Why is Spirulina the best health supplement? Complete spirulina supplement report: benefits, drawbacks, dietician advise on usage, nutritional content, purchasing advice, benefits, and recommendations.
Spirulina is a microalgae that is sold as a dietary supplement due to its high mineral and vitamin content. A synopsis of this “superfood’s” extraordinary characteristics.
There are 36 edible blue-green algae species among the approximately 1,500 species of blue-green algae.
An Inca Plant
Spirulina has been used since ancient times as a natural, nutritious, and effective food supplement by a huge number of individuals who were convinced by the outcomes of a treatment.
It was already being consumed as food by the Incas. Kanembou women in Chad have been gathering spirulina, drying it, and eating it with millet for a very long time. Spirulina is present in around 10 g of the individual diet.
Spirulina (called after its spiral shape) is a blue-green microalga that belongs to the filamentous cyanobacteria family. This cyanobacteria has been on Earth for more than three billion years and is likely the planet’s oldest microorganism!
It grows naturally in lakes around the equator, as well as in India, Chad, and Mexico, where indigenous inhabitants often consume it.
Spirulina supplements are available in the form of a dried blue-green powder, filaments, or tablets. In powder or filaments, you must contend with the alga’s distinct flavor, and it is unclear what 4, 6, or 8 grams signify in these forms. Natural spirulina in totally pure tablets (no compression agent) remains the most practical daily form.
Very good nutritional composition
Proteins of exceptional grade
Spirulina supplement includes between 55% and 70% good grade proteins, depending on its origin (thanks to their proportion of amino acids). These microalgae contain the eight amino acids that human bodies require.
Several studies have found that spirulina or its extracts can help prevent or treat cancer in people or animals. Spirulina does interact with the immune system, which it helps to activate. According to research, spirulina also possesses antiviral properties.
Fatty acids that are unsaturated
Spirulina supplement also includes an intriguing amount of omega-6 unsaturated fatty acids (gamma-linolenic acids).
Pigments
Chlorophyll is one of the most intriguing components of spirulina. It stimulates the synthesis of red blood cells and cleanses the blood.
Indeed, chlorophyll’s heme nucleus (similar to that seen in red blood cells) may chelate the magnesium it contains (our red blood cells contain iron, not magnesium). This implies it may also chelate other elements like poisons and hence “clean” the blood.
Phycocyanin, a unique component of spirulina, has detoxifying and immune-stimulating qualities that have been demonstrated (see below) and are continuously being studied for novel benefits.
Spirulina is an antioxidant.
Spirulina helps to slow down skin aging by preventing the generation of free radicals through its antioxidant components (gamma-linolenic acid, phycocyanine, tocopherol, carotene, selenium, and zinc).
It contains gamma-linolenic acid, which gives the skin suppleness, elasticity, and hence softness.
The algal flavor of spiruline is not to everyone’s taste. It is dominating when diluted in water, but when blended with apple juice, for example, the flavor fades.
Among its numerous benefits, it can aid in weight loss by having a moderating influence on hunger, owing to the satiating proteins it contains.
Spirulina is beneficial to your health.
The cleansing action of pure spirulina results in the rapid and effective removal of contaminants and lactic acid. It provides you more energy and a quicker recovery after training or competition.
Spirulina is a naturally occurring dopant.
Because of its iron, vitamin B12, and beta-carotene levels, spirulina is a true energy booster. It is thus of significant relevance to athletes, particularly in terms of muscle oxygenation, while essential fatty acids play a role in cell integrity, which is necessary for the immune system to operate properly.
Where can I buy spirulina?
It’s becoming increasingly common on the internet, and it’s frequently of unknown quality, if not mediocre (Chinese, industrial…)
Spirulina as an anti-radiation supplement
Dr. Tatsuichiro Akizuki treated Japanese patients at Nagasaki’s Saint-Francis hospital with a rigorous diet of brown rice, miso, wakame, kombu algae, and spirulina, which saved their lives (3). Between 146,000 and 1,600,000 youngsters in Belarus who were treated with 5 g of Spirulina per day for 45 days at the Institute of Radiation Medicine in Minsk had their radiation levels reduced!
