Spirulina represents a biomass of cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) that can be consumed by humans and other animals. There are two species, Arthrospira platensis and Arthrospira maxima.
Arthrospira is cultivated worldwide; used as a dietary supplement as well as a whole food; and is also available in tablet, flake and powder form. It is also used as a feed supplement in the aquaculture, aquarium and poultry industries.
You might be surprised to learn that spirulina is actually the very algae that you might find on the top of a pond.
Yes, it’s that very same algae that you can see and which may turn you off as pond scum, but is actually really good for you in so many ways.
Obviously, when you eat it in the final form of spirulina, it is prepared and safe to eat.
Therefore, the health benefits that come along with it are too amazing to ignore.
Spirulina has a dark blue-green color and is a spiral-shaped type of algae.
It’s very specific in its makeup and this is the reason why this algae, in its final form, is loaded with protein that you can enjoy and benefit from.
It is similar to other sea vegetables such as chlorella or kelp in its nutritional profile.
This type of algae is harvested from lakes in warmer climates such as Africa or South America, but it is also being grown and utilized on a more local basis too.
Though you may not necessarily have thought of algae as a food source, you will see that it can actually taste good when grown and prepared accordingly.
Not only is spirulina an excellent source of protein, but it is believed to have some really wonderful natural healing powers for a number of medical conditions too.
The History Behind It
You might wonder how algae sitting on top of a pond suddenly evolved into a viable food source.
As you can imagine, this didn’t happen overnight; there is a rich and specific history to it.
What was once just pond scum took time to be accepted and enjoyed as food.
This belief grew exponentially once the true health benefits were understood.
Now you see this true superfood being looked to as a protein source and even a way of preventing certain health problems.
It was the type of food that was behind the scenes, so to speak, though many parts of the world enjoyed spirulina in their diets.
It wasn’t until 1974 that spirulina was actually declared one of the best foods for the future.
This declaration came at the hands of the World Food Conference and, at that time, it was specifically a food considered in helping to fight malnutrition in certain parts of the world.
Interesting Facts about Spirulina
Admittedly, until you have tried spirulina in its prepared format, you may be unsure of eating it at all.
Nearly everyone goes through this transition, but if you go in with an open mind, you will soon find that you may actually enjoy spirulina too.
Let’s start with the fact that this superfood is up to 70% protein by weight.
You would be hard pressed to find any other food that is so nutritionally superior.
Not only are you getting a really significant serving of protein, but you are also enjoying a high concentration of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
We’ll get to the specific health benefits later on, but, for now, know that the makeup of spirulina is part of what differentiates it as being unique and outstanding.
Let’s start with the coloring.
Spirulina’s color, more than likely, is unusual to you and can’t be compared to anything else you have seen.
The blue-green deep rich color of spirulina is caused by the presence of a specific pigment called phycocyanin.
It is at the heart of what leads to the health benefits and this pigment alone is specifically responsible for the rich color that you will come to recognize and appreciate.
Spirulina has an extraordinarily high antioxidant count, which may help to fight free radicals that enter the body.
It is the essence of this that causes spirulina to be nutritionally superior for both humans and animals.
Many health experts believe that the presence of the pigment phycocyanin also provides the powers to fight free radicals, also known as toxins, that may enter into the body.
It is extremely noteworthy that understanding the necessity of antioxidants in our food supply and in our health started with foods such as spirulina.
No wonder so many people and cultures have looked to and hailed spirulina for being a true superfood, even before we really recognized what that even meant in the first place!
Health Benefits of Spirulina
You hear the term “superfood” used all the time lately, but there are few foods that fit this categorization as perfectly as spirulina.
It’s a nutritious food that also happens to be beneficial to your health in a variety of different ways.
It can be an excellent protein source and it may also give you your daily dose of nutrients—not many foods can say that, but this is what helps to set spirulina apart from all the other superfoods!
The health benefits are impossible to ignore because they are so strong; therefore, it’s important to understand them fully.
This is the type of food that you want to add to your diet each and every day.
Rich in Protein
Besides the fact that spirulina contains 50%-70% protein by weight, it also contains all of the essential amino acids (1).
