Doesn’t this just sound like a fun food by its name? As I have shared in other posts, superfoods contain high levels of essential nutrients, both as food and medicinal in their properties. Let’s look at Spirulina.
Spirulina is a blue-green algae which is high in protein and vitamin content. It has antioxidants and inflammation fighting properties, and has the ability to help regulate the immune system.
Spirulina occurs naturally in tropical and subtropical lakes with a high concentration of carbonate and bicarbonate. Did you know spirulina is able to make it’s own food? Spirulina likes high alkaline water (soda water). Traditional peoples harvested and consumed spirulina from lakes in Mexico, Africa, and Asia.
Naturally occurring spirulina can be contaminated with toxic substances and heavy metals; therefore, spirulina used in supplement form today is produced at specialized spirulina farms. The conditions at these farms can be controlled to avoid contaminates. After harvesting, the spirulina is freeze-dried.
Benefits
Here are some benefits that may be available by adding spirulina to your diet.
- Weight Loss – Spirulina provides additional nutrients without a lot of calories.
- Improve Gut Health – It is easily digested and may help preserve good gut bacteria. It is best taken with high fiber foods to encourage the good bacteria.
- Manage Diabetes – It has been found to lower people’s fasting glucose levels.
- Cholesterol – Spirulina has been found to reduce LDL and increase HDL.
- Blood Pressure – In a 2016 study, it was found that eating spirulina regularly for three months reduced participant’s blood pressure if the they were overweight or had hypertension.
- Heart Disease Prevention – This may be due to the cholesterol lowering, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects.
- Boost Metabolism – In a small study, there was shown a beneficial metabolic effect.
- Reducing Allergy Symptoms – Spirulina could improve the symptoms to allergic rhinitis. An additional small study showed improvement of reduced runny nose, sneezing, nasal congestion, and itchiness.
- Support Mental Health – It is a good source of tryptophan which is an amino acid that supports serotonin production. Serotonin plays an important role in mental health.
Caution!
In a 2014 review, it was noted that spirulina should be well tolerated by most. If you have phenylketonuria (PKU), spirulina should be avoided as it contains phenylalanine. Others that should avoid this superfood are individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS), lupus, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and any other condition linked to an overactive immune system.
Interactions can occur with immunosuppressant drugs and blood thinners so it should only be taken under the direction of your healthcare provider. It should also be avoided if pregnant or breastfeeding unless directed by your healthcare provider.
If you want to add this superfood to your diet and don’t have any health challenges where it should be avoided, you can add powdered spirulina to smoothies, salads, soups, energy balls, and fruit or vegetable juice.
Good Brands of Spirulina include:
- Earthrise Spirulina
- Healthforce Spirulina
- Nutre-Hawaii Spirulina
- Source Naturals Organic Spirulina
- Dr. Mercola Spiru-Blue
Adding superfoods to your diet is a great way to invest in your health! Have you used spirulina? What is your favorite way to enjoy it?
Be blessed and be a blessing,
Heather
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