Further studies have found that spirulina enhances athletic performance and promotes weight loss through fat-burning Kalafati et al. If you are allergic to pollen, dust, or pets, you may know the feeling when the inside of the nose swells up. This process is called allergic rhinitis. Moreover, spirulina algae can reduce inflammation of the nasal mucosa and histamine in the body Sayin et al.

Further studies link spirulina with anti-allergy, antiviral, and anticancer effects Karkos et al. According to numerous studies, spirulina can be effective against cancer, especially in the mouth Mathew et al. Accordingly, it can counteract changes in connective tissue in the mouth. Not only is it more effective than drugs, but it also causes no side effects Mulk et al. Furthermore, the health benefits of spirulina can reduce tumor growth Ismail et al.

Studies show that spirulina is incredibly helpful in keeping blood sugar levels in check. In some cases, its effect could even dwarf that of diabetes drugs such as metformin Jarouliya et al.

Besides lowering blood sugar levels, the blue-green algae can reduce the risk of diabetes and improve the lipid profile of type 2 diabetics Winter et al. Antioxidants are substances that protect cells from harmful effects. Ideally, you consume antioxidants from natural sources, and spirulina is one of them. Moreover, spirulina contains the antioxidant phycocyanin, which can have potent anti-inflammatory effects Shih et al.

Furthermore, spirulina is a food with a high oxygen radical absorption capacity ORAC. This means the ability to neutralize oxygen radicals and prevent oxidative damage to cells. Therefore, studies show that spirulina can reduce pro-inflammatory cytokines in the body Gemma et al. With this in mind, antioxidants in spirulina can significantly counteract lipid peroxidation Ismail et al. Accordingly, spirulina could reduce oxidative damage and improve blood lipid levels during the day in type 2 diabetes patients Lee et al.

People in Asia and South America still suffer from contaminated drinking water. In this context, researchers have found that spirulina extract is an effective natural treatment for people who have suffered poisoning from drinking water Misbahuddin et al. Moreover, studies suggest that one can even use spirulina clinically against poisoning caused by harmful substances. Hence, these antitoxic benefits from spirulina can work against the following pollutants in your body Martinez-Galero 25 :.

In one study, the oral intake of 4. With this in mind, researchers assume that the reduction is due to the increased production of nitric oxide.

This molecule acts as a messenger and signals blood vessels to dilate Juarez-Oropeza et al. The blue-green alga already made the headline once that humans would have been ill after consuming it.

Nevertheless, the trigger for this seemed to have been much more the genetically modified maltodextrin and soy protein isolate in the blue-green protein bar. In my opinion, this is another reason to stay away from highly processed foods, even if so-called superfoods like spirulina spice them up. With this in mind, the U. However, it is essential to consult your doctor before adding the supplement to your diet, especially if you are taking prescription medication. Also, the alga may cross-react with other allergens Le et al.

Spirulina has an effect that dilutes the blood and can thus prolong the duration of blood clotting Majdoub et al. Therefore, you should avoid spirulina if you suffer from a bleeding disorder or are taking blood thinners. Algae can absorb toxins if they grow in water that is contaminated with heavy metals or bacteria. This way, they can develop high amounts of microcystins Roy-Lachapelle et al. These are toxins used by algae against predators.

Like lectins in nightshades, they may not have a noticeable effect in small quantities, but in larger amounts, they can be harmful.

Because of their effect on the liver, they pose a health risk. However, spirulina, which is usually grown in controlled environments, contains hardly any microcystins. In particular, people with multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis should be cautious with spirulina Mukhopadhyay Although natural killer cells strengthen the immune system and slow down tumor growth, they can also aggravate autoimmune diseases Witek-Janusek et al.

If you suffer from an autoimmune disease, you should be particularly careful and avoid various algae supplements. Since they cannot metabolize the algae properly, people with this rare metabolic disease have to avoid them Mukhopadhyay The bottom line is that the health benefits of spirulina are outstanding.

