Excessive population growth, the contamination of our environment, and the decreased nutritive value of the food we eat has forced us, as individuals and as a world family, to seek alternatives to the packaged, processed, adulterated, overpriced foods that are sold everywhere. Simple, clean foods that can help us cope with the ever increasing psychological, emotional, and physical demands of the Twenty first century is where are future lies.
As I go through the years and study cultures like the tradition of the Aztecs, Mayas, Toltecs, and other ancient cultures, I realize that the world is slowly coming back to a very basic approach to feeding itself: Eating low on the food chain by consuming nutrient rich microalgae, such as Spirulina. From the simplest elements – water, carbon dioxide, simple nitrogen and phosphorus, and sunlight – Spirulina creates an extremely concentrated and wonderfully complex food, rich in an astonishing array of nutrients. This is what is meant by being low on the food chain.
There are over forty thousand–yes, someone has actually counted them–types of single-celled microalgae which need only a drop of water and a sunbeam to make them prosper. But among those forty thousand varieties of little water-loving organisms, one species is clearly making the largest nutritional splash. Of the more than 30,000 species of algae, blue-green algae, such as Spirulina, are the most primitive. They contain no nucleus and their cell walls are soft and easily digested, unlike those of other plants that contain hard cellulose. Of all the algae, Spirulina has emerged as the most potent and nutritious food. In fact, Spirulina is the most concentrated and nutritious whole food known to science. Although Spirulina has been around for millions of years, its widespread popularity as a food is very recent.
Weighing in at an impressive 60% protein content, Spirulina is a fresh water alga–actually, a form of bacteria–which knocks both red meat, at 27%, soy, at 34%, and Quinoa at 17%, on the ropes in terms of muscle-building potential. And it brings to the ring, along with all that protein, a powerful combination of minerals, including iron, calcium, and magnesium, with a backup punch of all the vitamins to which the first five letters of the alphabet have been assigned. If only Spirulina were bigger; it might have been able to fit all the vitamins in. But a single Spirulina alga measures approximately .0196850394 inches in length.
The most avid believers in the health benefits of Spirulina are the Japanese, who both produce and consume more of it than anyone else. Some Japanese researchers claim that Spirulina, because of the high concentration of its nutrients, is useful in helping diabetics control their food cravings and decrease their insulin intake. The Chinese add Spirulina to the diets of commercially produced poultry and livestock to increase their growth rates.
Spirulina has been called the most complete food on the planet, containing over 100 nutrients. It has all of the essential amino acids in balance, which means it is a complete protein. It has more protein than beef, is 90% digestible, meaning it is an easy complex protein to digest. Being a plant food and high in protein and vitamin B-12, Spirulina is great for vegetarians who might not get enough protein with a strict vegetarian diet. In addition to protein, Spirulina has an abundance of beta-carotene, iron, copper, manganese, selenium, zing, trace minerals, gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), vitamin E, vitamin D, vitamin K and vitamin B-12 and other B vitamins.
Since Algae was the first plants to appear on the planet, billions of years ago they transformed the carbon-dioxide-based atmosphere to an oxygen-rich atmosphere in which other life forms could evolve. Most people think of algae as green or red stuff growing in the ocean or lakes, but, like land plants, there are countless different species of algae; algae come in different colors and sizes and provide everything from deadly toxins to potent medicines. Of the more than 30,000 species of algae, blue green algae, such as Spirulina, are the most primitive. They contain no nucleus and their cell walls are soft and easily digested, unlike those of other plants that contain hard cellulose.
As I go through the years and study cultures like the tradition of the Aztecs, Mayas, Toltecs, and other ancient cultures, I realize that the world is slowly coming back to a very basic approach to feeding itself: Eating low on the food chain by consuming nutrient rich microalgae, such as Spirulina. From the simplest elements – water, carbon dioxide, simple nitrogen and phosphorus, and sunlight – Spirulina creates an extremely concentrated and wonderfully complex food, rich in an astonishing array of nutrients. This is what is meant by being low on the food chain.
There are over forty thousand–yes, someone has actually counted them–types of single-celled microalgae which need only a drop of water and a sunbeam to make them prosper. But among those forty thousand varieties of little water-loving organisms, one species is clearly making the largest nutritional splash. Of the more than 30,000 species of algae, blue-green algae, such as Spirulina, are the most primitive. They contain no nucleus and their cell walls are soft and easily digested, unlike those of other plants that contain hard cellulose. Of all the algae, Spirulina has emerged as the most potent and nutritious food. In fact, Spirulina is the most concentrated and nutritious whole food known to science. Although Spirulina has been around for millions of years, its widespread popularity as a food is very recent.
