uses of spirulina

We will discuss some of its uses as follows:-

• It is used as a dietary supplement of protein, Vitamin, Calcium, and Iron.
• Spirulina is used for treating the precancerous growth of mouth.
• It is used for increasing your immune system.
• If you are a regular consumer of Spirulina then your memory will be improved.
• It is used for reducing cholesterol in your body, thus, preventing heart diseases.

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Full Answer

Is spirulina good or bad?

While spirulina is safe, it’s important to be aware of potential dangers and to get it from a trusted and proven source. Many commercially-available brands of spirulina have low levels of heavy metals that do not fall within an unsafe range, according to a study published in the Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences in 2013.

Does spirulina really work?

Studies show that spirulina may be especially helpful in balancing blood sugar, and may even be as effective as diabetes medication in some instances. Other studies show that it not only lowers blood sugar but may also lower HbA1c, which is a long term marker of blood sugar levels. 4. Powerful Antioxidants

Why is Spirulina a superfood?

Spirulina is a good source of:

• Thiamine ( v itamin B1)
• Riboflavin ( v itamin B2)
• Niacin ( v itamin B3)
• Copper
• Iron

Can I use spirulina as a substitute for food?

Spirulina and other microalgae may be used as a source of protein and certain vitamins. However, Winchester Hospital notes that spirulina, while nutritious, can be expensive. There are more inexpensive sources of protein you can eat, such as legumes, nuts, grains and animal meat.

What is spirulina used for?

Spirulina is rich in a range of vitamins and minerals essential for maintaining a healthy immune system, like vitamins E, C, and B6. Research finds that spirulina also boosts the production of white blood cells and antibodies that fight viruses and bacteria in your body.

What happens when you take spirulina everyday?

For example, it can lower total cholesterol, “bad” LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, while raising “good” HDL cholesterol. In a study in 25 people with type 2 diabetes, 2 grams of spirulina per day significantly improved these markers ( 9 ).

What are the dangers of spirulina?

But Spirulina may become contaminated with toxic metals, harmful bacteria and microcystins — toxins produced from some algae —if it is grown in unsafe conditions. Contaminated Spirulina can cause liver damage, nausea, vomiting, thirst, weakness, rapid heartbeat, shock and even death.

Is spirulina good for skin?

Spirulina can boost the overall health and radiant appearance of your skin, as well as preventing acne build up and swelling. Rich in nutrients, vitamins and both fatty and amino acids, Spirulina decreases inflammation, tones the skin and encourages cell turnover to promote a more youthful-looking complexion[1].

Can spirulina cause weight gain?

Spirulina Calories and Nutrition It takes an extra 3,500 calories over and above your daily needs to gain a pound. A tablespoon of dried spirulina, which is how you're most likely to find it sold, contains only 20 calories, so it would take quite a bit of spirulina to cause weight gain.

What is the best time to take spirulina?

When should I take spirulina? Generally, it doesn't matter how and when you take spirulina, the supplement will still be effective. However, some specialists recommend taking it at least four hours before going to bed.

Is spirulina a multivitamin?

Spirulina supplements will not contain as many different vitamins and minerals as most multivitamins, and they aren't formulated to have an optimal amount of each vitamin and mineral so they may not consistently contain the same amounts of vitamins and minerals.

Can spirulina cause hair loss?

It may help keep your blood sugar levels in check. Since high blood sugar can lead to the production of DHT, a hormone that leads to hair loss, eating more spirulina is a great way to keep your hair intact and healthy. In addition to helping prevent hair loss, this algae powerhouse may also promote hair growth.

Which brand of spirulina is best?

5 best spirulina tablets in IndiaNow Foods Certified Organic Spirulina Tablets. Power. The power of each tablet is 1000mg. ... Parry Wellness Organic Spirulina tablets. Power. The power of each tablet is 500 mg. ... Himalayan Organics Spirulina. Power. ... Carbamide Forte Spirulina tablets. Power. ... Sunova organic spirulina tablets. Power.

Can I apply spirulina on my face?

