Q1: What is Spirulina?
A: Spirulina is a blue-green spiral-formed alga, which thrives in warm alkaline waters. Through the natural process of photosynthesis, Spirulina contains all 8 essential amino acids, organic iron, vitamin B-12 and B-complex, beta carotene, antioxidants, chlorophyll and a high concentration of all-vegetable protein (approx. 60%). Spirulina is called a super food and it makes a great whole food alternative to isolated vitamin and minerals.
Q2: Is Spirulina safe for consumption?
A: Yes! Spirulina is quite safe and it has a long history of safe use include early African and Mexican aborigines. For the past 20 years, millions of people around the world have used it as a safe food supplement. Moreover, the United Nations and the World Health Organization recommend Spirulina as safe and particularly nutritious for children.
Q3: Is Spirulina one of the most productive foods in the world?
A: Yes, Spirulina has more nutrition per acre than any other food. Spirulina gives 20 times more protein per acre than soybeans, 200 times more than beef. By growing more Spirulina, we can help stop cutting the original forests to grow food. By bringing it into our personal lives, we can become part of the solution to improve the health of our planet-earth.
Q4: What do people say about Spirulina's health benefits?
A: Scientific theory explains the prime directive of our body's metabolism is to support our immune system. When our immune system is stressed or suffering, it draws on our body's metabolic energy. People with immune system imbalance often feel chronic fatigue and low energy. Both scientific research and the experience of thousands of people indicate Spirulina is an immune regulating food. Small amounts can help balance and stabilize the immune system, freeing up more of our metabolic energy for vitality, healing and assimilation of nutrients. It enhances the body cellular communication process and its ability to read and repair DNA, like a kind of cellular tune up. This is why people taking Spirulina often report they have more energy.
Q5: Is there any scientific evidence for all these claims?
A: In the last 50 years, scientists around the world in the USA, Taiwan, Europe, Japan, Russia, and China - have established the effectiveness of Spirulina for human and animal health. Hundreds of published scientific studies revealed how Spirulina and its unique phytonutrients boost the immune system and improve health.
Q6: How does Spirulina work in different ways to strengthen our health?
A: Scientific discoveries show that Spirulina benefits five of the following most important health issues:
- Preventing viral infections and boosting the immune system.
- Supporting cardiovascular health and lowering cholesterol.
- Improving gastrointestinal and digestive health.
- Enhancing natural cleansing and detoxification.
- Reducing cancer risks with better antioxidant protection.
Q7: How does Spirulina enhance cardiovascular health and help lower cholesterol?
A: Many people are taking dietary supplements to support a healthy heart and lower cholesterol. Scientists have been confirming this too. Some nutrition studies in Japan, Argentina, Mexico and India found taking Spirulina had the same cholesterol lowering benefits and an improvement in heart artery function for lower blood pressure. Published scientific studies in Japan and India showed that a regular in take of several grams of Spirulina can lower cholesterol. These studies suggest that Spirulina can reduce serum LDL (Low Density Lipoproteins - the bad cholesterol) and raise HDL (High Density Lipoproteins - the good cholesterol) Human studies in Germany and India 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
Q8: How does Spirulina improve gastrointestinal and digestive health?
A: When people take Spirulina they often notice immediate change in regularity and elimination. Research confirms it does promote digestion and bowel function. Spirulina suppresses bad bacteria like E.coli and Candida yeast and stimulates beneficial flora like lactobacillus and bifidobacteria. Healthy flora is the foundation of good health and it increases absorption of nutrients from the foods we eat, and helps protect against infection. Spirulina is a great food for malnourished people precisely because it helps rebuild healthy intestinal flora, which are essential for the utilization of more complex foods. It is also beneficial for AIDS patients because in AIDS patients, nutrient malabsorption associated with opportunistic infections can initiate full blown AIDS.
Q9: How does Spirulina enhance natural cleansing and detoxification?