Weighing in at an impressive 60% protein content, Spirulina is a fresh water alga–actually, a form of bacteria–which knocks both red meat, at 27%, soy, at 34%, and Quinoa at 17%, on the ropes in terms of muscle-building potential. And it brings to the ring, along with all that protein, a powerful combination of minerals, including iron, calcium, and magnesium, with a backup punch of all the vitamins to which the first five letters of the alphabet have been assigned. If only Spirulina were bigger; it might have been able to fit all the vitamins in. But a single Spirulina alga measures approximately .0196850394 inches in length.
The most avid believers in the health benefits of Spirulina are the Japanese, who both produce and consume more of it than anyone else. Some Japanese researchers claim that Spirulina, because of the high concentration of its nutrients, is useful in helping diabetics control their food cravings and decrease their insulin intake. The Chinese add Spirulina to the diets of commercially produced poultry and livestock to increase their growth rates.
Spirulina has been called the most complete food on the planet, containing over 100 nutrients. It has all of the essential amino acids in balance, which means it is a complete protein. It has more protein than beef, is 90% digestible, meaning it is an easy complex protein to digest. Being a plant food and high in protein and vitamin B-12, Spirulina is great for vegetarians who might not get enough protein with a strict vegetarian diet. In addition to protein, Spirulina has an abundance of beta-carotene, iron, copper, manganese, selenium, zing, trace minerals, gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), vitamin E, vitamin D, vitamin K and vitamin B-12 and other B vitamins.
Since Algae was the first plants to appear on the planet, billions of years ago they transformed the carbon-dioxide-based atmosphere to an oxygen-rich atmosphere in which other life forms could evolve. Most people think of algae as green or red stuff growing in the ocean or lakes, but, like land plants, there are countless different species of algae; algae come in different colors and sizes and provide everything from deadly toxins to potent medicines. Of the more than 30,000 species of algae, blue green algae, such as Spirulina, are the most primitive. They contain no nucleus and their cell walls are soft and easily digested, unlike those of other plants that contain hard cellulose.
The Health Benefits of Spirulina
The digestibility of Spirulina is very important to people who have a medical problem with their digestive system that keeps them from properly digesting and being able to use protein. Some older people also have problems being able to properly digest protein. Spirulina is easily digestible and usable by our bodies providing energy and stamina for work and play, can benefit children, pregnant and nursing mothers, adults with poor eating habits, people who are fasting or dieting, athletes, senior citizens, ill people who need more nourishment, and anyone who wants to increase their resistance to disease.
The abundance of phytochemicals in Spirulina makes it a very healthy food since phytochemicals have so many healthy benefits including antioxidants, anti viral, anti cancer, antiseptic properties and immune system boosting properties. Spirulina also contains chlorophyll, which has its own set of healthy properties. Another spirulina health benefit is how it can help alleviate sinus allergies. In fact, a doctor and researcher wrote in the Journal of Medicinal Food about a medical study that demonstrated this benefit. The doctor noted “This is the first time that a nutraceutical has been shown to have beneficial effects on the machinery that causes human allergies.” Journal of Medicinal Food8(1):27-30, 2005.
Most people consume too many acidic foods, such as coffee, soda, alcohol, sugar and meat. Spirulina is an alkaline food that can help balance your body toward more healthful alkalinity. In fact, most people would benefit from adding a good source of spirulina to their daily diet. A measure of the powder mixed in fruit or vegetable juice or smoothies or a number of tablets of spirulina taken every day can support many spirulina health benefits.
Are There any Spirulina Side Effects?
Spirulina is a food and has a long history of safe use. The only potential black marks against Spirulina are its expense and the possibility that its high protein, vitamin, and mineral, according to the Hong Kong Dietitian Association, could cause kidney and liver problems. Excessive protein intake can overload the kidneys; too many vitamins and minerals, the liver. Spirulina, if the Hong Kong experts are to be believed, can be too much of a good thing.