While some studies state that a lot of spirulina is needed to satisfy your daily requirements of protein, other studies claim that just two tablespoons are sufficient to substitute protein in a meal (2, 3).
Even though these are highly potent algae, they are not likely to substitute your meal when it comes to protein.
Plus, it is very expensive, costing about 30 times as much as milk or meat per gram.
For this reason, it may not be practical to have spirulina as the main protein source.
Instead, try other protein-based sources like whole grains, quinoa, legumes, and nuts.
Rich in Vitamins and Minerals
Spirulina, along with dairy and animal products, is one of the best sources of iodine.
Also, it has about the same amount of phosphorous, magnesium, and calcium as milk .
In addition, it is a good source of vitamin K, potassium, and pantothenic acid (B5), as well as thiamin (B1), riboflavin (B2), niacin (B3), copper, iron, and manganese.
You can clearly see spirulina is a good source of B vitamins, but what makes spirulina exceptional is the B12 vitamin found in it.
Deficiency in B12 can lead to disturbed vision, depression, and declining mental abilities.
Moreover, spirulina should not be taken as a sole source of B12 because some studies suggest our bodies are not capable of absorbing this particular form of B12.
As a substitute, try salmon, dairy and meat products, eggs, or fortified cereals.
Antidote to Poisoning
According to one study, spirulina is capable of treating arsenic poisoning.
Because high concentrations of arsenic are consumed by drinking water worldwide, Bangladeshi researchers conducted a three-month study.
34 patients suffering from chronic arsenic poisoning were given spirulina, whereas 17 patients received placebos.
Results show that spirulina mixed with zinc twice daily for 16 weeks caused a substantial improvement in symptoms.
This proves that spirulina is a powerful detoxifier, which is owing to high levels of chlorophyll and its ability to remove toxins from the blood and improve bowel and liver function.
Fights Allergies
Millions of people are having problems and irritations from allergies to dust mites, pet dander, pollen, and many more.
If you are having symptoms like stuffy nose, watery eyes, or itchy throat, there is no doubt you are suffering from one of those irritants.
Animal studies suggest that spirulina stops the release of histamine, which is responsible for symptoms of allergic rhinitis.
According to human studies, spirulina consumption improved symptoms like sneezing, nasal congestion, nasal itching, and nasal discharge when compared to the placebo group.
Regulates Blood Pressure
One way of keeping your high blood pressure under control is through healthy dieting, exercise, and lifestyle.
Another way is consuming superfoods such as spirulina.
According to a Mexican study, both men and women who were taking 4.5g of spirulina daily reduced the rates of high blood pressure in just six weeks without any dietary changes.
Of course, eating algae while consuming high amounts of unhealthy food will not make any difference.
What you actually need is a balanced diet and regular exercise.
Manages Cholesterol
Just like in the case of blood pressure, cholesterol can be regulated with a balanced diet and regular exercise.
It is also important to balance the “good” and the “bad” cholesterol to prevent a heart attack or stroke.
One of the most conventional ways of lowering your cholesterol is taking medications.
However, with medications come side effects.
On the other hand, instead of taking medications, you might want to try out nutritional supplements among which is spirulina.
In a study conducted on elderly patients, lower cholesterol levels have been associated with the consumption of 8 grams of spirulina a day for 16 weeks.
In another study, spirulina has proven to be beneficial in preventing atherosclerosis (a hardening of the arteries caused by high cholesterol levels) and decreasing risk rates for cardiovascular diseases.
Helps With Cancer, Especially Oral
As of today, cancer has become one of the leading causes of death and many studies related to spirulina’s effect on cancer have been conducted.
In one study, people who chewed tobacco and took spirulina had reduced precancerous lesions compared to the placebo group.
One research in test animals shows that spirulina prevents tumor and cancer occurrence.
Studies show that spirulina is effective in fighting oral cancer.
87 people from India with precancerous lesions were taking one gram of spirulina per day for one year.
As a result, 45% of them had a complete regression of lesions in a month, whereas only 7% in the control group were displaying regression.
