What is Spirulina?

Spirulina is a microscopic blue-green algae in the shape of a perfect spiral coil that flourishes in warm climates and alkaline water. Formed 3.5 billion years ago, Spirulina is one of the first living forms on the planet, which produced the oxygen in our atmosphere, so that other life forms could thrive.
The term spirulina refers to a large number of cyanobacteria or blue-green algae. Both  Spirulina spp . and non- Spirulina  spp. fall into the classification of cyanobacteria and embody:  Aphanizomenon  spp.,  Microcystis  spp.,  Nostoc  spp., and  Spirulina  spp. Most commercial product contain  Aphanizomenon flos-aquae ,  Sprirulina maxima , and/or  Arthrospira platensis . These algae are found within the warm, alkaline waters of the globe, particularly of Mexico, Central Africa, China and other parts of tropical Asia.  Spirulina  spp .  are most often grown below controlled conditions and are subject to less contamination than the non-spirulina species that are harvested naturally.
Spirulina is a rich source of nutrients, containing up to 70% protein, B-complicated vitamins, phycocyanin, chlorophyll, beta-carotene, vitamin E, and varied minerals. Spirulina contains more beta-carotene than carrots. Spirulina has been used since ancient times as a source of nutrients and has been said to possess a variety of medical uses, acts as antioxidant, antiviral, antineoplastic, weight loss aid, and lipid-lowering agent. Preliminary data from animal studies demonstrate effectiveness.

SUMMARY OF IMPORTANT NUTRIENTS IN SPIRULINA

Protein 71% - 2x more than soy; 3.5x more than beef; 6x more than egg

Beta-carotene - 25x higher than carrot
Calcium -10x more than milk
Iron - 68x more than raw spinach; 28x more than raw beef liver
Vitamin B12 - 250% higher than beef liver
Chlorophyll - 30x more than alfalfa and barley grass
Vitamin E - 3x more than wheat germ; 49% more biologically active than synthetic
GLA - Highest plant source of Gamma Linolenic Acid (GLA), 2nd only to the mother’s milk
Glycogen -  The ONLY known plant food to contain glycogen, the important starch stored in the liver for     quick energy


Recent a Acknowledgement on Spirulina

• Recommended by the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) as the "best food of the 21st century".
• Recommended by UNESCO as the "most complete ideal food for tomnorrow."
• WHO said it is the "21st century best health food for human beings".
• U-N World Food Supplies Congress recognized it as "super nutrient food".
• Transcribed by U-N World Food Supplies Association as the "most ideal nutrient food of the 21st century".
• Japan Health Food Association specified it as "high grade health food".
• FDA validated it as "one of the best protein source'.
• China National Ministry Health confirmed it's a "new resource nutrient food".
• Recommended by the China National Educational Committee as the primary-junior pupil best lunch food.
• More than 4,000 scientists in more than 60 countries have exhaustively and extensively studied and tested SPIRULINA and found that “SPIRULINA is the most powerful and well-balanced source of nutrition on the planet!”
• Tests done by NASA found Spirulina to be an excellent, compact space food for astronauts—one (1) kg of Spirulina is equivalent to 1,000 kg of assorted vegetables.
• The UN General Assembly endorsed Spirulina  “to Combat Hunger and Malnutrition.”
• Russia has patented Spirulina as “Medicine Food” (Patent No. 19 RU 11200-5486)
• Japan Health Association specified Spirulina as “High Grade Health Food.”
• Japanese doctors have found that Spirulina is not only an astonishing miraculous health food but that it has also astounding therapeutic efficacy (Book—The Secret of Spirulina: Medical Discoveries of Japanese Doctors, 1980).
• Part of the daily diet of the U.S. and Mexican Olympic Team.

Overview:
Spirulina is a type of blue-green algae that's rich in protein, vitamins, minerals, and carotenoids (a kind of antioxidant which will facilitate protect cells from damages). It contains nutrients, as well as B complex vitamins, beta-carotene, vitamin E, manganese, zinc, copper, iron, selenium, and gamma linolenic acid (a vital fatty acid).

1gm = 1,000 gm Total Vegetables & Fruits Nutrients

Spirulina -- like several blue-green algae -- can be contaminated with toxic substances called microcystins, and can additionally absorb heavy metals if any are present within the water where it is grown. For these reasons, it's important to shop for spirulina from trusted sources where growing environment condition is pollution free and certified by key agencies.