Because spirulina is cultivated in many countries, some algae harvested from polluted lakes and waterways might be contaminated. Buy from a trusted source. Today, most spirulina is being safely and scientifically cultivated in pure waters at specially designed aquatic farms. Some of the best quality product is grown in the pristine clean waters of Hawaii which is why Hawaiian spirulina is famous for its reputed spirulina health benefits.
Tips on How to Choose / Buy
Spirulina is now available in 70 countries and can be purchased from most health food outlets as well as through the internet. But before you buy, check the label or the source to see where it was grown and if the cultivation was controlled for a pure culture. Spirulina can be taken in tablet or powder form. For those who prefer the powder, there are a growing number of recipes available, some of which disguise the taste, and some of which enhance it. Many users simply mix their Spirulina with water, but that is certainly not for everyone. Spirulina does not dissolve in liquids, but becomes suspended, so it must be vigorously shaken or made into a paste with a small amount of liquid before being added to soups or stews.
Once you get used to the color – and it is an intense color – you can enjoy Spirulina in many everyday dishes. Mixed in chili, for example, you can barely taste the Spirulina, but the chili does turn a rather strange color You can go to town on St. Patrick's Day by adding Spirulina to fruit punch, beer, cake icing, and ice cream. Any time you need a natural green food coloring, Spirulina is the perfect choice. Remember, it is extremely concentrated, so very little is needed.
A list of health benefits associated with Spirulina includes:
• Cleansing the body
• Speeds muscle recovery
• Speeds skin recovery
• Builds healthy red blood cells
• Increases the health of the digestive system
• Reduces the symptoms of hay fever and allergies
• Detoxifies the body and the liver
• Cleanses the kidneys
• Helps with insulin production
• Can provide energy and endurance and as an anti-inflammatory
Spirulina supplies nutrients that are lacking in most of our diets. It provides athletes with long lasting energy and reduces recovery time, nourishes people who have digestion, assimilation, and elimination problems. It satisfies the appetite as it provides essential nutrients to weight watchers, enables children and others who don't like vegetables to eat their greens by taking a few tablets, and it helps busy people who don't have time for regular balanced meals to nourish themselves. People with various health problems swear by Spirulina - it appears to promote overall health and well-being.
Comparing Spirulina with other foods:
• Spirulina has 300% more calcium than whole milk
• Spirulina has 2300% more iron than spinach
• Spirulina has 3900% more beta carotene than carrots
• Spirulina has 375% more protein than tofu
• Three grams of Spirulina has more antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity than five
servings of vegetables
• Comparing phytonutrient levels, Spirulina is 31 times more potent than blueberries, 60 times
more potent than spinach and 700 times more potent than apples
The digestibility of Spirulina is very important to people who have a medical problem with their digestive system that keeps them from properly digesting and being able to use protein. Some older people also have problems being able to properly digest protein. Spirulina is easily digestible and usable by our bodies providing energy and stamina for work and play, can benefit children, pregnant and nursing mothers, adults with poor eating habits, people who are fasting or dieting, athletes, senior citizens, ill people who need more nourishment, and anyone who wants to increase their resistance to disease.
The abundance of phytochemicals in Spirulina makes it a very healthy food since phytochemicals have so many healthy benefits including antioxidants, anti viral, anti cancer, antiseptic properties and immune system boosting properties. Spirulina also contains chlorophyll, which has its own set of healthy properties. Another spirulina health benefit is how it can help alleviate sinus allergies. In fact, a doctor and researcher wrote in the Journal of Medicinal Food about a medical study that demonstrated this benefit. The doctor noted “This is the first time that a nutraceutical has been shown to have beneficial effects on the machinery that causes human allergies.” Journal of Medicinal Food8(1):27-30, 2005.
Most people consume too many acidic foods, such as coffee, soda, alcohol, sugar and meat. Spirulina is an alkaline food that can help balance your body toward more healthful alkalinity. In fact, most people would benefit from adding a good source of spirulina to their daily diet. A measure of the powder mixed in fruit or vegetable juice or smoothies or a number of tablets of spirulina taken every day can support many spirulina health benefits.
Are There any Spirulina Side Effects?
Spirulina is a food and has a long history of safe use. The only potential black marks against Spirulina are its expense and the possibility that its high protein, vitamin, and mineral, according to the Hong Kong Dietitian Association, could cause kidney and liver problems. Excessive protein intake can overload the kidneys; too many vitamins and minerals, the liver. Spirulina, if the Hong Kong experts are to be believed, can be too much of a good thing.
