Spirulina
Spirulina is a type of blue green algae that abundantly grow in many lakes or ponds. [1] Spirulina thrives in hot and sunny environment. [2] Spirulina is cultivated around the world and is used as a human dietary supplement as well as a whole food and is available in tablet and powder form. [3, 4]
Nutritional Profile of Spirulina
It is a super food having tremendous amount of useful nutritional supplements. It offers complete and impressive nutritional profile. [1] Spirulina is loaded with protein and amino acids, making it favorite for vegetarians that are unable to consume sufficient amount of protein on daily basis. [1, 2] Spirulina’s nutritional profile doesn’t only mean to have protein. [1] It also contains chlorophyll and from supplemental perspective it supports immune system, wound healing and harmful effects of germs. [1] While another blue pigment that is found in spirulina is phycocinin that increased survival rate in mice with liver problems in laboratory experiments. [2] Additionally it is also teeming with a long list of ingredients or nutrients like selenium, zinc, copper manganese, vitamin B and E, carotenoids and gamma linolenic acid. Spirulina has characteristically large amount of iron and vitamin B 12 as specially. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
Historical Perspectives
It is said that Chinese medicinal healer used spirulina very firstly, while it is also being used in Mexico and Africa. Many people believe that its high level of nutrients help to promote wellness significantly. [1] In history spirulina is used to mitigate infection, as an immune supporter, allergy reliever, and liver health supporter. [1]
Spirulina has also been used from the prehistoric time when as a source of nutrients and has been supposed to possess a variety of medical benefits that include antioxidant, antiviral, anticancerous activities. [5] Spirulina is also act as weight loss and lipid-lowering agent and used by people in ancient time. [5]
Functions of Spirulina
Immune Health - A Core Prerequisite to Good Health
Spirulina is natural food supplement that may help immune system. [1, 2] Some animal and test tube studies suggest that spirulina may increase production of antibodies and fighting proteins against germs thus improve immunity and aids to ward off harmful effects of germs on body that include herpes and influenza. [4]
Healthy Digestion
Use of spirulina also promotes healthy digestion. [1]
Attenuation of Exaggerated Response of Defense Mechanism
Spirulina is also effective to diminish exaggerated response of defense mechanism [1, 4, 5] by decreasing release of histamine that may lead to reduction in symptoms such as a runny nose, watery eyes, irritation of skin, and soft-tissue swelling. [4]
Prevention from longstanding problems
Like other effects another effect of spirulina include its precautionary activity against longstanding problems, [1] especially long standing problem of oral cavity. [5]
Appetite Suppression
It supplies enough nutrients for people and help to curbing appetite as an appetite suppressant. [2]
Supportive during Low Blood Sugar Level
A person with low blood sugar may benefit from using spirullina between the meals because its high protein content stabilizes blood sugar level. [2]
Liver Health
Spirulina may help to work against liver damage in persons with cirrhosis and hepatitis. [4]
Others
Spirulina is also effective in great array of health concerns like muscular damage and discomfort,[1] obesity [2] and Arsenic poisoning. [1, 5]
It also shows its favorable effects on mineral absorption [2] and energy of body. [1]
Approved Researches on Animal and Human Models
Numerous studies conducted on animal models shows that spirulina helps to put off heart damage caused as side effect of chemotherapy. Spirulina also reduces the severity of strokes and improves recovery after it. In animal models it is also revealed that it invalidates age-related declines in memory and learning. Spirulina also predominantly prevents and treats hay fever or allergy in animals. [4]
Researches on human also suggest its beneficial effect on health during hay fever. It also corrects anemia in undernourished children. Spirulina is also effective and clinically proven nutritional supplement decrease arsenic poisoning. [3]
References
- Marcia Zimmerman, CN & Jayson Kroner, CSN. (2006). 7-Syndrome Healing. Page No. 210 and 211. Chico, California: Nutrition Solution Publications.
- Phyllis A. Balch, CNC & James F. Balch, M.D. (2000). Prescription for Nutritional Healing. (3rd edition) Page No. 80. Penguin Putnam INC. New York: Avery.
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spirulina_(dietary_supplement)
- http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/spirulina-000327.htm
- http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/natural/patient-spirulina.html
Disclaimer
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, cure, mitigate, treat, or prevent any disease.
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