By definition, spirulina is a biomass of cyanobacteria which can be consumed by humans and animals. It is among the world’s most popular supplements.
Spirulina is packed with dozens of nutrients and antioxidants — including vitamin E, B vitamins, and beta-carotene — that enhance both your mental and physical health.
Benefits
1. Packed With Nutrients
After the ancient Aztecs, spirulina lost its popularity. However, it has gained back its popularity ever since NASA discovered that it can be grown in space for use by astronauts.
This is great news for astronauts because spirulina is arguably the most nutritious food (gram for gram) on the planet. A single tablespoon (7 grams) of dried spirulina powder contains:
- 4 grams of protein
- 11% of the DRA of iron
- 21% of the DRA of copper
- 11% of the DRA of vitamin B1
- 4% of the DRA of vitamin B3 (niacin)
- 15% of the DRA of vitamin B2 (riboflavin)
Furthermore, it also contains decent amounts of magnesium, manganese, potassium, omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, along with small amounts of almost every other important nutrient.
So saying that, “spirulina is rich in nutrients” is an understatement.
2. Powerful Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidant Properties
If you didn’t know already, oxidative damage can lead to chronic inflammation, cancer, and other fatal diseases.
Spirulina has powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties thanks to its main active component called phycocyanin.
Phycocyanin fights free radicals and hinders production of inflammatory molecules. Its impressive effects are backed by several recent studies. (1, 2, 3)
3. Lowers “Bad” LDL and Triglyceride Levels
As you may already know, heart disease is the world’s leading cause of death.
Many risk factors contribute to heart disease, and as it turns out, a great amount of them can be prevented and controlled by spirulina.
For instance, spirulina can raise “good” HDL cholesterol while lowering total cholesterol, “bad” LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides.
According to this study on 25 participants with type 2 diabetes, 2 grams of spirulina per day reduced LDL cholesterol and triglycerides significantly.
Another study conducted on people with high cholesterol concludes that 1 gram of spirulina per day lowers “bad” LDL by 10.1% and triglycerides by 16.3%.
Furthermore, several other studies have found similar results. However, these studies used higher doses of 4.5-8 grams spirulina per day.
Health Issues Associated With Spirulina Deficiency
Deficiency in iron, copper, omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids leads to countless health issues. Among these issues, the most popular ones are:
- Pale skin
- Chest pain
- Extreme fatigue
- Weak and brittle bones
- Headache, dizziness or lightheadedness
People who take spirulina supplements regularly have a much lower risk of suffering from these health issues.
Daily Recommended Intake
The daily recommended intake for spirulina depends mainly on the condition you’re trying to deal with.
For instance, in recent studies, participants trying to:
- Lower cholesterol used a daily dose of 1-8 grams for four weeks to six months.
- Reduce symptoms of hypertension consumed 4.5 grams of spirulina daily for six weeks.
- Reduce symptoms of type 2 diabetes took two 1 gram doses of spirulina daily for two months.
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Superior can help with all types and forms of spirulina manufacturing. Our goal is to give your business exactly what it needs to succeed: stellar supplements.
Give us a call today to get one step closer to turning your dream supplement into a reality.
