SPIRULINA - RICHEST FOOD ON EARTH

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

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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).

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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.