What is Spirulina?
Spirulina is a blue-green micro algae with several variations of the same species: Spirulina platensis, Spirulina maxima and Spirulina fusiformis. Spirulina is a widely known and accepted ‘super food’ that has been used by many civilizations for hundreds of years, and currently marketed and consumed in over 70 countries worldwide. Spirulina has been notified as Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and has unrivaled nutritional value being composed of: proteins, calcium, magnesium, iron, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, manganese, zinc, vitamins B1 (thiamin), B2 (riboflavin), B3 (niacin), B6, B12, K, C and E amongst others ([i]).
The many benefits of Spirulina
1. Spirulina provides excellent nutrition value.
Because Spirulina is high in protein content, vitamins, macro minerals, micro minerals and amino acids, it is considered a nutritionally complete supplement ([ii]). Studies have shown successful nutritional rehabilitation of undernourished children, using Spirulina ([iii]). Spirulina was used to correct anemia and weight loss in undernourished HIV-infected and HIV-negative children.
2. Spirulina provides excellent antioxidant properties.
Antioxidants are important in preventing oxidation, which can produce free radicals that may damage human DNA and cells. Spirulina contains phycocyanin, which is the main source of its antioxidant activity ([iv]) and has been proven to reduce oxidative stress in cells of various organs in the body ([v], [vi], [vii], [viii]).
3. Spirulina helps in fitness.
Studies have shown that Spirulina consumption not only improves body mass index (BMI) and weight loss, but also improves blood pressure in overweight persons with hypertension ([ix]). It also functions to reduce total cholesterol and triglycerides ([x]), increases fat oxidation, and resulted in a significant increase in exercise performance endurance in one study ([xi]).
4. Spirulina aids in disease prevention and treatment.
Two separate studies involving the use of Spirulina have demonstrated its anti-cancer activity. Both studies have suggested Spirulina’s chemo preventative potential may be useful as a natural anti-cancer agent ([xii], [xiii]). Spirulina has also been used successfully in the inhibition of antiviral activity against herpes simplex virus 1 and 2, and has been suggested for potential clinical use in the prophylactic treatment of herpes ([xiv], [xv]). As a nutritional dietary supplement, Spirulina boosts the immune system and improves insulin sensitivity in persons infected with HIV in two separate studies ([xvi], [xvii]).
5. Spirulina helps in detoxification of the body.
Exposure to toxic chemicals in our water, food and air is an unavoidable daily occurrence. Spirulina has phytonutrients, which help to constantly detoxify the body. In experimental poisonings from arsenic, cadmium, carbon tetrachloride, deltamethrin, fluoride, hexachlorocyclohexane, iron, lead, lindane, and mercury; Spirulina was found to be effective in counteracting the toxic effects of these pollutants on the exposed organisms ([xviii]). Spirulina was also found to be useful in the treatment of chronic arsenic poisonings in a patient study ([xix]).
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References:
[i] GRAS Notification for Spirulina Microalgae
http://www.fda.gov/downloads/Food/IngredientsPackagingLabeling/GRAS/NoticeInventory/ucm265861.pdf
[ii] Nutritional and therapeutic potential of Spirulina
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16248810
[iii] Nutrition rehabilitation of HIV-infected and HIV-negative undernourished children utilizing Spirulina
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16219988
[iv] Antioxidant activity of different fractions of Spirulina platensis protean extract
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11482785
[v] Neuroprotective effect of Arthrospira (Spirulina) platensis against kainic acid-neuronal death
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2679965
[vi] Antioxidant potential of selected Spirulina platensis preparations
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18398928
[vii] C-Phycocyanin protects against acute tributyltin chloride neurotoxicity by modulating glial cell activity along with its anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory property: A comparative efficacy evaluation with N-acetyl cysteine in adult rat brain
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26079211
[viii] Phycocyanin and phycocyanobilin from Spirulina platensis protect against diabetic nephropathy by inhibiting oxidative stress
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23115122
[ix] Effects of Spirulina consumption on body weight, blood pressure, and endothelial function in overweight hypertensive Caucasians: a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26813468
[x] A systematic review and meta-analysis of the impact of Spirulina supplementation on plasma lipid concentrations
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26433766
[xi] Ergogenic and antioxidant effects of Spirulina supplementation in humans
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20010119
[xii] Evaluation of chemoprevention of oral cancer with Spirulina fusiformis
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8584455
[xiii] The effect of ultrasonificated extracts of Spirulina maxima on the anticancer activity
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20405153
[xiv] Antiviral activity of Spirulina maxima against herpes simplex virus type 2
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12406511
[xv] Calcium spirulan derived from Spirulina platensis inhibits herpes simplex virus 1 attachment to human keratinocytes and protects against herpes labialis
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26341274
[xvi] The effect of Spirulina platensis versus soybean on insulin resistance in HIV-infected patients: a randomized pilot study
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22254118
[xvii] Impact of daily supplementation of Spirulina platensis on the immune system of naïve HIV-1 patients in Cameroon: a 12-months single blind, randomized, multicenter trial
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26195001
[xviii] Preclinical antitoxic properties of Spirulina (Arthrospira)
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26439611
[xix] Efficacy of Spirulina extract plus zinc in patients of chronic arsenic poisoning: a randomized placebo-controlled study
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16615668
