Spirulina Benefits...A True Superfood To Fight Disease

So what exactly is it? Quite simply it is a single-celled form of blue green algae. The spiral shape that it forms is where the name comes from.

It has been around for a very long time, possibly millions of years, but it is only now that spirulina is being called the superfood of the future. Why? It's all down to the exceptional nutritional content it possess.

So, why should we eat it?

Compared to a lot of other foods spirulina contains a much higher concentration of nutrients. Believe it or not, it is much higher in protein than meat, tofu, soybeans and eggs, and it is good protein too because it is considered to be more absorbable. So body-builders may want to try this.

Fact:- There are over 1000 species of aquatic blue-green plant algae on the earth and spirulina is one of them.

It can be found in South and Central America and Africa. The Spanish conquistadors found that the Aztec Indians were harvesting it from natural green lakes and ponds. Around Lake Chad in Africa spirulina is grown by the local tribes and it is still harvested today as a major part of their diet.

It can be grown in tanks in the western world but the natural stuff has far more nutrition. So it is worth looking for products that have been harvested from lakes and ponds in America or Africa.

Anyway what's it got to do with antioxidants?

Well lots!

It is considered to be one of the richest sources of beta carotene..that's the carotenoids... with a staggering level at least 25 times higher than that of carrots.



It is rich in trace minerals, vitamins, iron and is one of the highest food sources of vitamin B12.

It also contains Vitamins A and E along with amino acids. Also there are significant amounts of the gamma-linoleic acid known as GLA. This fatty acid, amongst other benefits, it is believed to promote cardiovascular health.

The chlorophyll (green pigment) along with the beta-carotene and gamma linolenic acid is easy to digest and helps to cleanse our bodies of pollutants and supports kidney and liver health.

It also contains phycocyanin (blue pigment) only found in blue-green algae. Japanese research indicates that phycocyanin may help build both white and red blood cells and inhibit the growth of cancer.

Studies also show that it will also help with cardiovascular health, it does this by lowering the levels of the bad (LDL) cholesterol and raising the levels of good (HDL) cholesterol. This along with it's possible ability to lower blood sugar levels make it essential and beneficial for diabetics and those suffering from insulin resistance and syndrome X.

There are also some unusual phytonutrients for health and cleansing that currently scientists are still studying..and these are spirulina's polysaccharides, calcium spirulan, sulfolipids & glycolipids for their health benefits. If we get more information on that we will document it in our exciting new Health Discoveries section.

Phew! Is there any more spirulina benefits? Well although there is still a lot to be discovered about this superfood current studies have proved exciting suggesting it may also help viruses such as...

• Influenza
• Measles
• Mumps
• Herpes

Spirulina can be purchased in supplement form and you should be able to easily locate it in your local health food shop and it is also available online where it's possible to buy in bulk powder, tablet or capsules from certain distributorships.

You may even have noticed it as an additional ingredient to many of the new green type drinks that are available on the market now.

Put it on your shopping list...truly a superfood!