A: In Japan, researchers found Spirulina significantly reduced kidney toxicity caused by the heavy metal mercury and three pharmaceutical drugs. This suggested it is beneficial for humans suffering from heavy metal poisoning. Other researcher found rats consuming Spirulina or chlorella algae eliminated 7 times the dangerous chemical dioxin compared to a control diet.
In 1994, a Russian Patent was awarded for Spirulina as a medical food to reduce allergic reactions from radiation sickness. 270 Children of Chernobyl consuming 5 grams a day for 45 days there was lowered radionuclides by 50%, and normalized allergic sensitivities.
Today we are exposed to a number of toxic chemicals in our air, water, food and drugs, Our body needs to continually eliminate these accumulated toxins. Spirulina has a unique combination of phytonutrients - including chlorophyll, phycocyanin and polysaccharides, that can help cleanse our bodies.
Q10: How does Spirulina increase antioxidant protection and reduce cancer risks?
A: Free radical molecules damage our body's cells. These are caused by Pollution, stress and poor diet injury give rise to free. Antioxidant nutrientsight these dangerous oxidizing free radicals. They also stimulate our immune system to guard against cancer and other diseases and even slow the aging process. Major antioxidant vitamins are beta carotene (provitamin A) C, and E. Antioxidant minerals selenium, manganese, zinc, copper, iron and chromium form our body's antioxidant enzymes. Spirulina contains all these nutrients, and exceptionally high levels of beta carotene and iron, and zinc in Spirulina. It also contains SOD (Super Oxide Dismutase) - an enzyme which acts as primary antioxidant defence in our body.
Research shows Spirulina helps protect Vitamin C from potency loss. In the past 20 years, many studies have shown natural beta carotene from fruits and vegetables reduces the risk of many cancers. Spirulina's beta carotene effect has been widely studied in India on thousands of people. Just one gram a day for a year given to 5000 pre school children, significantly reduced the incidence of eye disease. One gram a day caused total regression of mouth cancer lesions in 44% of male tobacco chewers. A Harvard study showed that a Spirulina extract used topically, reversed oral cancer tumours in hamsters.
Chinese scientists found the unique polysaccharides also have antioxidant properties. No doubt, Spirulina is one of the most powerful antioxidant foods.
Q11: Is beta carotene an anti-cancer antioxidant nutrient? Is natural different than synthetic beta carotene?
A: Spirulina is the richest beta carotene food, with a full spectrum of ten mixed carotenoids. Abouthalf are orange carotenes: alpha, beta and gamma and half are yellow xanthophylls. They work synergistically at different sites in our body to enhance antioxidant protection.
Twenty years of research proves eating beta carotene rich fruits and vegetables gives us realanti-cancer protection. Synthetic beta carotene has not always shown these benefits. Research in Israel showed natural beta carotene from algae was far more effective. Natural is better assimilated and contains the key 9-cis isomer, lacking in synthetic. As suspected, natural carotenoids in algae and vegetable have the most antioxidant and anti-cancer power.
Q12: What is role of chlorophyll in Spirulina?
A: Spirulina has one of nature's highest levels of chlorophyll - about 1%. Chlorophyll is known for cleansing and detoxifying. It is sometimes called Green blood? because it looks like the blood hemoglobin molecule. Blood has iron at its core, giving it a red color, and chlorophyll has magnesium, making it green. Spirulina's beneficial effect on anemia could be due to this similarity combined with its high bioavailable iron.
Q13: What is so unique about Spirulina as a source of GLA?
A: We need a dietary source of essential fatty acids. One is gamma-linolenic acid-a precursor to the body's prostaglandins - master hormones that control many functions. But poor diet, saturated fats and alcohol can cause GLA deficiency leading to conditions like heart disease and premenstrual stress. A food source of GLA is important, especially for women. Known GLA foods are mother's milk and oil extracts of evening primrose, black currant and borage seeds. Spirulina is a potent source, an astonishing 1% by weight. Eight Spirulina tablets contain GLA equivalent to a capsule of primrose oil. Many women have appreciated Spirulina's benefits for PMS (pre menotural syndrome) and for healthy, beautiful skin.