Because spirulina is cultivated in many countries, some algae harvested from polluted lakes and waterways might be contaminated. Buy from a trusted source. Today, most spirulina is being safely and scientifically cultivated in pure waters at specially designed aquatic farms. Some of the best quality product is grown in the pristine clean waters of Hawaii which is why Hawaiian spirulina is famous for its reputed spirulina health benefits.
Tips on How to Choose / Buy
Spirulina is now available in 70 countries and can be purchased from most health food outlets as well as through the internet. But before you buy, check the label or the source to see where it was grown and if the cultivation was controlled for a pure culture. Spirulina can be taken in tablet or powder form. For those who prefer the powder, there are a growing number of recipes available, some of which disguise the taste, and some of which enhance it. Many users simply mix their Spirulina with water, but that is certainly not for everyone. Spirulina does not dissolve in liquids, but becomes suspended, so it must be vigorously shaken or made into a paste with a small amount of liquid before being added to soups or stews.
Once you get used to the color – and it is an intense color – you can enjoy Spirulina in many everyday dishes. Mixed in chili, for example, you can barely taste the Spirulina, but the chili does turn a rather strange color You can go to town on St. Patrick's Day by adding Spirulina to fruit punch, beer, cake icing, and ice cream. Any time you need a natural green food coloring, Spirulina is the perfect choice. Remember, it is extremely concentrated, so very little is needed.
A list of health benefits associated with Spirulina includes:
• Cleansing the body
• Speeds muscle recovery
• Speeds skin recovery
• Builds healthy red blood cells
• Increases the health of the digestive system
• Reduces the symptoms of hay fever and allergies
• Detoxifies the body and the liver
• Cleanses the kidneys
• Helps with insulin production
• Can provide energy and endurance and as an anti-inflammatory
Spirulina supplies nutrients that are lacking in most of our diets. It provides athletes with long lasting energy and reduces recovery time, nourishes people who have digestion, assimilation, and elimination problems. It satisfies the appetite as it provides essential nutrients to weight watchers, enables children and others who don't like vegetables to eat their greens by taking a few tablets, and it helps busy people who don't have time for regular balanced meals to nourish themselves. People with various health problems swear by Spirulina - it appears to promote overall health and well-being.
Comparing Spirulina with other foods:
• Spirulina has 300% more calcium than whole milk
• Spirulina has 2300% more iron than spinach
• Spirulina has 3900% more beta carotene than carrots
• Spirulina has 375% more protein than tofu
• Three grams of Spirulina has more antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity than five
servings of vegetables
• Comparing phytonutrient levels, Spirulina is 31 times more potent than blueberries, 60 times
more potent than spinach and 700 times more potent than apples
The health and fitness revolution has brought about new attitudes to diet and lifestyle. Now that we live longer, we want to stay strong and healthy. The demand for natural unprocessed food is growing daily. But, because most of us lead such busy lives, we need to prepare a lot of our meals in a hurry. We want our food to be fast and healthy – not just fast. We often eat out, and those meals are generally lower in nutrients than meals prepared at home.
The National Research Council's Committee on Diet and Health recommends that we eat 5-9 servings of fruit and vegetables a day; even for people who try to eat well, that's quite a challenge. Many of us don't make it a priority to prepare healthy meals every day. It’s good to know that by eating just 3 grams of Spirulina each day we get more antioxidant and anti-inflammatory nutrients than are found in 5 servings of vegetables!
To remedy poor diets, many people take food supplements. Taking synthetic vitamin supplements can help; however good synthetics may be, natural food is always better. The body absorbs and utilizes food more efficiently than it does synthetics. Intuitively our bodies prefer food, and Spirulina is an extremely digestible, nutritious food.
Nutrition for People of All Ages
Spirulina is a perfect complimentary nutrient for people of all ages. No RDAs (Recommended Daily Allowances) have been set for the elderly, but their nutritional needs are different from those of other age groups. They are more likely than younger people to be deficient in certain nutrients and may not absorb, utilize, or store nutrients efficiently. Many elderly people are on medication for extended periods, which interferes with nutrient levels. It may not be easy to obtain all the required nutrients from food, so it is important to take food supplements that can be easily digested and utilized by the body. Spirulina is a high energy food, and due to its soft cell wall, Spirulina offers nutrients in an easily assimilable form. People of all ages also take Spirulina for its cleansing effect and its ability to help improve digestion and elimination.
