Spirulina benefits for health

Spirulina is part of the blue-green algae family. It is mainly found in regions such as Africa and South America where there are warm, alkaline water bodies. The algae are composed of many essential nutrients such as the B vitamins, vitamin C, vitamin E and almost 70 percent of protein.

It also contains numerous essential fatty acids, antioxidants and vital minerals such as zinc, magnesium, iron and potassium. Spirulina is regarded as a super food due to its extraordinary health benefits.

The protein contained in spirulina is easily assimilated in the body.

In fact, spirulina provides the most digestible natural protein in the world. It is absorbed quickly and along with simple carbohydrates, it supplies the body with immediate energy. It is for this reason that many professional athletes consider spirulina to be an important part of their health regimen. It enhances performance on a daily basis. Spirulina contains protein which is made up of all the important amino acids. This stands it apart from other nutritious foods such as beans which do not have certain amino acids. People who require more protein in the diet benefit greatly from spirulina. Spirulina supplements are often recommended for individuals on high protein diets, those who engage in rigorous training and those who need to gain weight. Spirulina powder has been approved by the World Health Organization and is popular among professional athletes and body builders.

Spirulina, along with other blue-green algae, contain the essential fatty acid known as gamma linolenic acid. It is an omega-6 fatty acid which has several health benefits. Interestingly, the acid is mainly found only in breast milk. Gamma linolenic acid or GLA is beneficial for proper growth and development. In times of severe stress, the body tissues release several toxins and free radicals. Spirulina contains chlorophyll and this helps to get rid of this waste material from the body. It has a detoxifying effect on the blood, kidneys and liver. Individuals who follow low carbohydrate diets are known to benefit from this detoxification as such diets can strain the kidneys and liver due to the high levels of ketones that are eliminated. Spirulina also protects the body from toxins present in the environment. Spirulina is able to bind itself to toxins and eliminate them from the system.

Studies have shown that spirulina may also help in preventing cancer. It contains the blue pigment known as phycocyanin which is a biliprotein known for its cancer-inhibiting properties. The unique color of spirulina also comes from chlorophyll which is known to prevent the formation of cancer colonies. When the cancer cells are prevented from forming colonies, the naturally occurring cancer cells in the body are less likely to spread and develop into symptomatic cancer. Cancer cells are present in the body from time to time, but the immune system helps to fight them and thus prevents the disease from occurring. Another extremely important benefit of spirulina is its immune boosting effect. It triggers the natural disease-fighting cells of the immune system and thus helps in preventing cancer and other diseases such as the common cold.

The unique super food can also lower blood glucose levels. Researchers found that spirulina reduced the levels of blood glucose in individuals with type 2 diabetes. It was also discovered that spirulina along with zinc helped to bring down blood glucose levels and also reduced blood fats in diabetic individuals. Due to all these health benefits, spirulina makes a wonderful addition to the diet. It is especially helpful for those who do not regularly consume dark green leafy vegetables. In fact even dark green leafy vegetables do not have some of the health properties contained in spirulina. Health experts recommend incorporating spirulina in the diet especially if the diet contains a lot of animal protein. Individuals who consume higher levels of animal protein sources such as meat and cheese do not experience proper protein assimilation in the body. There is also a greater buildup of water products.

Today spirulina is available in most countries and can be purchased from health food stores. You can even buy it from various websites over the internet. It is however important to check the details of the product such as where it was grown and how it was cultivated properly. Controlled cultivation leads to a pure culture of the algae. Spirulina is widely considered to be safe to use, but there are variations in quality. Spirulina is sometimes harvested from polluted water bodies and hence may be contaminated. Therefore it is advisable to buy spirulina only from trusted sources. A great way to incorporate spirulina in the diet is through smoothies. Add a tablespoon of spirulina to a blender along with some frozen banana, milk and a couple of eggs. The sweetness of the bananas helps to mask the bitterness of the spirulina.