6 Healthy Reasons to Eat Spirulina

You have likely heard of a superfood called spirulina, but may be surprised to learn that it is a form of blue green algae. It is incredibly healthy for both humans and animals.  The following article will take an in depth look at spirulina and examine the many benefits spirulina has on the body. There are two species of this blue green algae, Arthrospira platensis and Arthrospira maxima. They are grown worldwide and used as dietary supplements for humans, poultry, and farm raised fish, among other things.  It is available in many forms, including tablets, powders, and flakes. It can be added to a variety of things to give them a health-boost; most notably, it is added to many green juice powders and bottled juices to enhance their health benefits. Kylea’s original Total Living Drink Greens included spirulina as one of our superfood ingredients but because of the strong algae taste, we removed it… until now. It is back in our formula and the good news is that the overall taste of the new formula is much better than the old formula without the spirulina.

What are the Benefits of Spirulina?

You may be wondering what benefits spirulina could possibly provide to make it such a popular ingredient in many high-quality supplements. Here are seven particularly notable perks:

Loaded with Protein

Spirulina is about 60% protein in its dried form. A single tablespoon provides 4 grams of protein and only 20 calories! Spirulina has more protein than red meat so it has become a staple for vegetarians. It is also a complete protein. This means it provides all the essential amino acids, which is rare for a non-meat food item. This means vegans and vegetarians can get the complete proteins they need without consuming animal products.

Loaded with Antioxidants

Spirulina is a tremendous source of antioxidants that will fight free radicals in the body to protect the cells. It has 4-times the antioxidants than blueberries.

Protects the Heart

It can reduce the risk of heart disease by lowering bad cholesterol and triglyceride levels and increasing good cholesterol levels.

Good Source of Iron

Spirulina is a great source of iron and may be especially useful for those suffering from or at risk for anemia.

Loaded with B-Vitamins

Spirulina is chock-full of important B-Vitamins (Thiamin, Riboflavin, Niacin) that are necessary for all functions of life… including immune boosting and keeping our bodies full of energy.

Helps Naturally Detox the Body

Because of the high levels of Chlorophyll in spirulina, it is one of nature’s best natural body detoxifiers helping to remove toxins from the blood and internal organis.

Potential Side Effects of Spirulina

Thus far, studies have shown that spirulina in its pure form does not represent a toxicological danger for humans. Subjects have consumed up to 800 milligram per kilogram of body weight safely.  Other tests have also replaced subjects' protein intake by up to 60% with spirulina with no adverse effects, even when studied over the long term and through several generations. However, since spirulina is a supplement, it is not regulated as rigorously as typical food products in the U.S. Thus, though extremely rare, some supplements have been found contaminated with microcystins, toxins produced by other types of blue-green algae that belong to the same family as spirulina. Microcystins are associated with cancer, and are thus a serious concern. Like anything else, a small percentage of the population may also be allergic to spirulina, which can cause a number of reactions, including but not limited to hives, upset stomach, and swelling of the throat.

Summary

Spirulina is a popular component in green drink powders and other supplements not only because of its many health benefits, but because it is a protein-based superfood. It is a real food source like broccoli, spinach and kale. Now few people will eat spirulina cakes like the ancient Aztecs did, but it is a great addition to any diet. The Total Living Drink Greens contains 2,000 mg of spirulina, a significant measure that will have a real impact on the body. Often times, green powders will include a small, undisclosed amount of the nutrient leaving the consumer guessing.[hr]