Q14: How digestible is Spirulina?
A: It's 95% digestible. Spirulina builds soft cell walls from a network of proteins, polysaccharides and enzymes. It just melts away inside our body. This is important for those who suffer from poor digestion or malabsorption, or for older people with restricted diets.
Q15: What about balancing body pH for good health. Can Spirulina do this?
A: It grows in very alkaline waters above pH 8. It's considered an alkaline food, and will help your body toward more alkalinity. Its 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 resistance to disease.
Q16: How much Spirulina should we take and when should we take it?
A: Long time consumers and scientific evidence both suggest 2-5 grams (4-10 capsules) a day bring significant health benefits. Take it every day for best results. Because Spirulina is a whole food, you can take it alone or with meals. Take convenient capsules anytime. People using caffeine, tobacco, alcohol or drugs can take 9 capsules or more per day either before between or with meals for enhanced nutritional support, vitality good health and well being.
Q17: What are the benefits for an aging person?
A: Spirulina is an ideal anti-aging food: concentrated nutrient value, easily digested and loaded with antioxidants. Beta carotene is good for healthy eyes and vision. This all vegetable, low fat protein means we can lighten up on a meat centered diet that can aggravate arthritis and raise cholesterol. When you choose to eat less or no meat, vegetable foods like Spirulina are good sources of more iron and essential minerals.
As people age, many who don't eat enough, have restricted diets or poor digestion many experience low energy from being undernourished. Spirulina builds healthy lactobacillus, aiding assimilation and elimination and relieving constipation. Older people really notice an energy boost. In Japan, 73% of those taking Spirulina are over 50 year old.
Q18: What will Spirulina do for Sports-Persons?
A: Sports-persons need extra nutrition. Spirulina is a high intensity superfood for a high intensity workout. Taken before jogging or competition, it delivers energy and improves stamina. Bikers, backpackers and mountain climbers will appreciate this lightweight survival food. For bodybuilders, it offers 60% protein and amino acids, low in fat. It's helpful for reducing caloric intake, essential for maintaining competitive weight. World Class athletes use Spirulina to improve performance. The Cuban Ministry of Sports gave it to their athletes to intensify training before the 1996 Olympic games. Cuban track stars have consumed it for many years. They say it helps create and mend muscle mass and helps iron retention. It improves endurance and wards off cramping for marathoners. When training increases appetite, Spirulina curbs hunger.
Q19: Can a person lose weight taking Spirulina?
A: Spirulina contains phenylalanine, an amino acid, which some scientists believe, act directly on hunger centre of brain. Many people find taking a few tablets or a Spirulina drink an hour before mealtime can help satisfy appetite, so they eat less. You know when you're going to be hungry, so just plan ahead. Because it's rich in iron, often deficient in women on low calorie diets, Spirulina is ideal support for any diet. Best of all, it helps us to lighten up and make the switch from a bulky diet to lighter, more powerful foods.
Q20: Is Spirulina good for pets, fish, birds and other animals?
A: Yes. It's a popular supplement for fish, birds and pets. In fact, much of the global Spirulina production is consumed by aquaculture raised fish and prawns, tropical fish, ornamental birds, horses and even cats and dogs.
The fish and prawn farmers discovered it increased growth rates, survival, color, and reduced medications. Today, Spirulina is in most premium aquarium feeds. Zoos feed their flamingos a Spirulina diet, like the millions of pink flamingos living on it in East African lakes.
Ornamental bird breeders use it to enhance color, health and fertility. Tiny amounts in diets of young turkeys and chickens builds disease resistance, reducing the need for antibiotics. In reptiles, it improves skin gloss and disease resistance. For thoroughbred racehorses, it improves speed and recovery.
If you give Spirulina to your dog or cat, you'll notice healthier skin, lustrous coat and fresher breath. Older animals may regain their flexibility. It's not unusual for a pet owner to ask: Is Spirulina good for me, too??
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