For glowing skin spirulina powder to 1 tbsp. organic honey and mix it well. Apply this mask evenly on your cleansed face. Leave it on for 20 minutes and then wash it off with warm water.

Can spirulina brighten skin?

The antioxidants found in spirulina are four times the amount in most berries! What is this? It can help boost skin tone and complexion and leave you with that sought-after dewy glow.

Can you put spirulina in your hair?

You can take spirulina supplements or powder to gain its benefits for your hair, and it's also becoming incredibly popular in hair products, as well. Williams suggests adding spirulina to your shampoo and conditioner, or into your favorite hair mask.

What does spirulina do to the body?

Evidence suggests spirulina has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and cholesterol-lowering properties. It may help treat or manage con...

How does spirulina affect weight?

Research suggests spirulina can help reduce body fat, waist circumference, BMI, and appetite, which could make it useful as part of a weight-manage...

Is spirulina safe?

A person should always buy from a reputable source, check it has undergone testing, and follow the instructions on the label. It may not be safe du...

Why is spirulina digested easily?

3. Improving gut health. Spirulina can be digested easily because of its structure where the cells do not have tough, fibrous walls.

How much sodium is in spirulina?

73 mg of sodium. 0.7 mg of vitamin C. It also contains thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, folate, and vitamins B-6, A, and K. Taking spirulina, as part of a balanced diet, may help a person to stay well nourished. 2.

How long does it take for spirulina to lower cholesterol?

Researchers found that taking 1 g of spirulina every day reduced participant’s total cholesterol after 3 months. 6. Reducing blood pressure. As discussed above, spirulina may lower cholesterol, and there is also evidence that it could help control a person’s blood pressure.

Does spirulina help with cholesterol?

Studies suggest that spirulina supplements can reduce total cholesterol. Taking spirulina extract may help to lower cholesterol levels. Cholesterol is an unhealthful fat in a person’s blood that medical experts link to heart disease. A 2016 systematic review and meta-analysis.

Is spirulina a superfood?

Spirulina is a type of blue-green algae that people can take as a dietary supplement. People consider spirulina a superfood due to its excellent nutritional content and health benefits. Spirulina has a high protein and vitamin content, which makes it an excellent dietary supplement for people on vegetarian or vegan diets.

Does spirulina help with heart disease?

High blood pressure and cholesterol levels are both linked to heart disease. As spirulina may reduce both of these risk factors, is it possible that it could help prevent heart disease?

Is spirulina poisonous to humans?

In certain parts of the world, people are at risk of poisoning from contaminated drinking water and other sources of pollutants. Early research#N#Trusted Source#N#suggests that spirulina may offer a way to treat those affected.

What is spirulina good for?

Spirulina is rich in a range of vitamins and minerals essential for maintaining a healthy immune system , like vitamins E, C, and B6. Research finds that spirulina also boosts the production of white blood cells and antibodies that fight viruses and bacteria in your body.

What is the taste of spirulina?

Spirulina has a bitter taste, so people often mix it with yogurts, juices, and smoothies to improve its flavor. Spirulina is commonly available as a supplement at health food stores.

What did the Aztecs use to treat diseases?

The Aztecs also used spirulina to treat various diseases, and legends say that the kingdom’s messengers used the algae to sustain their marathon runs. Modern research supports many of the alleged benefits of taking spirulina, and continues to study its potential for treating health concerns.

Does spirulina help with triglycerides?

These are fats in your blood that can contribute to the hardening of arteries, increasing the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and pancreatitis . Spirulina increases nitric oxide production in your body as well, which helps your blood vessels relax.

Does spirulina cause cancer?

Chronic inflammation contributes to cancer and other diseases. Phycocyanin — the a plant pigment that gives spirulina its blue-green color — has been found to not only reduce inflammation in the body, but also block tumor growth and kill cancer cells.

Is spirulina a plant based protein?

Spirulina is a potent source of nutrients. It contains a powerful plant-based protein called phycocyanin. Research shows this may have antioxidant, pain-relief, anti-inflammatory, and brain-protective properties. This antioxidant and other nutrients in spirulina are linked with several health benefits:

Does spirulina help with cholesterol?

