Benefits of Spirulina

Spirulina is a member of the blue-green algae family that became famous after it was used by NASA as a part of the astronauts diet on space missions. It is a cyanobacterium, which is the phylum for bacteria which use photosynthesis for energy. It grows in fresh water. It only flourishes in extremely high pH alkaline lakes and in large controlled outdoor ponds. If you were to view it under a microscope, you would see the wonderful green spiral, which is how it got its name.
Spirulina is proven safe by many toxicological research studies. It is listed by the US Food and Drug Administration under the category GRAS, which stands for “Generaly Recognzed as Safe.” It is important to know that spirulina can get contaminated by environmental toxins. Since the March 2011 Fukushima incident, you must be careful where you get your spirulina and sea vegetables from. Spirulina should be high quality, organic and pollutant free.
Spirulina is 70% protein by weight. It has 8 essential amino acids plus 10 non-essential ones. Spirulina has more protein than soybeans, beef or chicken. It has nutrients unlike any herb, grain or plant. It also contains gamma linolenic acid, arachidonic acid, phycocyanin, chlorophyll, vitamin B12, other B complex vitamins, vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin K, magnesium, chromium, iodine, phosphorus, selenium, zinc and beta-carotene. In fact, spirulina is a richer source of beta-carotene than carrots.

Here are the benefits of spirulina:

• It increases antioxidant protection.
• Spirulina lowers chloesterol and triglyceride levels.
• It improves the gastrointestinal health, helps the digestive process and creates flora in the digestive tract.
• Spirulina slows the aging process.
• It can help to decrease candidas albicans.
• It detoxifies the body of radiation.
• Spirulina helps to improve bone marrow and spleen, thus producing more red and white blood cells.
• It contains thyroid-supporting minerals iodine and tyrosine.
• Spirulina has anti-inflammatory properties which helps to improve nasal allergies.
• It is especially beneficial for people who are hypoglycemic because it stabilizes blood sugar levels.
• It promotes weight loss if needed.
• Spirulina is beneficial for the skin. It improves sun spots, acne, eczema and rashes.
• It is good for the eyes. It helps to improve vision and also with glaucoma and cataracts.
• Spirulina reduces eye spasms.
• Spirulina with zinc is useful for treating arsenic poisoning. It also helps to rid the body of lead, mercury and other toxins

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