Spirulina, a meat alternative
Spirulina, which is sometimes referred to as a “wonder food,” is seen by its supporters as a panacea for world hunger.
spirulina-algae-benefit-wellness. Because of its high protein level, it is good for vegetarian diets. This microalgae has been shown to be useful against childhood malnutrition, owing to its high protein content, which contains all of the required amino acids.
Spirulina, a kind of iron algae
Spirulina is a good source of iron (800mg to 1800mg per kilogram, or 20 times more than wheat germ! ), a mineral found mostly in animal foods like meat, offal, and fish.
This is why spirulina is appealing to vegetarians, athletes, anemics, pregnant women, teenagers in growth, and populations at danger of iron deficiency.
Reduce your meat consumption and replace it with spirulina.
As much as a handful of spirulina contains:
- Protein equivalent to 35 g of beef,
- calcium equivalent to three glasses of milk,
- iron equivalent to three bowls of spinach,
- beta-carotene equivalent to 18 carrots,
- vitamin B12 equivalent to 500 g of steak,
- vitamin E equivalent to three tablespoons of wheat germ
Spirulina is therefore a microalgae with a high nutritional content that does not require treatment or cooking and does not pollute the environment. This makes it one of the finest alternatives for the future of a healthy diet and environmental sustainability.
How should it be consumed?
The often asked issue is if it is possible to ingest too much spirulina.
NO, is the response. It does not help if you take too much of it, but it is risk-free. It has no adverse effects since it is a completely natural meal with no additives.
Long-term spirulina ingestion research indicate that two to five grams per day is beneficial. Some people, such as sportsmen and those with damaged nails, take 10 grams every day.
Madagascar market
It is used in schools in Madagascar to supplement the diets of students who do not consume enough meat. A farm near Antsirabé, not far from Madagascar’s capital, produces around 300 kilograms of spirulina every year.
A daily intake of one to three grams of spirulina for four to six weeks is adequate to heal a kid suffering from severe malnutrition, according to specialists. Experiments with spirulina eating have been beneficial and will be continued; youngsters given spirulina regained an average of 3 kg.
Its production is beneficial to the environment.
Spirulina requires 30 times less cultivation area than soy, 40 times less than corn, and 300 times less than beef due to its high productivity.
It uses far less freshwater per kg of protein than any other food: three times less than soy, six times less than corn, and fifty times less than beef.
Its manufacture is highly low-cost in terms of energy (including solar energy and energy input). The energy yield (energy generated in kg/energy consumed per kg) is five times that of soy, two times that of maize, and 150 times that of beef.
Consuming less meat and replacing it with spirulina allows for a drastic reduction in the consumption of freshwater associated with the cultivation of fodder plants and livestock hydration, the use of much less surface area for cultivation, and the contamination of the environment by pesticides, etc.
As a result, consuming spirulina has a favorable impact on deforestation and biodiversity preservation.
Less meat also means less cholesterol and fatty acids, which are far from insignificant in terms of health (cardiovascular problems, obesity, etc.).
When should you take spirulina?
Spirulina:
- Fighting acne,
- reducing disorders related to intestinal affections,
- stimulating the immune system,
- helping lower cholesterol levels,
- fighting leukoplakia, which is a precancerous inflammation of the mucous membranes of the mouth and can thus degenerate into cancer,
- regulating and lowering insulin levels in diabetics, reducing the effects caused by gamma rays, fighting anemia, and protecting against heavy metals
Who can eat this?
There are no recognized contraindications. Spirulina may be consumed profitably by athletes, vegans, and anybody else.
Regular use will yield benefits after one to three weeks of therapy, depending on your metabolism, morphology, and physical condition.
Is it beneficial to athletes?
Spirulina is a good nutritional supplement for athletes since it includes a lot of vegetable proteins, beta-carotene, and iron.
Spirulina promotes speedier recovery after a workout or competition and aids in feeling energized. As a result, spirulina aids in the prevention of cramps.
The market for spirulina
Spirulina has grown in popularity in specialist markets. Alain Ducasse uses it to make spirulina gnocchi for the astronauts of the European Space Agency.
Several humanitarian organizations regard spirulina as a solution to African starvation. Codegaz, the employee association of Gaz de France, has invested 88,000 euros in Madagascar spirulina producing fields.
As a precaution, pregnant or nursing women should avoid consuming spirulina.
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