Facts about spirulina

Spirulina is a progeny of the first photosynthetic life. Created by nature 3.6 billion years ago, it is a type of Cyanobacteria. It is microscopic, photosynthetic, filamentous, spiral-shaped algae. 

The algae is dark-blue in color due to the pigment called phycocyanin. That compound is a powerful antioxidant with anti-inflammatory properties. It may help to reduce allergy symptoms, detoxify, and boost the immune system. Ancient Aztecs consumed spirulina because of its beneficial qualities. 

Its habitat is brackish or alkaline water. The algae may double its biomass every 2–5 days in a natural environment. 

Interestingly, very few microorganisms are capable of surviving in such extreme conditions in which spirulina develops.

The World Health Organization (WHO) called it a ‘Food of the Future’ because of its high protein content and rapid growth. Moreover, it is also called a ‘superfood’ or ‘wonder food’. Some published scientific studies reveal how it boosts the immune system and improves health. Its impressive protein content and rapid growth have attracted the attention of both researchers and industrialists.

In Russia spirulina is approved as ‘medicine food’ for treating radiation-induced effects. NASA considered ‘the best food’ for space travel, as its small quantity contains a range of nutrients. Today NASA is studying the benefits of spirulina to incorporate it in the diet of astronauts as it is seen as a nutrient-dense powerhouse. 

Spirulina composition

No one has a doubt about the mother’s milk benefits & power due to its nutritional factors. It has always been considered the world’s “perfect food”. The mother´s milk is rich and well-balanced. This same rich nutrient profile is shared by spirulina algae.

Both are rich with Omega 3 and GLA fatty acids which are critical for brain health and growth. Both contain essential vitamins and minerals. Breast milk and spirulina have the highest known concentration of protein. The proteins consist of amino acids. Out of 22 amino acids present in the spirulina protein, 8 are considered essential. Remarkably, both spirulina and breast milk proteins have 17 amino acids in common. 

Spirulina is rich in:

• macronutrients (K, Na, Mg, Ca, P, trace minerals), 
• micronutrients (Se, Fe, Mn, Со, Сu, Zn, Мо, Ni), 
• vitamins (vitamins Е and В-12, beta carotene), 
• essential fatty acids (gamma-linoleic acid, palmitic acid, linoleic acid, oleic acid),
• pigments like phycocyanin, chlorophyll, carotenoids,
• polysaccharides (rhamnose and glycogen),
• glycolipids and sulfolipids,
• enzymes (SOD responsible for quenching free radicals)

Spirulina benefits

For a long time, the supplement is studied as a “soldier” in fighting virus hunger and malnutrition. 

For example, the spirulina at a dose of 10 gm per day improved nutrition and increased the corpuscular hemoglobin and hematocrit levels in malnourished children in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The studies with 56 HIV infected patients who took spirulina for 12 weeks have shown improvement in body weight and mass index (Matondo et al., 2016).

The composition of spirulina is beneficial as it:

•  reduces cholesterol and improves your heart health,
•  protects your brain, memory, and nervous system,
•  boosts your energy level and prevents sugar spikes,
•  improves your liver function and makes your bones stronger,
•  makes your skin look healthier and clearer,
•  reduces allergy symptoms,
•  detoxify,
•  boosts your immune system,

Spirulina has a very peculiar taste and when consumed in powder it might not be the taste many people would like, but it can be avoided by taking it as capsules. Spirulina in capsules of 500mg is a supplement produced by the VITAMIR brand. Contact your GP for recommendations and prescriptions as it can cause allergic reactions & has minor side effects.