If you take any of the anti-coagulant or blood-thinner drugs like Coumadin or if you take any prescription medicine, you should consult your doctor before taking Spirulina.

© 2009 Sam Montana

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Sources:

[1] A randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled study to establish the effects of spirulina in elderly Koreans

[2] Preventive effects of Spirulina platensis on skeletal muscle damage under exercise-induced oxidative stress

[3] Calcium Spirulan, an inhibitor of enveloped virus replication, from a blue-green alga Spirulina by Hayashi et al. 1996. Pub. in Journal of Natural Products, 59, 83-87. Japan

[4] Oral cancer Study - Health Education Alliance for Life and Longevity

[5] Mathew B, Sankaranarayanan R, Nair PP, et al. Evaluation of chemoprevention of oral cancer with Spirulina fusiformis. Nutr Cancer. 1995;24:197-202.