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Spirulina - Top Class Green Food SupplementThe green food supplement spirulina is a blue-green algae packed with nutrients. It contains trace minerals in colloidal form, which means they are readily absorbed by the body. Colloidal minerals are important for our enzymes, which in turn spark many of our body's normal processes. Some of these natural colloidal minerals include iron, zinc, calcium, potassium, magnesium, and selenium. Spirulina is high in iron for its weight, and in India and Vietnam, doctors recommend spirulina for nursing and pregnant women.
Spirulina also contains many of the B vitamins, including vitamin B12, which many vegetarians lack. Vitamin B12 is important for nerves and the body's tissues.
Spirulina contains natural beta carotene, which is a precursor to vitamin A, and an antioxidant. Spirulina's beta carotene is ten times more concentrated than the beta carotene in carrots.
The green food supplement spirulina is high in vegetable protein. By mass, it comes in at 60%, and is easily absorbed by the body. Spirulina contains the essential fatty acid GLA, also found in evening primrose oil. 8 of the small spirulina tablets is equal to 1 capsule of evening primrose oil, so by taking spirulina daily, its like taking two supplements in one.
The benefit of spirulina also extends to the plant chemicals, called phytonutrients, that it contains. Plant chemicals often have great health protective qualities, that go beyond our simple vitamin and mineral needs. For example, spirulina contains chlorophyll which can help in tissue repair, the absorption of calcium and other minerals, and detoxification. Chlorophyll is very similar chemically to human blood cells, except that where we have iron, chlorophyll contains magnesium.
The green food supplement spirulina also contains sulfolipids, polysaccharides and phycocyanin, which all help the immune system. Research in the early to mid '90's found that spirulina's polysaccharides helped increase T cell counts in chicken, fish, and mice. T cells are important in the immune system. And spirulina has helped reduce allergic reactions in children exposed to radiation in the aftermath of Chernobyl.
Other phytonutrients in the green food supplement spirulina may protect against cancer and autoimmune diseases.
Spirulina is a very safe food supplements, and is recommended for children.
Benefits Of The Green Food Supplement Spirulina
Difference between Spirulina and Regular Algae
How Much Spirulina?
Because spirulina is a natural food, when it is dehydrated and made into tablets and capsules it is not as concentrated as say, a vitamin, would be. So, the dosage is generally about 6 small tablets at a time. These can be taken up to 3 times a day, (three doses of 6 tablets), although it is fine to take only 6. Some people buy spirulina in powdered form and just place a desert spoonful in a smoothie or juice. It is quite strong tasting though, and not as convenient as tablets.
Neurotoxins and Spirulina
The spirulina produced by Cyanotech and Earthrise has been independently tested and found to be free of any contamination by the neurotoxic amino acids found in 97% of the wild cyanobacteria strains and 73% of the strains produced by symbiosis.
Spirulina is a type of cyanobacteria, as is Aphanizomenon flos-aquae, which is sold as E3live. Aphanizomenon flos-aquae is a form of edible algae that is harvested in the wild, with strict processing controls. Although they were not tested with the Cyanotech and Earthrise products, the company website states that "All E3 products are tested thoroughly by independent USDA certified labs for food safety, shelf-life and various other purity tests" (http://www.e3live.com/afa_myths.htm).
The reports of this neurotoxin prompted the companies to seek independent testing of their products to ensure consumer safety and confidence. The report on the neurotoxin discussed a link between the neurotoxin and a disease similar to Alzheimer's that the Chamorro people of Guam suffered. The Chomorro eat the seeds of a plant that produces the neurotoxin. It also found that cyanobacteria all over the world (as per the statistics in the report), produced this toxin. The green food supplement spirulina was not in the study, but the companies feared consumers may be doubtful of it following the results.
For more information on the benefit of spirulina, click here.
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The green food supplement spirulina is generally cultivated specifically for companies producing supplements, so it avoids the problems of pollution and contamination with microcysts. Look for an organic spirulina, that is also grown without chemicals, for optimal health results.
(C) by Rebecca Prescott, 2003-2009. All Rights Reserved.