Introduction
Spirulina is blue – green algae, and gets its name due to its spiral
shape. It is a simple, one-celled form of algae that thrive in warm,
alkaline fresh-water bodies. It is a complete protein that contains all essential amino acids, and also contains the most remarkable concentration of nutrients known in any food, plant, grain or herb.
Ingredient: What does Spirulina contain?
It is full of life-giving nutrients such as protein, beta carotene,
chlorophyll, vitamin B complex, minerals, essential fatty acids, and
other important nutrients that our body needs. In addition, Spirulina is
one of the few plant sources of vitamin B12, usually found only in
animal tissues.
It is the highest protein food- over 60% all digestible vegetable
protein. Spirulina is loaded with unique phytonutrients like
phycocyanin, polysaccharides, and sulfolipids that enhance the immune
system to prevent diseases.
It is rich in natural carotenoid and antioxidants that promote
cellular health and reduce the risk of cancer. It has chlorophyll which
helps detoxify our bodies of ever present pollution. It also contains
iron, trace minerals, and the rare essential fatty acid.
Spirulina is an alkaline food
Spirulina is also known as one of the best alkaline food, which helps
to change weak acidic body condition to a healthy alkaline one. Acidic
body results in gastric pain, ulcers, reflex, and heartburn. It’s a
great balancer for any diet filled with acidic foods like sugar, coffee,
soda, alcohol, or meat. A balanced system will strengthen your health
and increase your resistance to disease.
Spirulina and the human body
Spirulina contains all the nutrients that the human body needs. A
deficiency of any of these nutrients would compromise the proper
functioning of our body. Scientists around the world – in Japan, China,
India, Europe, Russia, and the USA – are discovering the importance of
Spirulina, how and why Spirulina is so effective for humans’ health.
Hundreds of published scientific studies reveal how Spirulina boosts the
immune system and improves health.
Spirulina and cholesterol
Studies have shown that Spirulina contribute to the lowering of
cholesterol and an improvement in heart artery function for lowering of
blood pressure. Published scientific studies with men in Japan and India
have shown several grams of Spirulina daily can lower cholesterol.
These studies suggest Spirulina will reduce serum LDL (Low Density
Lipoproteins – the bad cholesterol) and raise HDL (High Density
Lipoproteins – the good cholesterol).
Human studies in Germany and India also found a weight reduction
effect along with cholesterol reduction. All these studies indicate
Spirulina is a useful supplement for cardiovascular health and for
lowering cholesterol. Owing to the amino acids contained in Spirulina,
they help to suppress hunger and increase metabolism.
Spirulina and the digestive system
Enzymes in our bodies digest our food, cut, paste, and repair our DNA
and power our critical body systems. It’s always good to enhance our
diet with raw foods like fresh fruit, vegetables, and juices, which are
all rich in natural living enzymes. Spirulina has building blocks such
as minerals, phytonutrients, antioxidants, and polysaccharides that
trigger our bodies’ enzyme systems to flourish and perform their many
tasks.
Chlorophyll in Spirulina helps to sanitize the bowel by detoxifying
and cleansing the colon and intestines. In addition, the chlorophyll
helps coat the irritable stomach lining, thus aiding the relieve
symptoms of gastric ulcers and inhibit ulceration. Spirulina reduces
digestion and constipation problems caused by pathogens like E-coli and
Candida.
Spirulina and the immune system
Spirulina is a powerful tonic for the immune system. The
phytonutrients responsible for strengthening our immune system are beta
carotene, phycocyanin, and polysaccharides. Published studies from all
over the world confirm that Spirulina improves immune system function.
Medical scientists discovered that it not only stimulates the immune
system, it actually enhances the body’s ability to generate new blood
cells. Important parts of the immune system, bone marrow stem cells,
macrophages, T-cells and natural killer cells, spleen and thymus glands –
all show enhanced activity. Scientists have observed that Spirulina
causes macrophages to increase in number, become activated, and be more
effective in killing germs.
Spirulina and GLA (Gamma Linolic Acid)
GLA is an essential fatty acid that provides numerous benefits to the
body. The presence of GLA makes Spirulina the super food. It is the
only food source, except for mother’s milk, that contains substantial
amounts of GLA, which helps regulate the entire hormone system. GLA is
the first immunity enhancer for the new born.
Research has confirmed that GLA has positive effects in breast cancer treatment. Several animal studies have shown that Spirulina inhibits tumor growth, thereby protecting the body from cancer propagation.
