What’s blue-green, spiral, protein-packed, and labeled pond scum? If you guessed spirulina, then you probably know this superfood possesses the potential to turn world hunger on its head. If you didn’t guess spirulina, then stay tuned. Let’s discover spirulina benefits together – this is one superfood you need to meet!
In this article, you’re going to learn about how spirulina, a blue-green algae that lies atop many a pond and lake, offers health benefits extraordinaire. Whether you suffer from high cholesterol to female problems, spirulina’s an age-old superfood that the modern world has only begun to appreciate.
This isn’t medical advice. Seek your physician for that.
Top 9 Health Benefits of Spirulina
1. Spirulina Benefits Nourishment
Long before health supplements were conceived, ancient peoples lived quite simply on the richness of creation’s bounty. Nowhere were people more creative in acquiring this bounty than in the Aztec cities like Tenochtitlan. In his writings, Cortes told about this blue-green algae the Aztecs consumed with gusto:
“They make it into cakes like bricks, which they sell, not only in the market [at Tenochtitlan] but carry it to others outside the city, and far off. They eat this as we eat cheese, and it has rather a salty taste, which is delicious with chilmolli [a spicy sauce]. They say that so many birds come to the lake for this food, that often in winter some parts are covered with them.”
Even now, the Mexican source, Lake Texcoco, provides plentiful spirulina. Other great sources include Hawaii and Lake Chad in Africa. Spirulina remains a great source of sustenance for hungry peoples today. In 1974, the United Nations Food Conference crowned spirulina “the best food for the future” due to its ability to provide as much protein per acre as beef could provide on 100 acres of pasture!
2. Spirulina Prevents Anemia
Secondly, as a nourishing superfood, it’s no surprise that spirulina packs a mean punch against the ravages of anemia. Particularly for women of childbearing age and seniors, it’s vital that spirulina’s benefits be broadcast far and wide. Studies have shown that spirulina’s iron levels and absorbability rival that of beef.
This high iron level means that spirulina also treats other conditions that mirror anemia. Furthermore, HIV, insomnia, restless leg syndrome, compromised immune systems, and irregular blood clotting can all be treated with spirulina. It’s an unsung hero as an inexpensive remedy without all the dangerous side effects of pharmaceuticals.
3. Spirulina Benefits Blood Sugar Control
Although more research needs to be conducted, preliminary research suggests that spirulina can have a significant effect on blood sugar, according to Indian researchers. A group of 25 patients consumed 2g of spirulina a day throughout the testing period. Those taking spirulina saw a reduction in fasting blood glucose concentrations over those taking a placebo. Furthermore, glycosylated hemoglobin levels were also lower for those taking spirulina.
Others ways spirulina can benefit those with type 2 diabetes include:
- Improving vasodilation for certain obese patients;
- Lowering systemic inflammation;
- Increasing HDL and lowering serum triclyerides.
While this is a relatively new direction for spirulina research, it’s a promising one for those with type 2 diabetes.
4. Spirulina Benefits Heart Health
Working hand-in-glove with the above diabetic issues, spirulina’s benefits to the cardiovascular system are many. By strengthening the blood, preventing clotting, increasing vascular elasticity, lowering blood pressure, and enhancing lipids ratios, spirulina offers untold benefits to heart health.
In a day and age when most people rely on a medicine cabinet full of specialized drugs for particular body systems, supplements like spirulina, which improve the function of the body as a whole, offer a fresh understanding of how interconnected the body systems really are. Improve one, and reasonably, others should also improve. Spirulina, which offers none of the side effects to other systems that are listed after each pharmaceutical commercial, deserves careful study by anyone seeking alternative means to improving healthfulness.
5. Spirulina Is Nutrient-Dense
Hailed by many as “creation’s most perfect food,” spirulina’s laden with more nutrients than most people have even heard of. Here are a few of them:
60% protein (as compared to 27% protein in red meat);
- Rich in iodine;
- Metallo-thionine compounds, which bind heavy radioactive isotopes;
- Calcium;
- Zinc;
- Iron;
- Selenium;
- Magnesium;
- Manganese;
- Potassium;
- Vitamin K1;
- Vitamin K2;
- Gamma-linolenic acid (GLA);
- Other essential fatty acids;
- Unusually high in vitamin B-12;
- Chlorophyll;
- Phycocyanin;
- Carotenoids/Vitamin A;
- Highly digestible proteins;
- Vitamin E (tocopherol).
With 2800% more beta-carotene than carrots, 280% more anti-oxidants than blueberries, 3900% more iron than spinach, and 600% more protein than tofu, it’s easy to see why so many people regard spirulina a queen of the superfoods.
6. Spirulina Benefits Allergy Treatment
According to a twelve-week study performed by the University of South Carolina’s School of Medicine, allergy sufferers taking 2000 mg of spirulina daily saw marked improvement in their allergy symptoms over those taking a placebo and those taking only 1000 mg of spirulina daily. So, this suggests that quantity is important for those deciding to use spirulina.
Since spirulina has a very strong, salty algae taste, some people might want to avoid it. Therefore, it’s a good idea to purchase spirulina in capsule form if you don’t think you can tolerate it.
7. Spirulina Benefits Detoxification
Thanks to its chlorella content, spirulina can bind heavy metals and pollutants from your body. Furthermore, thanks to its alkalizing nature, it simultaneously supports the liver as it works to cleanse the body from these harmful substances.
When choosing a spirulina brand, make sure you’re purchasing from a region where spirulina hasn’t been treated with chemicals or mixed with nitrates, so you can avoid introducing pollutants through the remedy itself!
8. Spirulina Benefits Muscles and Endurance
Spirulina enhances the ability of your muscles to endure fatigue and stress. For athletes, it’s a great way to naturally boost stamina without resorting to unproven chemicals that may prove harmful down the road. Furthermore, since spirulina is so beneficial to so many body systems, athletes can use spirulina without fear of endangering their health.
9. Spirulina Prevents Cancer
Another powerful reason to use spirulina is its ability to prevent cancer. Since it’s chock-full of antioxidants, spirulina helps reduce pre-cancer profiles.
In one study, 87 people with pre-cancerous oral lesions took spirulina daily over the course of one year. At the end of just one month, 45% of those using spirulina saw their lesions completely regress. For those not taking spirulina, only 7% saw regression. Lastly, other several studies concur that spirulina is a powerful cancer fighter.
Summing Up
As you can see, spirulina surpasses pharmaceuticals like raw honey surpasses high fructose corn syrup. It’s a forgotten age-old miracle that has the potential to revolutionize modern health care. How do you plan to use spirulina in your health regimen? Let us know in the comments.