Now that we know that health authorities generally consider spirulina to be safe and side effects are rare. Nevertheless, due to the ongoing hype around blue algae, it is essential to be careful in your product selection. Finally, not every supplier tests for toxicity.

And one must be careful of contaminated spirulina preparations. Since the demand is high, there can be dubious suppliers on the market. Therefore, it is vital to choose a GMO-free, sustainable, and organic producer to prevent cross-contamination. Furthermore, I would not buy highly processed spirulina products.

Our Spirulina is grown locally on site in a pristine environment, using only quality growing mediums and pure mineral water. Consuming low quality Spirulina can very quickly lead to a build up of such heavy metals and toxins in your body system.

This can lead to many potential long term health problems. All our supplies and our workforce are sourced locally to support Aussies and Aussie businesses. Our Spirulina powder is created using an advanced multimillion-dollar patented spray drying system.

This short processing period minimises the Spirulina's loss of nutrients and retains almost all of its natural goodness. Most other companies do not make use of such a machine and opt for the cheapest method sun-drying their Spirulina or making use of heating elements. Long exposure to air and heat not only destroys a large amount of the natural enzymes, pigments and vitamins, it also leaves the product more susceptible to contamination.

This means that a single one of our tablets, contains significantly higher nutritional value compared to a same size tablet created from other drying methods. Here are the four main differences that are important to understand:.

First of all, spirulina is a spiral-shaped, multi-celled plant with no true nucleus. Comparably, chlorella is a spherical-shaped single-celled microorganism with a nucleus and is solid green.

Second, the growing conditions differ considerably. Spirulina grows best in low-alkaline conditions — particularly, fresh water lakes, ponds and rivers. It also requires an abundance of sunshine and moderate temperatures. Chlorella, on the other hand, grows in fresh water typically occupied by other organisms, which makes it more challenging to harvest. Third, the ways in which both spirulina and chlorella can be eaten are also very different.

Because of its hard, indigestible cellulose wall, for instance, chlorella requires mechanical processing to make it worthwhile for human consumption. The process can be quite costly, which explains why chlorella is usually more expensive than spirulina.

On the other hand, spirulina has a completely digestible cellulose wall and can be immediately consumed and digested with ease. Finally, although both are considered superfoods, spirulina and chlorella differ in their nutritional content. Arguably the healthier of the two, spirulina contains more essential amino acids, iron, protein, B vitamins, and vitamins C, D and E.

With that said, chlorella still holds an abundance of health benefits. My personal go-to, however, is spirulina. Believed to have been a staple for the Aztecs, recorded history dating to the Conquistadors confirms that spirulina cakes were regularly sold as far back as the 16 th century.

They make it into cakes like bricks, which they sell, not only in the market of Tenochtitlan but carry it to others outside the city, and far off. They eat this as we eat cheese, and it has rather a salty taste, which is delicious with chilmolli a pungent sauce.

They say that so many birds come to the lake for this food, that often in winter some parts are covered with them. First mentioned by Dangeard in the s, history tells us that Central Africans near Lake Chad have been cultivating spirulina since they first inhabited the region in the 9 th century. As one of the most nutritious, concentrated whole foods known to humankind, Hawaiian Spirulina Pacifica provides more nutrition gram per gram than any other spirulina on the market.

Just one 3-gram serving, for instance, contains:. Josh Axe is on a mission to provide you and your family with the highest quality nutrition tips and healthy recipes in the world What Is Spirulina? Chlorella History. More Nutrition Dr. Axe on Facebook 1 Dr. Axe on Twitter 22 Dr. Axe on Instagram Dr. Axe on Google Plus Dr. Axe on Youtube Dr. The use of various plants and herbs known as phytotherapy and herbalism Read More. Axe on Facebook Dr. Axe on Twitter 5 Dr. Turnip plants, which have the scientific name Brassica rapa, belong to the If you dislike the taste of seaweed but want to add a Axe on Twitter 23 Dr.

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