The amount of Spirulina taken can be adjusted to fit the needs of an individual according to their age, health status or the particular results they want to achieve. Children who won't eat their vegetables and students away from home should take Spirulina. People who do not consistently eat good, nutritious food are also good candidates for Spirulina. Older people and people recovering from operations should take Spirulina. People who need more energy or aren’t eating a well balanced diet should take Spirulina; in fact, all of the groups mentioned above should eat Spirulina every day. It's reassuring to know that, even when we're busy, with not enough time to shop or cook, we can still eat our greens by taking Spirulina. I am not suggesting that taking Spirulina makes it all right to live on junk food, but Spirulina is certainly a good addition to any diet.
Healthy and Safe Dieting
With Spirulina you can maintain high energy levels and know that you are getting the benefit of a super-nutritious food without consuming a lot of calories or fat: There are less than four calories in a gram of Spirulina. Take at least six tablets or a teaspoon of powder, which is roughly three grams, about an hour before meals. This helps to satisfy the appetite and reduce cravings. For some, taking Spirulina also reduces the desire for sweets and fried foods. You may want to experiment until you find the amount and the schedule that works best for you. If you tend to eat throughout the day, try taking a few tablets three times a day. If you eat more in the evenings, you may want to take all your Spirulina powder or tablets about an hour before dinner, or even after dinner. Using Spirulina to help satisfy your appetite is a healthy and safe way to lose weight. Eat lots of fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains; and cut down on fats, sugars, and processed foods. Eating smaller portions is obviously the key to losing weight, and this is where Spirulina helps. Eating slowly and chewing each mouthful thoroughly also helps.
Exercise
No health program is complete without exercise. In today's stressful and hectic lifestyles people are becoming more health conscious. The health conscious population of today make it a point to exercise daily and eat just the right kind of the food. More and more people are seen going to the gyms for their regular workouts. But by simply working out is not going to help. You also need to modify your eating habits and eat more nutritious and healthy food. After all you are what you eat. In the recent times more people have become aware of the health benefits of the wonder food Spirulina. Due to the wide numbers of the nutrients that it supplies us, Spirulina is an extremely high energy food, great before or after a workout and is said to increase stamina, endurance and recovery. Spirulina is a great combination with the workout since it provides the body with the eight essential amino acids, which are the building blocks of proteins. A good workout along with a good diet will reward you with good health and life. After a strenuous workout where the body is pushed to its limits, the Spirulina consumption helps the body to rebuild the body and muscle tissue that has been torn down. Spirulina when taken before a meal also helps the stomach prepare for proper digestion since it helps to accelerate the reproductive rate of probiotics. Thus Spirulina is a great supplement along with regular exercise to give you the desired result and good health.
Research
The National Cancer Institute has found that the sulfolipids in Spirulina were active against the AIDS virus in vitro. Small amounts of Spirulina reduced the viral replication while larger amounts actually stopped the replication of the virus. Other tests found that a hot water extract of Spirulina was found to inhibit the replication of the HIV-1, mumps, herpes simplex-1, measles, human cytomegalovirus and influenza type A [3]. Other in vitro studies show Spirulina could inhibit cancers and repair DNA damaged by cancer [4]. Studies in India have shown that 1-gram of Spirulina per day caused a total regression of mouth cancer lesions in 44% of males [5]. Spirulina also does a great job of cleansing the kidneys of toxins of the mercury and toxins from some prescription drugs. Research found that it eliminated seven times the amount of dioxin from the body when compared to a controlled diet. After the Chernobyl accident in the Ukraine, a Russian patent was issued in 1994 for Spirulina as a medical food for reducing the allergic reactions to radiation sickness.
A very important clinical trial was done on tobacco chewers that had precancerous lesions in their mouths. The group taking Spirulina (at a remarkably low dose of only one gram per day) had complete regression of the lesions in 20 of 44 cases (45%). In the placebo group, only 3 of 43 (7%) showed regression. Within one year of discontinuing Spirulina consumption 9 out of 20 (45%) of the subjects that had complete regression developed new lesions! (Mathew et al, 1995). In a study done in Europe that examined the effect that Spirulina has on patients with multiple sclerosis, the researchers said “It has been established that intake of Spirulina makes for lengthening of remission in those patients with disseminated sclerosis (Buletsa et al, 1996).