Spirulina and Omega-3
Spirulina is an original source of omega-3 fatty acids. Algae are
what small, bottom-feeding fish consume. These fish are then eaten by
larger ones, and then eventually by humans. Cold water fish, which are
well-known for their omega-3 fatty acids, owe their “omega-3 fame” to
the consumption algae such as Spirulina.Omega-3 reduces blood fat (triglycerides), curbs stiffness and joint pain (rheumatoid arthritis ), lowers levels of depression, and may help the depressive symptoms of bipolar disorder. Omega-3 is also important for visual and neurological development in infants, and lowers inflammation, a key component in asthma.
Spirulina and Malnutrition
Each day, around 40,000 children die because of severe malnutrition
and related diseases across the world. Malnutrition disempowers and
affects the lives of around 852 million people globally in a drastic
way. According to the United Nations World Health Organization (WHO:
1996), more than starvation the real challenge today is malnutrition-the
deficiency of micronutrients (vitamins, minerals and essential amino
acids)- that prevents the body from growing and maintaining its vital
functions.
Spirulina offers remarkable health benefits to an undernourished person. It is rich in beta carotene that can overcome eye problems caused by Vitamin A deficiency. The protein and B-vitamin complex makes a major nutritional improvement in an infant’s diet.
Spirulina and pregnant women
Proper nutrition during pregnancy and nursing is vital. Pregnant
women need protein and Spirulina provides protein with bioavailable
iron. The high absorption property of Spirulina makes it very suitable
and beneficial for high demand of fetus in pregnant women.
Spirulina and children
High mineral content of Spirulina (calcium and phosphorous for bone
formation and zinc for increase appetite and protein synthesis) makes it
suitable for the growth of children. There are countries like Mexico
that have official health regulation for infant food to contain 5% of
Spirulina to promote growth and health.
Spirulina and Anemia
Spirulina also helps with anemia because it contains easily
absorbable protein, iron, copper, vitamin B6, B12, E, and folic acid.
All these nutrients help in making blood. From most of the food, only
10%-25% of iron can be absorbed, whereas iron in Spirulina has an
absorption rate of 70%. In Japan, a clinical experiment among anemic
female patients showed a rise in hemoglobin from 10.9 g /dL to 13.2 g
/dL after 80 days of consuming Spirulina after meal.
Spirulina and skin
Spirulina is widely used in the cosmetic industry as well because it
improves endocrines’ function, reduces yellow or brown spots, acne,
elderly spots on the skin, and promotes hair growth. The high beta
carotene content in Spirulina also has a good antioxidant that helps
reduce aging effect.
No side effects
Spirulina is a natural product and will not normally cause any
problems to the body. Even if an excess of Spirulina is taken, it will
not cause harm to your body, but doing so is a waste. If you start
taking these nutrients when your body has lacked them, then your body
might react. This effect can be eliminated by reducing the dosage and
gradually increasing it so your body can build itself up. Spirulina is
not a medicine, but when used as a good source of supplementary food,
you can avoid nutrient deficiencies, which may cause illnesses.
Who should consume Spirulina?
- Children who don’t like or get enough vegetables or have an imbalanced food intake
- Teenagers during their rapid growing period need a sufficient dosage of nutrients
- Pregnant mothers who need extra nutrients
- Seniors who have difficulty in having an average 3 meals per day
- Sport lovers or athletes who need extra nutrients to keep their energy levels high
- Busy people who don’t have the time to eat nutritious meals
- Patients who need high volumes of nutrients to assist recovery
- Vegetarians who require extra nutrient sources
Consumption
It doesn’t matter if you take it once a day or twice a day, so long as you take enough for a day. Recommended dosage:
- Adults 8-12 per day (4 DXN Spirulina is 1 gm)
- Children 4-8 per day
- Pregnant women 20 per day
Important question: Why DXN Spirulina?
- DXN Spirulina has been accepted by all the countries in the world where it is being sold. All these certifications vouch for the safety and quality of DXN Spirulina. Few examples are Health Canada and TGA from Australia.
- The DXN Spirulina is organically grown and has no chemicals added in the manufacturing process.
- There are millions of people experiencing the benefits of consuming DXN Spirulina.
- DXN Spirulina has helped hundreds of night blind children get their vision back.
Recognition
- Spirulina was declared by United Nations World Food Conference of 1974 as the best food for the future.
- “For WHO, Spirulina represents an interesting food for multiple reasons, rich in iron and protein, and is able to be administered to children without any risk. We at WHO consider it a very suitable food”– United Nations World Health Organization (WHO), Geneva , Switzerland June 8th , 1993
References and Notes
1. Jane Yau has researched and written a detailed article in her blog,
2. University of Maryland Medical Center report http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/supplement/spirulina
3. Spirulina and fight against malnutrition, http://iimsam.org/en/
4. Total Wellness Consulting
6. http://www.webmd.com/healthy-aging/omega-3-fatty-acids-fact-sheet Collected site
