What Is Spirulina: Benefits and Contraindications

Spirulina is an alga, more precisely a microalga, consumed for centuries for its healing properties, but also its special nutritional qualities.

Spirulina was consumed by the ancient Aztecs and reappeared in the attention of researchers as a super healthy food after NASA successfully used it as a food supplement for astronauts in space missions. It is a superfood from blue-green algae, which grows naturally in salt lakes in the subtropical climate, but also in the ocean. It is attributed to properties such as accelerating metabolism, lowering cholesterol, weight loss, but also treating mental disorders such as anxiety, depression, or attention deficit.

Nutritional values ​​7 g of spirulina

• Calories: 20 kcal

• Protein: 4 g

• Vitamin B1: 11% of the recommended daily dose

• Vitamin B2: 15% of the recommended daily dose

• Vitamin B3: 4% of the recommended daily dose

• Copper: 21% of the recommended daily dose

• Iron: 11% of the recommended daily dose

* Spirulina also contains magnesium, potassium, and manganese, as well as other important nutrients for the body.

Spirulina benefits

Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties - Being a rich source of antioxidants, spirulina protects the body from oxidative stress in DNA, but also in the cell. Oxidative stress causes chronic inflammation, which contributes to diseases, including cancer. Therefore, consuming spirulina has a strong anti-inflammatory effect.

Decreases blood triglycerides and "bad" cholesterol (LDL) - A recent study found that 1 gram of spirulina a day can lower blood triglycerides by 16.3% and cholesterol by 10,1%. Because triglycerides and cholesterol that exceed normal parameters can cause cardiovascular disease, spirulina protects our heart health.

Preventing the accumulation of cholesterol by gamma-linolenic acid: Spirulina is also composed of gamma-linolenic acid (GLA). GLA is largely formed from the conversion of LA to the presence of the enzyme delta-6-desaturase, which can be inhibited by mineral deficiencies, alcohol/tobacco abuse, infections, aging, and other severe medical conditions. Furthermore, GLA deficiencies can aggravate high blood pressure, hypertension, and dyslipidemia. In addition, spirulina also contains vitamin B3, also called niacin, which is also known to optimize dyslipidemia.

Treats candidiasis - According to researchers, Candida albicans is normally found in the body, in the oral cavity, in the gastrointestinal tract, and also in the vagina, but when imbalances occur, bacteria multiply and candidiasis appears, a form of vaginitis. Spirulina is effective in treating candidiasis, having effective antimicrobial properties in this microscopic fungus.

Decreases and helps regulate blood pressure - Phycocyanin, the substance that gives the blue hue of spirulina, has antihypertensive properties, helpful for people who have problems with high blood pressure. In addition, it has a low sodium content, which makes this superfood suitable for diets with limited salt content and does not contain harmful cholesterol, on the contrary, it helps fight its excess formation and prevents atherosclerosis, closely related to etiopathogenesis hypertension.

Energizes the body - Spirulina has an energizing effect on the body. According to the famous doctor from overseas, Dr. Oz, if we mix 1 teaspoon of spirulina with 350 g of lime, we will get an energy drink with which we can successfully replace coffee.

Accelerate Weight Loss - Protein-rich diets accelerate weight loss by "melting" fat deposits. The mechanism of action of spirulina is to reduce the infiltration of macrophages into visceral fat, prevent the accumulation of liver fat, reduce oxidative stress, improve insulin sensitivity and increase satiety.

Improves satiety-reducing appetite reduction may be due to improved leptin resistance in the arcuate nucleus.

Inhibition of pancreatic lipase: One of the components of spirulina is known to be H-b2 glycolipid, which inhibits pancreatic lipase activity in a dose-dependent manner, thereby reducing postprandial TG levels. Similar effects may be exerted by phytocyanin.

Allows symptoms of allergic rhinitis - Allergic rhinitis is characterized by inflammation of the nasal passages and is triggered by factors such as pollen, animal hair, or dust. A study of 127 people suffering from allergic rhinitis found that 2 grams of spirulina a day relieved the symptoms of rhinitis, such as sneezing, nasal congestion, and pruritus (itching) of the nose.

It has a hepatoprotective role and even improves the condition of the liver in nonalcoholic hepatic steatosis. Spirulina supplementation at a high dose of 6 g daily in patients with hepatic steatosis has strong beneficial metabolic effects. , low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, total cholesterol, and the ratio of total cholesterol to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol were significantly decreased.