Spirulina has been shown to help the liver and to help people already suffering from liver disease. A study was done on 60 patients with chronic dif- fuse disorders of the liver as well as 70 animals with toxic affection of the liver. They found that Spirulina was effective for both the people and the animals. They attributed the hepatoprotective (liver-protecting) properties of Spirulina to its antiinflammatory, antioxidant, membranestabilizing and immunocorrecting actions. They found that Spirulina stabilized the liver disease and prevented the disease from progressing to cirrhosis (Gorban et al, 2000). There are hundreds of studies that have proven effective using Spirulina and to many to list here, I would be happy to send those who requested more info on the spirulina research.
Spirulina Contains
vitamin A, B1 (thiamine), B2 (riboflavin), B3 (niacin), B6 (pyridoxine), B12 (cobalamin), vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E, folate, vitamin K, biotin, pantothenic acid, beta carotene (source of vitamin A), inositol. calcium, manganese, iron, chromium, phosphorus, molybdenum, iodine, chloride, magnesium, sodium, zinc, potassium, selenium, germanium, copper, boron, phycocyanin, chlorophyll, carotenoids, myxoxanthophyll, zeaxanthin, cryptoxanthin, echinenone and other xanthophylls, gamma linolenic acid, glycolipids, sulfolipids, polysaccharides,isoleucine, phenylalanine, leucine, threonine, lysine, tryptophan, methionine, valine, alanine, glycine, arginine, histidine, aspartic acid, proline, cystine, serine, glutamic acid, and tyrosine.
The National Research Council's Committee on Diet and Health recommends that we eat 5-9 servings of fruit and vegetables a day; even for people who try to eat well, that's quite a challenge. Many of us don't make it a priority to prepare healthy meals every day. It’s good to know that by eating just 3 grams of Spirulina each day we get more antioxidant and anti-inflammatory nutrients than are found in 5 servings of vegetables!
To remedy poor diets, many people take food supplements. Taking synthetic vitamin supplements can help; however good synthetics may be, natural food is always better. The body absorbs and utilizes food more efficiently than it does synthetics. Intuitively our bodies prefer food, and Spirulina is an extremely digestible, nutritious food.
Nutrition for People of All Ages
Spirulina is a perfect complimentary nutrient for people of all ages. No RDAs (Recommended Daily Allowances) have been set for the elderly, but their nutritional needs are different from those of other age groups. They are more likely than younger people to be deficient in certain nutrients and may not absorb, utilize, or store nutrients efficiently. Many elderly people are on medication for extended periods, which interferes with nutrient levels. It may not be easy to obtain all the required nutrients from food, so it is important to take food supplements that can be easily digested and utilized by the body. Spirulina is a high energy food, and due to its soft cell wall, Spirulina offers nutrients in an easily assimilable form. People of all ages also take Spirulina for its cleansing effect and its ability to help improve digestion and elimination.
The amount of Spirulina taken can be adjusted to fit the needs of an individual according to their age, health status or the particular results they want to achieve. Children who won't eat their vegetables and students away from home should take Spirulina. People who do not consistently eat good, nutritious food are also good candidates for Spirulina. Older people and people recovering from operations should take Spirulina. People who need more energy or aren’t eating a well balanced diet should take Spirulina; in fact, all of the groups mentioned above should eat Spirulina every day. It's reassuring to know that, even when we're busy, with not enough time to shop or cook, we can still eat our greens by taking Spirulina. I am not suggesting that taking Spirulina makes it all right to live on junk food, but Spirulina is certainly a good addition to any diet.
Healthy and Safe Dieting
With Spirulina you can maintain high energy levels and know that you are getting the benefit of a super-nutritious food without consuming a lot of calories or fat: There are less than four calories in a gram of Spirulina. Take at least six tablets or a teaspoon of powder, which is roughly three grams, about an hour before meals. This helps to satisfy the appetite and reduce cravings. For some, taking Spirulina also reduces the desire for sweets and fried foods. You may want to experiment until you find the amount and the schedule that works best for you. If you tend to eat throughout the day, try taking a few tablets three times a day. If you eat more in the evenings, you may want to take all your Spirulina powder or tablets about an hour before dinner, or even after dinner. Using Spirulina to help satisfy your appetite is a healthy and safe way to lose weight. Eat lots of fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains; and cut down on fats, sugars, and processed foods. Eating smaller portions is obviously the key to losing weight, and this is where Spirulina helps. Eating slowly and chewing each mouthful thoroughly also helps.
