Wednesday, July 6, 2011

The Health Benefits of Spirulina

It’s Good Enough for High-Impact Life on Space

In the 1980’s NASA started doing research on foods that could used to sustain life in space. They decided to study different plants and see which ones were the best. Spirulina, a class of algae which is actually 3.5 billion years old, is one they decided to look at very carefully. The study concluded by saying that Spirulina was in fact a good choice for use in long term space flight. It is known for being the richest source ofvitamin B12, as well as a good source of vitamins B1 and B2. With one gram of spirulina, you can satisfy half of the adult daily requirements of vitamin A (B-carotene). It’s also rich in protein and iodine, which is ideal for high-impact life in space.

So it’s good for outer space, but what about here on earth? What benefits can be derived while living on this planet? Here are a few other studies and details that point to its potential value in very different aspects of health.

It Inhibits Growth of Breast Cancer Cells

According to a study1 published in the U.S. National Library of Medicine, it showed Spirulina extract could inhibit the growth of harmful breast cancer cells, which indicate that Spirulina could be beneficial in prevention of breast cancer.

It Improves Academic Performance

Another research article 2 published in the U.S. National Library of Medicine indicates an improvement is academic results in a random group of 100 students over a 2 month period of supplementing with Spirulina. The students who took a daily dose of 2 grams of Spirulina (mixed with honey) showed improvement in their academic performance.
It has Protective Benefits
Rosiglitazone is an anti-diabetic drug that has been associated with increasing the risk of osteoporosis 3. But a study4 published in the U.S. National Library of Medicine reports that supplementing with Spirulina reduced the risks. The high calcium and phosphorus content in Spirulina can help strengthen the bone surface. 

Click Here, to research spirulina further. Once you have completed your research, you will probably agree that supplementing with Spirulina would be an excellent addition to your diet.

PLEASE NOTE: Spirulina has tremendous cleansing and detoxifying properties; so it is recommended that you work with a natural health practitioner if you have been or are currently taking medication or have any health concerns. When starting your supplementation, it is recommended that you start with the lowest possible dosage, monitor any possible detoxification side effects (e.g. headache, rash) and increase your dosage slowly.