It’s 4 Syllables…Sounds Like ‘Hyena’….

It’s SPIRULINA!! 

Spirulina… spear’ roo’ lean’ ah’…..it’s green and looks like pond scum…

Natures first food. It’s a WHOLE protein source with so many phytonutrients it would blow your mind to look at the list! This is a perfect example of a whole food source that you can add to your meals to bump up the nutrient value without adding a bunch of extra calories. You just can’t say that about animal products. The way animals are raises, in today’s demanding industry, they are 60% fat! And, by the way, animal fat is solid at body temperature…..ewwww!!

I’m sticking with SPIRULINA because, when its harvested correctly from non-contaminated ponds and bodies of water, it is one of the most potent nutrient sources available. Spirulina contains a broad spectrum of amino acids (the building blocks of protein), DNA and RNA (the genetic coding of all life), enzymes, essential nutrients and antioxidants in an easily digestibly form and are close to nature’s perfect foods.  They enhance detoxification and healing, help our body’s repair and build new healthy cells and boost our immune systems.  The quality of these is important.  Ensure that your algae’s are purchased “live” in frozen liquid form or have been cold temperature dried rather than heated as this will destroy their enzymatic content.

The high concentration of protein and iron also makes it idea during pregnancy, after surgery or anytime the immune system needs a boost. It also has a plentiful concentration of B-12, however, it is not recommended to rely on it completely for all your B-12 needs as it’s form of B-12 isn’t completely understood so it’s bioavailability is still in question.

• Spirulina is 65% protein and amino acids including the essential fatty acid gamma linolenic acid (GLA) which has gotten a lot of attention for its anti-inflammatory properties, especially when taken with other quality Omega-3 supplements like Mila, which is a high quality Chia supplement that guarantees 3,000 mgs of Omega-3’s per serving. It is suspected that the benefits are greater than what the studies have found since these studies often use vegetable oils for their GLA source. The other inflammatory compounds in vegetable oils can interfere with the anti-inflammatory ability of GLA in Spirulina.
• Spirulina contains Omega 3-,6 and 9s and is especially high in Omega-3s.
• Spirulina is extremely high in Chlorophyll, which helps remove toxins from the blood and boost the immune system.
• Spirulina has a very high concentration of bio-available iron and is excellent during pregnancy and for those with anemia and will not cause constipation.
•  Spirulina is a great source of other nutrients including (according to Wikipedia): “Spirulina contains vitamins B-1(thiamine), B-2 (riboflavin), B-3(nicotinamide), B-6 (pyridoxine), B-9 (folic acid), vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin A and vitamin E. It is also a source of potassium, calcium, chromium, copper, iron, magnesium,  manganese, phosphorus,  selenium, sodium and zinc. Spirulina contains many pigments which may be beneficial and bioavailable”
• High quality Spirulina has been found to have an ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) of over 24,000 which is 4x the ORAC score of blueberries. The ORAC score is generally used to measure antioxidant ability and concentration in different foods.
• Spirulina is also incredibly high in calcium with over 26 times the calcium in milk, making it excellent for children, the elderly and during pregnancy. When combined with Mila, the calcium content is through the roof!
• Some research has suggested that Spirulina may be helpful in allergies and allergic reactions.
• Spirulina’s phosphorus content makes it helpful as part of a tooth remineralization regimen.
• Emerging evidence suggests that it binds with radioactive isotopes and may be useful for radioactivity exposure or radiation therapy.
• The protein in Spirulina is highly usable and has a net protein utilization rate of between 50-61% (bioavailability of our body to absorb the proteins).
• Spirulina can bind with heavy metals in the body and help remove them safely.
• Spirulina can increase fat burning during exercise.

There are many benefits I can list here. There is enough research and evidence to support the beneficial use of Spirulina to ask in supporting a healthy live plant based diet and lifestyle. With the research results EVERYONE should be consuming Spirulina whether they are eating a plant based or animal based diet. Animal protein is not near as absorbable as Spirulina. Check out the evidence for yourself and test it out in your body. See how it makes you feel. Forget the taste! Once you get it in the right combination of ingredients that suits your taste buds you will feel how energizing and revitalizing putting living nutrient dense plant based foods in your body can be!