What is Spirulina?

 Spirulina, also known by the scientific name Arthrospira Platensis, is a blue-green algae, single-celled microbe found in fresh and saltwater bodies. These microbes make energy through a process called photosynthesis, which uses energy from the sun to create food from water and carbon dioxide.

Because spirulina is such a potent superfood and not that pleasant to eat, many people take it as a supplement.  You can take a versatile organic spirulina powder or choose to use tablets.

Protein

 One tablespoon of spirulina dietary supplement contains four grams of protein. That’s a lot of protein in a tablespoon. The protein in spirulina is of the highest quality, including all the essential amino acids. 

 Compared to whey protein powder, spirulina powder contains twice as much protein per tablespoon. The average protein powder has 24 grams of protein in one scoop, which is about 12 tablespoons, coming out to around two grams per tablespoon.

Healthy Fat

 One tablespoon has only one gram of fat, and this fat is the healthy fats omega 3, 6, and 9. The fat in spirulina is also one of the only natural sources of GLA, or gamma-linolenic acid, which is the omega 6 fatty acid. 

 GLA is needed for the body to have a healthy metabolism, good brainpower, a robust skeleton, and is vital for reproductive health. It also treats diabetic neuropathy.

The main bulk of vitamins in spirulina are vitamins B1, B2, and B3. Doctors and scientists call these the “energy” vitamins as they help convert food into energy, which is then used by the body. Spirulina also contains small amounts of vitamins A, C, D, E, and K. 

Vitamins & Minerals 

When it comes to minerals, spirulina is a good source of copper and iron and has 26 times more calcium than milk. It also contains small amounts of potassium, chromium, manganese, magnesium, phosphorus, selenium, sodium, and zinc.

 Considering all of the nutrition that one tablespoon of spirulina contains, with only 20 calories and 1.7 grams of carbs, it makes it possibly the most nutrient-dense food on the planet.

Skin Benefits

 Spirulina powder that is certified organic is a great product to help improve your skin. It delivers six different benefits:

• Tones the skin
• Improves skin elasticity
• Minimizes pores
• Moisturizes and anti-aging
• Soothe and heals skin
• Treats acne or inflamed skin conditions

1. High Antioxidant Levels

 Spirulina contains more than one antioxidant. But phycocyanin is the powerful antioxidant that delivers most of the benefits that come with this supplement.

 These antioxidants are potent protectants against inflammation. Phycocyanin and beta carotene work together to suppress inflammatory responses. Numerous studies demonstrate spirulina’s ability to suppress inflammation.

 So many diseases are due to chronic inflammation. These include Crohn’s disease, asthma, chronic peptic ulcers, gout, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriasis, atherosclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis. And this is just a small sampling.

 These antioxidants also fight against cancer. The phytonutrients in spirulina stop carcinogenesis, which is the start of cancer growth in the body. They do so by scavenging for free radicals and repairing any DNA damage to these cells.

 2. Good For the Heart

 Heart problems are a nationwide problem. If you look at the heart disease facts on the CDC website, you will feel the significance of that statement. 

 Every 36 seconds, a person dies from cardiovascular disease in the United States. A quarter of all deaths are due to heart disease in the US. We should be aware of this issue and take precautions not to be one of the statistics. 

 Spirulina supplementation lowers triglycerides and bad cholesterol. It also protects against lipid peroxidation. This chain reaction of an attack on lipid cells can cause atherosclerosis, the buildup of plaque on the artery wall.

 Spirulina also reduces blood pressure. High blood pressure stresses the heart, which can lead to heart disease and a possible early death.

 3. Improves Nasal Allergy Symptoms

 People who supplemented with spirulina had positive effects on their allergy symptoms. It helped to reduce the inflammation in the nostrils as well as reduce the histamine production. 

 With those who had allergic rhinitis, spirulina helped with itching, sneezing, and congestion.

4. Reduce Muscle Fatigue and Damage

 All you workout buffs will appreciate this benefit that spirulina delivers. 

Spirulina improved the endurance of runners. It also showed that it increased the breakdown of fat during the run and reduced the breakdown of carbs. This will result in a lower body-fat percentage overall.

Organic spirulina powder reduced the damage done to skeletal muscle during exercise, which led to improved physical performance and postponed the point of exhaustion.

 7. Detoxification Properties

 The chlorophyll in spirulina removes heavy metals from the blood. This substantial detox property actually reverses the effects of chronic arsenic poisoning.

 8. Keeps the Gut Microbiota Healthy as You Age

 The amount of and type of microbiota in your gut can significantly affect your digestion and immune system. As you age, your gut microbiota quality can begin to decline.

 Organic spirulina powder helps keep those microbiota healthy and active.