It has a beneficial role in controlling blood glucose levels and in improving the lipid profile of subjects with type 2 diabetes. Studies in patients with type 2 diabetes have shown the effectiveness of Spirulina supplementation (2 g / day for 2 months) using preoperative and postoperative blood glucose levels, glycosylated hemoglobin levels (HbA (1c)), and lipid profiles in diabetic subjects. . Spirulina supplementation for two months resulted in a significant decrease in fasting blood glucose and postprandial blood glucose levels. A significant reduction in HbA (1c) was also observed, indicating an improvement in long-term glucose regulation. In terms of lipids, triglyceride levels were significantly reduced.

It can be an important source of protein, vitamins, and minerals for people with gluten intolerance and celiac disease. Spirulina is an important source of protein, but also essential fatty acids, minerals such as iron, magnesium, calcium, potassium, chromium, phosphorus - which are found in every cell in the body and work with calcium to maintain bone density, selenium, and a source excellent iron (10 times higher than normal foods). Spirulina provides beta carotene which the body converts into vitamin A and is especially important for celiacs. Beta-carotene is a powerful antioxidant that fights free radicals and also reduces the body's risk of many cancers, including colon and gastrointestinal tract, to which people with celiac disease are prone.

Spirulina is also a complete protein that provides all the essential amino acids in a highly absorbable form, as well as the zeaxanthinase lutein needed for a healthy visual system.

Other benefits of spirulina are: it increases endurance while doing sports, fights fatigue, balances blood sugar levels, helps detoxify the body, and prevents anemia.

Supports mental health

A research paper1 from 2018 highlights the potential role that spirulina could play in treating (affective) mood disorders. The theory behind this idea is that spirulina is a source of tryptophan, an amino acid that supports the production of serotonin in the brain. Serotonin, in turn, plays an important role in mental health.

Patients diagnosed with certain mental health disorders or conditions, such as depression and anxiety, may have low serotonin levels, and tryptophan supplements to maintain optimal serotonin levels may play a role in sustaining mental health. good.

How to take spirulina

• Spirulina can be consumed in both capsule and powder form.

• If you choose spirulina in powder form, here's how you can consume it:

• Dissolve 1 teaspoon of spirulina powder in a glass of water.

• Dissolve a teaspoon of spirulina powder in the smoothie you drink in the morning.

• Use spirulina powder to prepare desserts, especially raw ones.

• Use spirulina powder in salads, along with spices such as chili or cumin.

• Use spirulina in purees and cream soups.

• Are there any risks or contraindications associated with spirulina use?

An analysis2 from 2014 notes that spirulina is well tolerated by most people and that it is a substance considered safe for human consumption, so the substance does not cause significant side effects. However, it is a good idea to talk to your doctor about the possible interactions that may occur between spirulina and the medications you are currently taking before taking this type of supplement.

Blue-green algae products that do not contain harmful substances that contaminate them (such as toxic metals, harmful bacteria, or microcystin) are possibly safe3 for most people.

But if blue-green algae products are contaminated, they are most likely unsafe, especially when administered to children. Experts remind us that little ones are more sensitive than adults to contaminated blue-green algae products.

Some patients need to be extremely careful when taking blue-green algae products. Not enough information is known about the use of blue-green algae supplements in pregnant and lactating women.

In patients with autoimmune diseases (multiple sclerosis, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, etc.), blue-green algae may cause the immune system to become even more active, and as a result, the symptoms of these conditions may worsen.

Spirulina and cancer

Microalgae serve as a promising and effective research point in both preventing and even treating cancer. Several types of biomolecules extracted and characterized by microalgal origin showed an effective anti-tumorigenic and antiproliferative effect.

Various types of such compounds contain biologically active by-products, such as carotenoids, natural or sulfated polysaccharides, phenol derivatives, sterols, depsipeptides, metal-containing polychides, and several types of alkaloids and stipodiols. Almost all of these compounds can induce tumor cell death by activating the apoptotic pathway of caspases, inhibiting the nucleation of cell microtubules, or by activating independent pathways of intercellular caspase.

Researchers are focusing on one compound - fucoxanthin, a carotenoid found in microalgae, diatoms, and brown algae, which has strong anti-cancer properties by preventing the growth of malignant cells, stimulating cancer suppressor genes, and stopping cell cycles, while not affecting apoptosis. tumor cells

More advanced biological and molecular investigations are needed into the role and efficacy of these algae-derived anticancer compounds.

Furthermore, extensive in-vitro or in-vivo investigations into the bioactive compounds of microalgae should be performed to evaluate their possible applications against a wide range of cancers.