Spirulina
Richest Food On Earth.
(Spirulina
platensis or Arthrospira platensis)
Benefits of
Spirulina: Highest source of plant protein, builds immunity, improves
haemoglobin level, provides energy,makes heart healthy.
Spirulina is being developed as the "food of the
future" because of its amazing ability to synthesize high-quality
concentrated food more efficiently than any other algae. Most notably,
Spirulina is 65 to 71 percent complete protein, with all essential amino
acids in perfect balance. In comparison, beef is only 22 percent protein.
Spirulina
Facts:
Botanical
Name : : Spirulina platensis or Arthrospira platensis
Family Name: : COMBRETACEAE
Common Name: : Spirulina
It is a planktonic blue-green algae found in warm water alkaline volcanic
lakes. Spirulina is single celled and is about 0.5 millimeters in length. It
possesses an amazing ability to thrive in conditions much too harsh for other
algae. This ability of Spirulina to grow in hot and alkaline environments
ensures its hygienic status, as no other organisms can survive to pollute the
waters in which this algae thrives. Spirulina is in fact one of the cleanest,
most naturally sterile foods found in nature. Its adaptation to heat also
assures that Spirulina retains its nutritional value when subject to high
temperatures during processing and shelf storage, unlike many plant foods that
rapidly deteriorate at high temperatures.
Spirulina does not have hard cellulose membranes like plant cells or a well
defined nucleus yet its metabolic system is based on photosynthesis and in fact
has a photosynthetic conversion rate of 8 to 10 percent, compared to only 3
percent in such land-growing plants as soybeans.
Spirulina has 60% protein content, which is
more than meat or anything, and hence is great for bodybuilding. Spirulina is
also an excellent source of vitamins and minerals.
Spirulina is
being developed as the "food of the future" because of its amazing
ability to synthesize high-quality concentrated food more efficiently than any
other algae Since the ancient times, it has been mankind's most powerful source
of nutrition. Spirulina provides protein, iron, vitamins, minerals and most of
the essential micro-nutrients, many of which you may miss in your diet due to
irregular eating habits, hectic lifestyle or lack of proper dietary knowledge.
Benefits
of Spirulina
- Spirulina builds immunity
- Spirulina maintains a healthy
heart
- Spirulina promotes healthy skin
- Spirulina supports normal
haemoglobin level in blood
- Spirulina helps fight daily
fatigue and stress
- Spirulina keeps you active and
energetic
- Spirulina promotes normal blood
pressure levels and water balance
- Spirulina supports normal blood
glucose levels
Benefits
of Spirulina for children and young adults
· Spirulina
is the richest source of protein and provides 18 out of 22 amino acids that the
body needs for normal growth and development.
· Spirulina
through its range of B- Vitamins strengthens the immune system and builds
resistance against diseases. The natural beta carotene (pro Vitamin A) in
· Spirulina
helps maintain normal and healthy eyesight.
· Spirulina
provides iron in a form that is easily absorbed. It helps maintain an optimum
level of haemoglobin in the blood.
Benefits
of Spirulina for adults
· Spirulina
is the best natural source for antioxidants like carotenoids, vitamin E, zinc
and selenium, that help fight against free radicals, and also slow down the
ageing process.
· Spirulina
being the richest vegetarian source of vitamin B-12 helps reduce physical and
mental stress.
Benefits
of Spirulina for Seniors
· GLA in Spirulina promotes normal cholesterol levels, keeps the
heart healthy and reduces age related effects. It also balances the various
hormonal functions to improve energy utilization and all-round health.
Medical conditions supported by Spirulina
Convalescing people with a disease or deficiency who, need
additional nutritional supplementation, to support early recovery or to build
lost immunity.
|
Spirulina promotes health
in many ways. It powerfully protects from oxidant stress and strongly supports
the immune system and a healthy inflammatory response.
Scientific studies suggest
it may be especially good for the brain, heart, immune system and more; so you
can meet life“s challenges..
COMPARATIVE
NUTRITIONAL VALUES
PROTEIN
CONTENT (g per 100g)
|
Eggs
Milk
Soyabean
Pulses (Black Gram)
Spirulina
|
13.3
4.3
43.2
24.0
55.0
|
BETA-CAROTENE
(mcg per 100g)
|
Carrots
Spinach
Mango
Spirulina
|
1890
5580
2740
190000
|
VITAMIN
B-12 (mcg per 100g)
|
Milk
Spirulina
|
0.60
5
|
IRON (mg
per 100g)
|
Soyabean
Spinach
Spirulina
|
11.5
10.9
32
|
*Source : National Institute of
Nutrition (1980) Nutritive Value of Indian Foods.