Exercise
No health program is complete without exercise. In today's stressful and hectic lifestyles people are becoming more health conscious. The health conscious population of today make it a point to exercise daily and eat just the right kind of the food. More and more people are seen going to the gyms for their regular workouts. But by simply working out is not going to help. You also need to modify your eating habits and eat more nutritious and healthy food. After all you are what you eat. In the recent times more people have become aware of the health benefits of the wonder food Spirulina. Due to the wide numbers of the nutrients that it supplies us, Spirulina is an extremely high energy food, great before or after a workout and is said to increase stamina, endurance and recovery. Spirulina is a great combination with the workout since it provides the body with the eight essential amino acids, which are the building blocks of proteins. A good workout along with a good diet will reward you with good health and life. After a strenuous workout where the body is pushed to its limits, the Spirulina consumption helps the body to rebuild the body and muscle tissue that has been torn down. Spirulina when taken before a meal also helps the stomach prepare for proper digestion since it helps to accelerate the reproductive rate of probiotics. Thus Spirulina is a great supplement along with regular exercise to give you the desired result and good health.
Research
The National Cancer Institute has found that the sulfolipids in Spirulina were active against the AIDS virus in vitro. Small amounts of Spirulina reduced the viral replication while larger amounts actually stopped the replication of the virus. Other tests found that a hot water extract of Spirulina was found to inhibit the replication of the HIV-1, mumps, herpes simplex-1, measles, human cytomegalovirus and influenza type A [3]. Other in vitro studies show Spirulina could inhibit cancers and repair DNA damaged by cancer [4]. Studies in India have shown that 1-gram of Spirulina per day caused a total regression of mouth cancer lesions in 44% of males [5]. Spirulina also does a great job of cleansing the kidneys of toxins of the mercury and toxins from some prescription drugs. Research found that it eliminated seven times the amount of dioxin from the body when compared to a controlled diet. After the Chernobyl accident in the Ukraine, a Russian patent was issued in 1994 for Spirulina as a medical food for reducing the allergic reactions to radiation sickness.
A very important clinical trial was done on tobacco chewers that had precancerous lesions in their mouths. The group taking Spirulina (at a remarkably low dose of only one gram per day) had complete regression of the lesions in 20 of 44 cases (45%). In the placebo group, only 3 of 43 (7%) showed regression. Within one year of discontinuing Spirulina consumption 9 out of 20 (45%) of the subjects that had complete regression developed new lesions! (Mathew et al, 1995). In a study done in Europe that examined the effect that Spirulina has on patients with multiple sclerosis, the researchers said “It has been established that intake of Spirulina makes for lengthening of remission in those patients with disseminated sclerosis (Buletsa et al, 1996).
Spirulina has been shown to help the liver and to help people already suffering from liver disease. A study was done on 60 patients with chronic dif- fuse disorders of the liver as well as 70 animals with toxic affection of the liver. They found that Spirulina was effective for both the people and the animals. They attributed the hepatoprotective (liver-protecting) properties of Spirulina to its antiinflammatory, antioxidant, membranestabilizing and immunocorrecting actions. They found that Spirulina stabilized the liver disease and prevented the disease from progressing to cirrhosis (Gorban et al, 2000). There are hundreds of studies that have proven effective using Spirulina and to many to list here, I would be happy to send those who requested more info on the spirulina research.
Spirulina Contains
vitamin A, B1 (thiamine), B2 (riboflavin), B3 (niacin), B6 (pyridoxine), B12 (cobalamin), vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E, folate, vitamin K, biotin, pantothenic acid, beta carotene (source of vitamin A), inositol. calcium, manganese, iron, chromium, phosphorus, molybdenum, iodine, chloride, magnesium, sodium, zinc, potassium, selenium, germanium, copper, boron, phycocyanin, chlorophyll, carotenoids, myxoxanthophyll, zeaxanthin, cryptoxanthin, echinenone and other xanthophylls, gamma linolenic acid, glycolipids, sulfolipids, polysaccharides,isoleucine, phenylalanine, leucine, threonine, lysine, tryptophan, methionine, valine, alanine, glycine, arginine, histidine, aspartic acid, proline, cystine, serine, glutamic acid, and tyrosine.
