Spirulina

[Louise]

The health benefits of spirulina

Spirulina was a food source for the Aztecs and Mesoamericans up until the 16th century. It was first established as a 'wonderful food source' in 1967 by the International Association of Applied Microbiology' in the early 1970's by Sosa Texcoco.

Spirulina is an algae which has grown naturally on the earth for around 3.5 billion years, it is green-blueish in colour with a distinctive earthy taste.

More recently spirulina has been farm cultivated due to it being classed as one of the best superfoods, a title it has earned as a result of its packed nutrient and protein content.

Spirulina is rich in chlorophyll, but is primarily protein and essential amino acids. It has been said that spirulina is one of the most nutrient dense foods on the planet.

Whilst spirulina basks in the glory of its individual nutrients, it is also linked with lowering blood sugar levels, it is high in antioxidants, it helps to detoxify the body by removing heavy metals and helps to boost the immune system.

There have been safety concerns regarding contaminated spirulina, this is linked to supplements marketed in China. In addition it is not recommended for some people with autoimmune diseases. Therefore it is advisable to seek medical advice prior to taking a supplement that may interact with existing medications or health issues and always buy organic certified spirulina.


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What is in spirulina?

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A closer look at some of the health benefits of the individual nutrients.

Vitamin A
- Maintains normal skin function
- Maintains a healthy vision
- Promotes a healthy functioning immune system
- Maintains neurological function
- Reduces inflammation, through fighting free radical damage


Vitamin K
- Promotes normal healthy clotting
- Prevents heart disease and arterial calcification
- Improves vascular health, leading to fewer varicose veins
- Maintains healthy bones
- Acts as an adjunct to vitamin D
- Helps to reduce the risk of developing prostrate cancer, lung cancer, liver cancer and leukaemia


Magnesium - Mineral
- Helps protein synthesis
- Supports the nervous system
- Improves cellular metabolism
- Regulates heart rhythm
- Reduces the risk of osteoporosis
- Reduces eclamptic seizures
- Helps with muscle relaxation
- Assists with bone and teeth formation
- Regulates the body's use of calcium and other minerals
- Helps maintain structural health of cell membranes
- Reduces the risk of type two diabetes
- Reduces the symptoms of asthma

Chromium - Mineral
- Helps to control blood sugar
- Plays a role in fat metabolism
- Reduces carbohydrate cravings
- Can help with weight loss
- Aids in cholesterol reduction
- Helps improve eye health


Chlorophyll - Pigment
- Helps to curb appetite
- Controls body odour
- Can aid the body to detox heavy metals
- Promotes wound healing
- Antioxidant
- Protects DNA from damage
- Anti-inflammatory
- Promotes healthy iron levels
- Helps to boost immune function.


Zinc - Mineral
- Supports a healthy immune system
- Promotes healthy, clear skin
- Helps to maintain vision and works well with vitamin A
- Promotes a healthy male reproduction system
- Can aid in the prevention of eczema
- Supports a healthy sense of smell and taste
- Supports weight loss by suppressing appetite
- Essential for repair and function of DNA


Selenium - Mineral
- Antioxidant
- Helps promote a healthy thyroid function
- Helps to slow down the signs of ageing
- Helps to excrete mercury from the body
- Supports a healthy cardiovascular function
- Improves sperm motility


Potassium - Mineral
- Supports a healthy nervous system
- Helps maintain healthy blood pressure
- Maintains a healthy kidney function
- Regulates fluid balance
- Lowers the risk of cardiovascular disease
- Helps to improve bone and muscle health
- Helps to reduce anxiety



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[Teal]

I struggle with spirulina, you have to take so many in tablet form, I’ve tried mixing it in drinks, but let’s be honest it’s like grass, a very earthy taste. Any recommendations for alternative ways to take it?

[Louise]

You are so right Teal, it is a powder than you have to slowly become friends with. When I first started using the powder I felt it tainted everything, now I have a heaped teaspoon and can’t even taste it. I have mine mixed in with my smoothies. If I’m poorly, and don’t feel like eating, which is rare :sly: I will mix it in a glass of water, adding a small bit of warmed water, and mix to a paste, before adding room temperature water. I may add a half spoon of honey or a squeeze of Lemmon and just knock it back.

[Nancy]

Add it to a fruit smoothie, but start with small quantities and build up the amount, your tastebuds will adjust to the taste over time.

[Deena]

Isn’t spirulina meant to be toxic?

[Joolz]

Isn’t spirulina meant to be toxic?

Yes spirulina can be toxic if it becomes contaminated with toxic metals, harmful bacteria and microcystins — toxins produced from some algae —if it is grown in unsafe conditions.

Check that you purchase from a reliable retailer and mix with a strong tasting berry to cut through the taste of the powders or add a good quality honey to sweeten

[Alf]

I use spirulina to help my body detox from heavy metals. I can’t say it works, because how would you know? But it is said to work! :confused:

[Jackie361]

This is strong tasting stuff so not something you would be consuming regularly

[Ella]

Spirulina is very good at binding to heavy metals in the body, helping to flush them out, a perfect powder for detoxing.

[Ella]

I struggle with spirulina, you have to take so many in tablet form, I’ve tried mixing it in drinks, but let’s be honest it’s like grass, a very earthy taste. Any recommendations for alternative ways to take it?

You need strong flavours to counteract the taste, citrus is always my go to option, or honey will help to lighten the earthy taste.

[Fred]

The organic versions of these green powders are definitely worth trying to incorporate into our daily/weekly diets. The addition of the chlorophyll is essential to our bodies to help us synthesise sunlight properly. So many people do not eat fresh green leaves that their body is missing out on this really essential nutrient. Which may be one explanation for the problem with skin cancer.