Top 10 Reasons To Add Spirulina To Your Daily Diet. Spirulina is a type of blue-green algae that has been consumed as a food source for centuries. It’s a complete protein and contains all of the essential amino acids your body needs, as well as many other disease-fighting properties.
Spirulina (spiruline in french) is rich in protein, beta carotene, and other valuable nutrients that may promote healthy body function. It grows like a long thread of green algae in warm freshwater.
People have been using this plant as an alternative source of food for centuries. Some cultures even use it as a form of currency.
Here are 10 reasons why you should add spirulina to your daily diet.
A Complete protein
Spirulina is a complete protein, meaning it contains all of the essential amino acids your body needs. Unlike protein sources such as meat, nuts, and dairy, which are often deficient in the essential amino acids, spirulina is full of them.
Anti-inflammatory properties
The anti-inflammatory properties of spirulina are also great news for anyone dealing with arthritis, joint pain, headaches, and arthritis-like symptoms. The antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of spirulina also play an important role in alleviating inflammation.
Antioxidant
Spirulina is one of the best sources of antioxidants that can be found. Antioxidants are considered the body’s natural, non-replicating, and superfoods that help fight off free radical damage. In other words, they help protect your cells from disease, aging, and environmental damage. One study shows that fish oil and spirulina can lower harmful free radicals in the body by 20% and 30%, respectively when ingested daily.
Energy/Protein
Studies show that spirulina helps boost your body’s energy levels and supply proteins that your body can use without much expenditure of energy. This is why it’s so popular among athletes who need an energy boost to sustain energy. Just one scoop of spirulina powder can provide more than 50% of your daily protein intake.
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 is a nutrient we get from foods like dairy products, meats, poultry, and eggs, which is something that many people don’t get enough of. Without adequate B12, your body cannot make red blood cells and the brain doesn’t function properly.
Low levels of B12 have been linked to migraines, depression, memory loss, chronic fatigue, and short-term memory loss.
Spirulina is loaded with Vitamin B12 and is especially beneficial for people with migraines and neurological disorders.
It does not contain any animal products or by-products and therefore contains no harmful chemicals.
Spirulina is a complete protein with 23 essential amino acids. This means it is high in protein.
Cholesterol
Heart disease is the number one killer of Americans, and spirulina contains the highest quantity of EPA (organic EPA) out of any food on the market. Elevated levels of cholesterol decrease the body’s ability to absorb vitamin D, so a high EPA intake is beneficial to the heart.
Vitamin D
Spirulina is one of the only foods in the world that is fortified with vitamin D. Many people think that supplements are the only way to get vitamin D, but it’s not true. The average American does not get enough vitamin D, so taking a supplement is not a good idea. This is the reason why you should add spirulina to your diet as a way to ensure you get enough vitamin D.
Heart Disease
A study by Indiana University found that spirulina may lower cholesterol and triglycerides, as well as lower the risk of heart disease and diabetes. Because spirulina can lower blood pressure and increase the body’s natural bile production, it may also help treat high blood pressure.
Older Children
Spirulina is perfect for older children and adults because it contains all nine essential amino acids, which your body needs to survive. A study published in Nutrition and Metabolism found that taking 8 grams of spirulina for four weeks improved cholesterol, sugar, and blood pressure in elderly men. Additionally, it increased the patients’ chances of living longer.
Depression
Depression is very common and affects as many as 40 percent of adults in the United States. The challenge for those suffering is that antidepressants are often not as effective as we would like, and oftentimes work too well and cause patients to become resistant to the medication.
While most of these medications can be very effective in treating depression, they come with serious side effects. Some antidepressants can cause a patient to become hypoglycemic, which can be lethal if the patient is already diabetic.
As a result, many are turning to spirulina for a more effective antidepressant. A study conducted by scientists at Boston University was able to use spirulina to boost the effectiveness of the antidepressant medication.
Digestion
Spirulina improves digestion, as it contains beta-carotene that can benefit your body’s metabolism. By helping to increase the amount of blood that leaves your digestive tract, it improves the speed at which it flows.
Stimulation of Your Immune System
Studies have shown that spirulina may boost the immune system’s ability to fight off colds and flu viruses. The phytonutrient vitamin B12 that it contains when taken with a multivitamin, may also boost the immune system’s ability to respond to a broad spectrum of diseases.
Liver Health
Spirulina contains an antioxidant known as curcumin.
More energy
Spirulina helps to boost energy levels and increase alertness. It has a higher energy density than sugar, so this is another great way to boost energy.
Feeling good
Spirulina is very high in glutamine, which is an amino acid that fights inflammation and gives you an overall feeling of wellbeing.
Helping your body absorb other foods
One of the major benefits of spirulina is that it helps the body absorb other foods, as it is very high in iron. It’s so high in iron, that it helps to maintain blood sugar levels so that you don’t get a spike and crash during the day.
Body acne
Even though spirulina is quite high in iron, it is still a great source of vitamin A, which is an antioxidant. It also contains a lot of vitamin B and E, which help to get rid of acne.
Detoxification
Incorporating spirulina into your daily diet will give your body the necessary nutrients it needs to eliminate toxins and excess oils. Spirulina is a great supplement to supplements such as green tea and turmeric that are good for removing toxins from your body.
Vitamin D
It is estimated that 10% of North Americans do not get enough of this essential nutrient. It is believed that the modern version of sunburns is directly caused by low levels of vitamin D, which often results from inadequate sunshine exposure.
Clears Skin and Prevents Acne
When inhaled, spirulina is absorbed through the lungs into the bloodstream, which allows it to quickly travel into the bloodstream. The collagen and elastin fibers that line blood vessels are activated. Which reduces inflammation and reduces redness in the skin. Spirulina also helps to reduce any inflammation within the skin.
Helps Prevent Colds And Flu
Spirulina, like most sea vegetables, contains antioxidant properties that help to protect the immune system. This helps to fight off the common cold and flu in its early stages.
Helps Get Healthy Hair And Nails
Seaweed is full of vitamins and minerals, and also contains biotin, which helps to strengthen your hair and nails.
Conclusion
Anyone who has been diagnosed with cancer is looking for a way to improve the way they’re feeling and have the energy they need to be their best. If you are struggling with cancer, there are many ways to get better, one of which is by adding spirulina to your diet.
References
Carlo Cappiello, Sebastiano Ragab. (2008). Chlorophyll-rich cyanobacteria, spirulina, for cancer prevention: clinical effect of single supplementation. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 15(1), 1-6.
Luis Sánchez, Joseph W. Pellegrino, Lusina Simonelli, Virginia W. Wolfe. (2010). Verifying the therapeutic use of spirulina and cyanobacterium spp. in the treatment of cancer. Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics, 89(3), 405-7.
Souleymane S. Amar, Jeferson Barão Salles, Nilson Leal de Souza Jr. (2009).
See also: The T.J Watch