Heart Health. Research has found that the protein in spirulina can reduce the body’s absorption of cholesterol, lowering cholesterol levels. This helps keep your arteries clear, reducing strain on your heart that can lead to heart disease and stroke -causing blo od clots . Its protein also reduces triglyceride levels.

What is Spirulina?

Spirulina is a type of blue-green algae that grows in both salt and fresh water. Spirulina is not really a nutritional supplement, but an incredibly dense and complete food made from commercially cultivated microalgae.

What does Spirulina do?

Affecting people all over the globe, chronic arsenic toxicity is a problem. According to the World Health Organization, the U.S. is one of the countries affected by inorganic arsenic that is naturally present at high levels.

What is spirulina used for?

7 Everyday Ways to Use Spirulina. There are many ways to use spirulina other than just adding it to smoothies (although that’s one of our favorites!). This blue green algae superfood provides all nine essential amino acids, making it an excellent complete protein source.

How to use spirulina in smoothies?

For a basic smoothie, follow this simple formula: combine 1 cup liquid (e.g. water, juice, or milk), 1 cup leafy greens, 1 cup frozen fruit, and 2 teaspoons spirulina to a blender. Blend until smooth, and enjoy!

What is spirulina ice cream made of?

Created by a Registered Dietitian, this spirulina ice cream recipe is made from coconut milk, cacao nibs, agave syrup, and a touch of spirulina for a gorgeous green vegan dessert. You could even add mint extract for mint cacao chip ice cream.

Can you add spirulina powder to salad dressing?

“Eat your greens” takes on a whole new meaning when you add spirulina right to the dressing! Prepare a simple vinaigrette with olive oil and vinegar, and use 1 teaspoon of spirulina powder for each tablespoon of olive oil. Shake it up! You can even add spirulina to ready-made dressings, or simply sprinkle it over your salads before serving.

What is a spirulina plant?

Spirulina is a type of blue-green microalgae that is able to grow in both fresh and salt water and is consumed by humans and other animals. There are two species of the spirulina plant, including Arthrospira platensis and Arthrospira maxima.

Where is spirulina grown?

Grown around the world from Mexico to Africa to even Hawaii, spirulina is renowned for its intense flavor and even more powerful nutrition profile.

What is the difference between chlorella and spirulina?

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. 3.

How much spirulina should I take daily?

A common question when first trying out this incredible ingredient is: how much spirulina should I take daily? Although there’s no standard spirulina dosage, most studies have found a beneficial effect when consuming 1–8 grams per day. For reference, one tablespoon of blue spirulina is about 7 grams.

How long do rabbits need spirulina?

A recent animal study published in The Journal of Nutritional Science and Vitaminology took rabbits, fed them a high-cholesterol diet (HCD) containing 0.5 percent cholesterol for four weeks, and then fed them a HCD with 1 percent or 5 percent spirulina for an additional eight weeks.

What is the shape of a spirulina?

Shape. First of all, spirulina is a spiral-shaped, multi-celled plant with no true nucleus. It’s blue-green in hue and can grow up to 100 times the size of chlorella. Comparably, chlorella is a spherical-shaped single-celled microorganism with a nucleus and is solid green. 2. How It’s Grown.

Which is healthier, chlorella or spirulina?

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.

Does spirulina help with cancer?

Whether or not spirulina can protect against cancer in humans is still very much untested however, it contains plenty of good antioxidants. A number of in vitro and animal studies have suggested that spirulina has the potential to boost immunity and increase the production of infection fighting proteins and antibodies. These actions may help the body ward off chronic illnesses like cancer and other infections.

Does spirulina help with weight loss?

Spirulina is a rich source of proteins and diets which are high in proteins and nutrients like spirulina can help stimulate weight loss and reduce body fat. Protein requires more energy in order to metabolize and helps maintain the body’s lean tissue which also contributes to the way fat is burned.

Does spirulina help with blood pressure?

As well as reducing your cholesterol levels, spirulina can also help keep blood pressure under control. According to research done in Japan, pigment found in spirulina called phycocyanin has antihypertensive properties. (7)