Spirulina is a superfood which is a natural health supplement made from a fresh water plant. It is excellent for improving your overall health, and it is also helpful for controlling your appetite if you take it 30 minutes before your meals. It contains 300 percent more protein than meat, so it is particularly nutritious for vegans and vegetarians. It has 58x the amount of iron as spinach. It is high in antioxidants and 25x higher in beta-carotene than carrots. It is rich in calcium, magnesium, potassium, and B vitamins. It is known as a “miracle from the sea.” This healthy supplement is a type of micro algae which is blue- green in colour, and is native to oceans, and salty lakes in subtropical climates. The Mexican Aztecs in the 16th century were the first people to discover it and they incorporated it into their diets.
Spirulina has been recommended by nutritionists and health conscious people as a treatment for many debilitating health conditions such as; diabetes, high cholesterol, mental and emotional disorders; including anxiety, stress, depression, attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)Lou Gehrig’s disease and premenstrual tension. However, the National Institute for Health has said that there is not enough scientific proof to confirm this. Although it does acknowledge how nutritious Spirulina is.
A 2010 study published in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise investigated the effects of nine male runners over the period of four weeks. The study concluded that they showed a significant increase in stamina and exercise performance after taking Spirulina at the end of the four weeks. A 2008 study from the Annals of Nutrition Medicine showed that Spirulina has had beneficial results in reducing cholesterol. 78 adults aged 60 to 87 were given 8 grams of spirulina supplements for a period of just over two weeks. At the end of the experiment their cholesterol had been successfully reduced.
Another study of 52 people aged 37 to 61 were given 1 gram of the supplement once a day, for just under three months. At the end of this time they were found to have average triglycerides and a reduction in LDL’s. According to the Journal of Cardiovascular Therapeutics, due to its antioxidant agents, Spirulina may help to prevent heart disease.
Doctors believe that Spirulina is generally a safe supplement to take because it is a food. However pregnant or breast feeding women should be careful about consuming it, as not enough research has been done to conclude that it is safe for them. People who are on warfarin or have Multiple Sclerosis or Lupus should also avoid taking it.
Spirulina is absorbed more easily than synthetic multivitamin supplements. As with all health supplements it is best to consult a pharmacist or a doctor before taking it, if you have a health condition, or are on medication.