When they stopped taking spirulina, lesions occurred and developed once again the following year.
In yet another study, 40 people with precancerous lesions were taking one gram of spirulina per day, which led to significant improvements in symptoms when compared to the drug Pentoxifylline.
According to a different study, spirulina has been associated with inhibiting pancreatic cancer growth.
Nevertheless, it is yet to be researched and proved that spirulina has positive effects on cancer.
You can also prevent cancer by eating plenty of organic fruits and vegetables rich in antioxidants and cutting out sugars, simple carbs, and processed foods
Boosts Immunity
If you are having health problems by catching a cold here and there, spirulina might help you.
It has been found that spirulina can enhance immune system function and prevent the development of viral infections.
Furthermore, studies conducted on senior citizens and animals show that spirulina boosts immunity.
Due to its potent nutrients such as polysaccharides, spirulina is capable of boosting immunity.
Another nutrient in spirulina, phycocyanin, is the bright blue antioxidant that increases the number of white blood cells in the body.
It is well known that white blood cells play an important role in your immune system because they produce antibodies that protect your body from foreign invaders and bacteria.
Improves Memory and Academic Performance
Studies suggest that spirulina actually improves both cognitive ability and mental health.
In a study conducted on 549 school children, who were daily taking two grams of spirulina for two months, showed improvement in academic performance by 10%.
Even though it is not certain that spirulina is the cause for improved performance, this could still be possible due to L-tryptophan – an amino acid found in spirulina, which is a precursor to the neurotransmitter serotonin.
Spirulina has also proven to prevent memory loss by reducing oxidative damage.
Protects the Brain
Taking spirulina may also protect the brain from degenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
A study compares spirulina with antioxidant foods like spinach and blueberry, which cause neuroprotective effects due to their ability to reduce inflammation and eliminate free radicals.
Also, spirulina will not only protect your brain from degeneration, but also sharpen your mind and focus.
Some findings suggest that taking spirulina daily will induce productivity and ability to work through something like ADHD.
Furthermore, neurodegenerative disorders are responsible for ischemia and aging.
In a study conducted on mice, it has been concluded that feeding them with spinach, blueberry, or spirulina has effects in the focal ischemic brain (28).
After four weeks of the trial period, all animals were given chloral hydrate.
As a result, the animals treated with blueberry, spinach, or spirulina were reported to have reduced ischemia/reperfusion-induced apoptosis and cerebral infraction.
Powerful Antioxidants
If your body is exposed to oxidative properties, this can harm your DNA and cells, which further leads to chronic inflammation, cancer, and other diseases (29).
Being very rich in antioxidants, spirulina is capable of protecting your body from oxidative damage.
Anti-Inflammatory Properties
Phycocyanin is the main active component of spirulina and gives it the unique blue-green color.
Phycocyanin has the ability to eliminate free radicals and prevent the production of inflammatory molecules, thus providing impressive anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects
Protects LDL Cholesterol from Becoming Oxidized
Today, heart disease is the leading death cause.
Many termed risk factors have been linked to an increased danger of heart disease.
Spirulina has been associated with bringing about beneficial effects to these factors: lowering total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides, while raising HDL-cholesterol (the “good” cholesterol).
One study had 25 people with type 2 diabetes given two grams of spirulina per day.
The results showed a significant improvement in the previously mentioned markers.
In another study, people with high cholesterol who were taking one gram of spirulina per day were reported to have lowered triglycerides by 16.3% and LDL by 10.1%.
Several other studies confirm the finds listed by the two studies mentioned, but recommend higher doses of 4.5-8 grams of spirulina per day
Effective Against Anemia
There are many forms of anemia.
However, the most common one is characterized as follows: a condition in which there is a deficiency of red cells or of hemoglobin in the blood, causing weariness.
This condition is fairly common for the elderly and causes relentless fatigue and weakness.
In a study conducted on 40 elderly people previously or currently suffering from anemia, it was proven that spirulina supplementation improved and increased the hemoglobin content of red blood cells. Immune function was also improved.
Nevertheless, more research has to be conducted to back up these findings before any recommendations can be made.