This is a one of a kind food that you should immediately start adding to your diet as often as possible. Spirulina is mainly found growing in the alkaline lakes of Central and South America. It's now recognized as one of the most nutritious foods in the world, as it contains all the essential amino acids so important to maintain and enhance health, including five of them that the human body cannot generate on its own, as per a study conducted at Kansas University back in 2005.
It's quite fascinating to note that spirulina's overall content actually consists of approximately 60% proteins by dry weight, therefore surpassing all other plant products and even red meat's average of 27%. These proteins are highly digestible; therefore, a high amount of them are absorbed and utilized by the body in the end.
Spirulina strongly promotes the body's natural cleansing and detoxification. It greatly helps strengthen the immune system by encouraging and facilitating the production of red and white blood cells or other cells in charge of killing unwanted germs and viruses. Its high antioxidant content also explains the praise that it gets for being such a formidable immune system booster.
The University of Florida demonstrated in separate studies with rats that spirulina has the ability to protect the brain. The researchers noted that aged rats maintained their neuron functions to a much higher level after being fed spirulina compared to those that weren't. They also noticed that brain lesions following induced strokes were up to 75% smaller in rats that had been given spirulina. In general, the spirulina-fed rats also seemed to have far less free-radical damage than the other ones.
The Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School demonstrated spirulina's potential in fighting various viruses and possibly even HIV. The researchers were able to show that spirulina has the ability to somewhat prevent HIV replication. Although the results concerning HIV are extremely encouraging, they should definitely be followed by more substantial and serious research.
It's quite fascinating to note that spirulina's overall content actually consists of approximately 60% proteins by dry weight, therefore surpassing all other plant products and even red meat's average of 27%. These proteins are highly digestible; therefore, a high amount of them are absorbed and utilized by the body in the end.
Spirulina strongly promotes the body's natural cleansing and detoxification. It greatly helps strengthen the immune system by encouraging and facilitating the production of red and white blood cells or other cells in charge of killing unwanted germs and viruses. Its high antioxidant content also explains the praise that it gets for being such a formidable immune system booster.
The University of Florida demonstrated in separate studies with rats that spirulina has the ability to protect the brain. The researchers noted that aged rats maintained their neuron functions to a much higher level after being fed spirulina compared to those that weren't. They also noticed that brain lesions following induced strokes were up to 75% smaller in rats that had been given spirulina. In general, the spirulina-fed rats also seemed to have far less free-radical damage than the other ones.
Spirulina may counteract anemia and immunological dysfunction
The University of California came up with encouraging results after undertaking a study involving 40 volunteers above 50 years of age. The participants with no history of major chronic diseases were given spirulina supplements for a period of 12 weeks. The complete cell count was used as a determining factor to evaluate its efficiency on the immune function. Throughout the trial there was a regular increase of mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentrations as well an increased IDO activity. These positive results certainly pave the way for even more research to prove spirulina's possible efficiency in treating anemia or immunological dysfunction.Health Properties:
Though it does taste like pond scum, Spirulina has some great health-boosting qualities:
- Spirulina is 65% protein and amino acids including the 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 Fermented Cod Liver Oil. It contains all essential amino acids.
- Spirulina contains Omega 3-,6 and 9s and is especially high in Omega-3s.
- 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.
- Spirulina is a great source of other nutrients including (according to Wikipedia): “Spirulina contains 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. Spirulina contains many pigments which may be beneficial and bioavailable”.
- This Spirulina (from Mountain Rose Herbs) was tested be an independent laboratory and found to have an ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) of over 24,000 which is 4x the ORAC score of blueberries. The ORAC score is generally used to measure antioxidant ability and concentration in different foods.
- Spirulina is also incredibly high in calcium with over 26 times the calcium in milk, making it excellent for children, the elderly and during pregnancy.
- Some research has suggested that Spirulina may be helpful in 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.
- The protein in Spirulina is highly usable and has a net protein utilization rate of between 50-61%
- Spirulina can bind with heavy metals in the body and help remove them.
- Spirulina can increase fat burning during exercise.
The Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School demonstrated spirulina's potential in fighting various viruses and possibly even HIV. The researchers were able to show that spirulina has the ability to somewhat prevent HIV replication. Although the results concerning HIV are extremely encouraging, they should definitely be followed by more substantial and serious research.