Test tube and animal studies show spirulina boost the immune system, facilitate shield against hypersensitivity, and have antiviral and anticancer properties.


Immune Support
A range of animal and in vitro studies exhibited that spirulina will increase production of antibodies, cytokines (infection fighting proteins), and different cells that improve immunity and help keep off infection and chronic sicknesses like cancer.


Protein Supplement
Amino acids makes up 62% of spirulina. Because it's a rich source of protein and alternative nutrients, spirulina has been used historically as a nutritional supplement.


Allergic Reactions
Animal and test tube studies show that spirulina could shield against allergies by stopping the discharge of histamines (substances that contribute to allergy symptoms, like a runny nose, watery eyes, hives, and soft-tissue swelling).


Antibiotic-related Diseases
Although antibiotics destroy unwanted organisms within the body, they will also kill "good" bacteria known as probiotics (such as Lactobacillus acidophilus ), generally causing diarrhea. In a numaber of experiments, spirulina has enhanced the growth of L. acidophilus and other probiotics.


Infection
Test tube studies showed that spirulina has activity against herpes, influenza, and HIV.


Oral Cancer
In one placebo-controlled study, taking spirulina seemed to cut back a precancerous lesion referred to as leukoplasia in people who chewed tobacco. Lesions were significantly more likely to disappear in the spirulina test group than in the placebo group.


Liver Disorders
Some preliminary evidence suggests that spirulina might help defend against liver damage and cirrhosis (liver failure) in those with chronic hepatitis.


Dietary Sources:
Spirulina could be a microscopic algae that thrives in warm climates and warm alkaline water. It is available in dried and freeze-dried.


Available Forms:
Spirulina is available in tablet, powder form, or as flakes. Most of the spirulina consumed within the United States is grown in a controlled condition. There are many completely different spirulina species, solely some of which are identified on labels of commercially available products. Spirulina maxima (cultivated in Mexico),  Spirulina platensis (cultivated in China and California) are the most popular.


References:

Baicus C, Baicus A. Spirulina did not ameliorate idiopathic chronic fatigue in four N-of-1 randomized controlled trials. Phytother Res 2007 Jun;21(6):570-3.
Hernandez-Corona A, Nieves I, Meckes M, et al. Antiviral activity of Spirulina maxima against herpes simplex virus type 2. Antiviral Res 2002;56(3):279-285.
Iwasa M, Yamamoto M, Tanaka Y, et al. Spirulina-associated hepatotoxicity. Am J Gastroenterol 2002;97(12):3212-3213.
Jensen GS, Ginsberg DI, Drapeau C. Blue-green algae as an immuno-enhancer and biomodulator. J Amer Nutraceut Assoc 2001;3(4):24-30.
Mani UV, Desai S, Iyer U. Studies on the long-term effect of spirulina supplementation on serum lipid profile and glycated proteins in NIDDM patients. J Nutraceut 2000;2(3):25-32.
Mathew B, Sankaranarayanan R, Nair PP, et al. Evaluation of chemoprevention of oral cancer with Spirulina fusiformis. Nutr Cancer 1995;24(2):197-202.
Misbahuddin M, Islam AZ, Khandker S, et al. Efficacy of spirulina extract plus zinc in patients of chronic arsenic poisoning: a randomized placebo-controlled study. Clin Toxicol (Phila) 2006;44(2):135-41.
Romay C, Armesto J, Remirez D, et al. Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of C-phycocyanin from blue- green algae. Inflamm Res 1998;47(1):36-41.
Samuels R, Mani UV, Iyer UM, et al. Hypocholesterolemic effect of spirulina in patients with hyperlipidemic nephrotic syndrome. J Med Food 2002;5(2):91-96.
Shih SR, Tsai KN, Li YS, et al. Inhibition of enterovirus 71-induced apoptosis by allophycocyanin isolated from a blue-green alga Spirulina platensis. J Med Virol 2003;70(1):119-125.
Watanabe F, Takenaka S, Kittaka-Katsura H, et al. Characterization and bioavailability of vitamin B12-compounds from edible algae. J Nutr Sci Vitaminol (Tokyo) 2002;48(5):325-331.
Yang HN, Lee EH, Kim HM. Spirulina platensis inhibits anaphylactic reaction. Life Sci 1997;61(13):1237-1244.



learn about Spirulina. In this short clip from Discovery Networks Get Fresh with Sara Snow, Sara leads you through the nutritional and health benefits of taking Spirulina on a regular basis.