Once declared the \u201cbest food for the future\u201d by the World Health Organization, this blue-green algae is a protein-rich antioxidant that may support and maintain your immune system. Read on to learn more about spirulina.<\/p>\n
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Spirulina is a dried supplement made from two species of blue-green algae, Arthrospira platensis <\/em>and Arthrospira maxima<\/em>. The Kanembu tribe in Chad call it dih\u00e9<\/em>; the Aztecs who lived in the valley of Mexico called it tecuitlatl<\/em> [R<\/a>, R<\/a>, R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n The algae naturally grows in warm freshwater lakes like Lake Texcoco in Mexico and Lake Chad, which sits on the border of Chad, Niger, Nigeria, and Cameroon. Locals traditionally harvest the algae and dry it in \u201ccakes\u201d [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Once it\u2019s been dried, spirulina contains up to 70% protein, is a nutrient-rich antioxidant, and takes less land, water, and energy to produce than staple crops like corn and soy<\/strong>. Farmers use it to enrich their animal feeds and improve the quality of meat they produce. It pulls huge quantities of carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere, and it may even be used to convert city sewage back to clean water [R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Spirulina gathered attention as a possible pharmaceutical in the 1940s and 50s. In 1974, the World Health Organization declared it the \u201cbest food for the future\u201d to combat malnutrition, especially in children [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n The most significant bioactive compounds in spirulina are the phycocyanins, including C-phycocyanin<\/strong>. This is a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory<\/strong> molecule with a surprising cascade of effects: it has been found to protect brain and liver cells<\/strong> [R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n C-phycocyanin has a very similar structure to the human blood protein<\/strong> bilirubin<\/strong><\/a>, which is a product of the breakdown of old red blood cells<\/a>. Bilirubin happens to be a natural antioxidant: it binds to oxygen free radicals to form biliverdin. Elevated bilirubin can signal an underlying health problem, but in most people, bilirubin is protective<\/strong>. People with low levels of bilirubin are more likely to suffer from atherosclerosis and heart disease. C-phycocyanin may help restore the oxidative balance in people with low bilirubin<\/strong> [R<\/a>, R<\/a>, R<\/a>, R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Spirulina boasts a range of bioactive compounds like phenols, flavonoids, and polysaccharides. The phenols and flavonoids contribute to this algae\u2019s antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties; the polysaccharides boost the immune response [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Dried spirulina is very high in a wide variety of nutrients. 100 g (or about 3.5 oz) of dried spirulina contains more than 100% of the recommended daily intake of total proteins,<\/strong> vitamin<\/strong><\/a> B1<\/strong><\/a> (<\/strong>thiamin<\/strong><\/a>), vitamin<\/strong> B2<\/strong><\/a> (<\/strong>riboflavin<\/strong><\/a>),<\/strong> iron<\/strong><\/a>, and<\/strong> copper<\/strong><\/a>. It is also a significant source of vitamin E<\/strong><\/a>, vitamin K,<\/strong> vitamin B3<\/strong><\/a> (<\/strong>niacin<\/strong><\/a>),<\/strong> folate<\/strong><\/a>,<\/strong> magnesium<\/strong><\/a>,<\/strong> potassium<\/strong><\/a>, and<\/strong> manganese<\/strong><\/a> [R<\/a>, R<\/a>, R<\/a>, R<\/a>, R<\/a>, R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Note that if you are taking a few grams of spirulina as a supplement, these nutrients will probably not be present in high enough quantities to make a real difference in your nutrient status.<\/p>\n Spirulina contains inactive compounds called corrinoids, one of which has a structure very similar to<\/strong> vitamin B12<\/strong><\/a>. In fact, this corrinoid, which is sometimes called pseudovitamin B12, is so similar to the real thing that researchers cannot tell the difference with conventional lab tests. As a result, some nutrition sources report that spirulina contains large quantities of B12 even though the pseudovitamin corrinoid has no biological activity and cannot be substituted for vitamin B12<\/strong> [R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n People who eat a vegetarian<\/a> diet may have difficulty finding plant-based foods containing vitamin B12<\/a>. This essential vitamin supports the nervous system and bone marrow, and a deficiency can cause low blood cell count or neurological problems [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n If you are a vegetarian, do not rely on spirulina for vitamin B12<\/strong>. It contains an inactive corrinoid, not the real vitamin.<\/p>\n<\/a>Components<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
<\/a>Phycocyanins<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
<\/a>Other Functional Compounds<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
<\/a>Important Nutrients<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
<\/a>Spirulina is Not a Source of Vitamin B12<\/strong><\/h4>\n
<\/a>How Does Spirulina Work?<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n