Benefits of Spirulina
Spirulina is the common name for a high-protein, blue-green microalgae called Arthrospira platensis. The dried biomass of this single-celled plant is sold in tablet and powdered forms as a nutritional supplement. While it can be grown fresh in laboratories and indoor pools, about 70 percent of spirulina is harvested from the wild in Africa, Asia, and Central America.
Healthy eating is increasingly important as we become more aware of our food choices. Spirulina is rich in protein, vitamins, and antioxidants, making it a good option for people on restrictive diets or those wanting to boost their nutritional intake.
Protein:
The primary reason spirulina is considered a healthy option is because of its high protein content. According to the Centers for Disease Control, women over 19 years old need about 46 grams of protein daily and men need 52 grams. Spirulina contains between 55 percent and 77 percent protein by weight, depending on the source.
It has about 10 times more protein than soybeans per serving, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. It is also a complete protein, containing all nine of the essential amino acids your body cannot produce on its own.
Other Nutrients:
Spirulina is rich in many nutrients that are lacking in other foods or that are concentrated in spirulina. Minerals like iron, calcium, magnesium, and potassium are present in spirulina. It also has high concentrations of vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, C, E, K1, and beta carotene.
The gamma-linolenic acid it contains is believed to have cardiovascular benefits. Spirulina can be an excellent food source for vegetarians who need to supplement their diets with protein and essential nutrients. It is also a good choice for people on low-protein diets or those who have difficulty absorbing nutrients from food.
Side effects of spirulina:
Spirulina is a type of blue-green algae that belongs to the family of plants known as cyanobacteria. The team investigated whether spirulina would be safe and tolerable for patients with advanced heart failure since it contains compounds like phycocyanin (PCC) and chlorophyll (CHL), which are anti-inflammatory and antioxidative.
The results revealed that the patients tolerated spirulina supplementation well, with no serious adverse effects or changes in their blood pressure, renal function, liver function tests, vitamin D levels, body weight parameters, or frequency of dizziness. The average pulse rate declined significantly after six weeks.
Perceived exertion during the six-minute walk test was lower after six weeks. However, there were no changes in levels of serum creatinine, glomerular filtration rate, or the presence of protein in urine during the supplementation period.
Spirulina benefits to the skin:
Spirulina is a blue-green alga and it is commonly known as a supplement that can improve or positively affect your skin. It contains antioxidants that might help to protect the skin from damage caused by free radicals and it also has anti-inflammatory effects which could benefit people with acne, rosacea, dermatitis, and other inflammatory skin conditions.
Spirulina also contains a lot of essential minerals and vitamins, including Vitamins B1, B2, B3, C, E, K1, and beta carotenes. These may help to promote good skin health by supporting the function of your sebaceous glands which will reduce acne breakouts if you have oily or combination skin.
Spirulina Benefits for hair:
Spirulina contains a high amount of antioxidants which help to protect your cells from damage and can also improve your body’s ability to produce energy efficiently, thus promoting healthy hair growth.
It also contains essential vitamins and minerals that are vital to the structure of your hair, such as Vitamin A, which will help to promote healthy hair growth, and Vitamin E is actually a natural antioxidant and it prevents the production of DHT.
Spirulina tablets:
Spirulina is a type of blue-green algae that is commonly available in tablet form and is often used as a dietary supplement. Spirulina tablets can be used to help treat some allergies or asthma symptoms since spirulina has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties and it may also help to lower cholesterol levels and blood pressure.
It is believed that spirulina tablets can also help to improve the function of your immune system, but keep in mind that this is not proven yet. Spirulina might also help to reduce symptoms of PMS by relieving water retention and bloating. However, more information regarding dosage is needed before it can be recommended to women with PMS.
Spirulina benefits for weight loss:
Nowadays, the obesity epidemic is a serious threat to many people’s health and spirulina can be helpful in losing bodyweight since it contains significant amounts of bioactive substances such as phycocyanin, phenylethylamine alkaloids, and phenolic lipids.
Spirulina might help to boost the metabolism and it might also reduce your appetite by increasing serotonin levels in your body, which is a neurotransmitter that’s involved in controlling:
– Hunger and fullness (satiety), and
– The reward and pleasure responses of your brain.
Spirulina benefits for asthma:
There is no clinical evidence that spirulina can help to cure asthma, but some studies suggest that it might be helpful for protecting against changes in the respiratory system after inhaling sulfur dioxide (SO2) fumes.
Spirulina benefits for the immune system:
Spirulina contains high levels of phycocyanin, which is a blue pigment found in algae. It has strong antioxidant properties, which can help to protect cells from damage and boost proper immune system function.
Spirulina benefits for cholesterol:
There is currently no research available about the effects of spirulina on your cholesterol levels.
Spirulina benefits for cancer:
Some animal studies have shown that spirulina can kill certain types of cancer cells, but there is not enough evidence to show whether it could be effective in treating or preventing cancer in humans.
Spirulina benefits for energy:
Spirulina contains significant amounts of iron, which is essential to the formation of red blood cells and hemoglobin. Red blood cells are responsible for transporting oxygen throughout your body, so getting enough iron can help to improve your athletic performance by allowing the muscles to work more efficiently.
Spirulina benefits for thyroid:
Spirulina can be helpful in managing hypothyroidism symptoms, but you should only use it under your doctor’s supervision since spirulina might affect how other medications work and it can interact with other supplements or herbs that you might be taking. Spirulina might also interact with insulin blood sugar control medications, diuretics used to treat high blood pressure, and some chemotherapy drugs.