There’s a little known superfood that grows in warm, alkaline fresh waters around the world.
Spirulina is a microscopic algae that turns sunlight into energy and under the microscope Spirulina is a blue-green colour and takes the form of a spiral of long thin threads, hence the name. The blue-green colour of the plant is a combination of green chlorophyll and blue phycocyanin (photosynthesis) pigments. Fortunately, the cell walls of Spirulina are made up of soft mucopolysaccharides (long chains of sugar molecules and already present in the body) rather than cellulose, making it easier for us to assimilate.
The very green-ness of Spirulina is an important point - much of the normal diet is acidic and the alkalising properties of Spirulina help to counteract that.
Perhaps more importantly it is between 65 and 71% complete protein (and 85 to 95% digestible), compared to white fish 25% protein, chicken 25 -30% or lean beef 23%. Only dried egg powder has more usable protein. Indeed it’s an important point to make – some food sources are relatively high in protein but not readily digestible by us. For example, protein in brown rice is only 59% usable and that in beans is only 49% usable, Perhaps, that’s why the people in the TV show ‘I’m a Celebrity…’ seemed to suffer so much!
The algae is a source of all eight essential amino acids, as well as chelated minerals, natural plant sugars, trace minerals (such as potassium, calcium, zinc, magnesium, manganese, selenium, iron and phosphorus), as well as being rich in chlorophyll) and enzymes.
Still not convinced? Here are some more facts…
• Spirulina contains 100 times more Beta Carotene than Papaya and 25 times more than carrots
• The oils in Spirulina contain 3 times the amount of GLA than Evening Primrose Oil
• Spirulina contains 58 times more iron than spinach and is 28 times richer in iron than raw beef liver
It is one of the few plant sources of vitamin B12 with a teaspoon supplying more than twice the Recommended Daily Value which makes it an excellent food supplement for vegetarians, whose diets usually have a deficiency of vitamin B12.
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