Spirulina VS other Vitamins sources
|
Vitamin
|
Spirulina (6g)
|
Other Source
|
Possible problems
resulting from insufficient Vitamins
|
Beta-Carotene
Pro-Vitamin A
|
12mg
|
28 bottle of
milk
550 pcs
apples
|
Infections,
Lack of smell sense Acne, Dermatitis, Eczema
|
B1
|
0.24mg
|
16 pcs
Sardines
8 bowls of
rice
|
Insomnia,
Muscle pain, Memory impairment Acne, Eczema, Reduced immune resistance, Heart
problems.
|
B2
|
0.24mg
|
4 whole
potatoes
|
Cataracts,
Deteriorated vision, Insomnia, Stomatitis, Rough and dry skin, Growth
retardation, Eczema, Vaginal itching
|
B3
|
1.02mg
|
8 pcs lemons
|
Nervousness,
Dermatitis.
|
B6
|
43.2ug
|
90g bread
4 pcs
Asparagus
|
Heart
diseases,
Insomnia,
Stomatitis,
Rough and dry
skin, Nervousness, Eczema, Dermatitis.
|
B12
|
7.2ug
|
4 pcs eel
240g cheese
|
Pernicious
Anemia,
Ageing fatigue,
Menstruation
problems
|
Typical analysis of Spirulina per 100g
|
Protein
|
60 - 63%
|
3 times higher than fish, beef or pork;
6 times higher than eggs;
2 times higher than soybeans
|
Minerals
|
7-13 %
|
Including Calcium, Potassium,
Magnesium,
Zinc and Phosphorus
|
Fibre
|
8-10 %
|
4 times higher than flour and corn
|
Vitamin B12
|
0.2 – 0.3mg
|
3-4 times higher than animal liver
|
Beta Carotene
|
140 – 330mg
|
5 times higher than carrots, 40 times higher than Spinach
|
Carbohydrate
|
15-25%
|
Adequate quantity is available
|
Lipid
|
6-8%
|
Meager amount of lipid content
|
Chlorophyll
|
1000 – 2000mg
|
More than 20 times higher than wheatgrass
|
Calcium
|
130mg
|
10 times higher than milk
|
Iron
|
33mg
|
65 times higher than spinach, 30 times
higher than beef, 5 times higher than soybeans
|
-- Is it safe to consume
Spirulina?
* The World Health
Organization (WHO) of the UN has recommended Spirulina as safe and nutritious
for children
* IIMSAM to encourage Spirulina to combat Swine Flu
* NASA considers Spirulina an ideal food to have/grow on space stations
* In 1974 United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) announced Spirulina as the
BEST FOOD FOR TOMORROW. In 1981 FDA announced as the "BEST
NUTRITIONAL SUPPLIMENT"
* In 1983 Spirulina won the "BEST NATURAL FOOD AWARD" at West Germany
Food Exposition.
Spirulina
Research and Clinical Studies
CANCER
Several
studies show Spirulina or its extracts can prevent or inhibit cancers in humans
and animals. Some common forms of cancer are thought to be a result of damaged
cell DNA running amok, causing uncontrolled cell growth. Cellular biologists
have defined a system of special enzymes called Endonuclease which repair
damaged DNA to keep cells alive and healthy. When these enzymes are deactivated
by radiation or toxins, errors in DNA go unrepaired and, cancer may develop. In
vitro studies suggest the unique polysaccharides of Spirulina enhance cell
nucleus enzyme activity and DNA repair synthesis. This may be why several
scientific studies, observing human tobacco users and experimental cancers in
animals, report high levels of suppression of several important types of
cancer. The subjects were fed either whole Spirulina or treated with its water
HIV
In April 1996, scientists from the Laboratory of Viral Pathogenesis,
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard
Medical School,
Boston, Massachusetts,
and Earthrise Farms, Calipatria,
California, announced on-going
research, saying "Water extract of Spirulina platensis inhibits HIV-1
replication in human derived T-cell lines and in human peripheral blood
mononuclear cells. A concentration of 5-10 µg/ml was found to reduce viral
production" Ayehunie S., Belay A., Hu Y., Baba T., Ruprecht R., 7th
IAAA Conference, Knysna, South Africa April 17, 1996. Inhibition of HIV-1
replication by an aqueous extract of Spirulina platensis (Arthrospira
platensis).
RADIATION AND ANEMIA
Spirulina is approved in Russia
as a "medicine food" for treating radiation sickness. The Children of
Chernobyl
suffer radiation poisoning from eating food grown on radioactive soil. Their
bone marrow is damaged, rendering them immunodeficient. Radiation damaged bone
marrow cannot produce normal red or white blood cells. The children are anemic
and suffer from terrible allergic reactions. Children fed just five grams of
Spirulina in tablets each day make dramatic recoveries within six weeks.
Children who did not take Spirulina remained ill Evets L.B. et al Grodenski
State Medical University, January 15, 1994 Russian Federation Committee of
Patents and Trade, Patent Number: (19) RU (11) 2005486 C1 (51) 5 A 61K35/80.
Means to Normalize the levels of Immunoglobulin E Using the Food Supplement
Spirulina.