Spirulina FAQs

WHAT IS SPIRULINA?

Spirulina is a blue-green algae, which gets its name from its spiral shape. It contains the most remarkable concentration of nutrients known in any food, plant, grain or herb.

 

IS SPIRULINA A KIND OF PLANT?

Spirulina is a kind of microalgae, the tiny aquatic cousin to seaweed and kelp. It’s actually not a plant at all but a member of the bacteria kingdom, Cyanobacteria to be exact, that’s naturally found in salt water and bodies of fresh water. It’s a diet mainstay for many varieties of fish, making it a key part of the food chain. 

But, just like plants, cyanobacteria can produce energy from sunlight via a process called Photosynthesis.

 

WHAT DOES SPIRULINA CONTAIN?

With over 100 nutrients, Spirulina is often described as the most complete food source in the world. The American National Aeronautical and Space Agency includes it in their astronauts diet and plans to grow Spirulina in it’s space station. It’s easy to see why.

Japan has some good examples of some Japanese seniors who have only relied on Spirulina and water for more than 20 years showing how good is Spirulina for the human body.

  

WHO SHOULD TAKE SPIRULINA?

  • Children who don’t like or get enough vegetables and or have an imbalanced food intake.
  • Teenagers during their rapid growing period need a sufficient injection of nutrients. Spirulina is ideal for this.
  • Pregnant mums who need extra nutrients.
  • Seniors who have difficulty in having reasonable average 3 meals per day.
  • Sport lovers or athletics who need extra nutrients to keep their energy levels up.
  • Modern busy people who don't have the time to eat good meals.
  • Patients or people who need high volumes of nutrients to assist recovery (please consult your doctor)
  • Vegetarians who require extra nutrient sources

 

WHO SHOULDN'T TAKE "TOO MUCH" SPIRULINA?

  • People with Autoimmune Disorder.
  • People with Hyperparathyroidism.
  • People who are taking Blood Thinner medications.
  • People who have SERIOUS allergies to seafood or seaweed.
  • Patients currently experiencing high fever.

 

HOW MUCH SPIRULINA SHOULD BE TAKEN?

We advise a daily dose of 3 to 6 capsules. However, some people might already benefit from 2 to 3 capsules per day, while others will need 6 capsules or more. Generally speaking, when someone is very physically active or is working under great pressure, his or her body will need more nutrients, so the dose of Spirulina should be increased. Other examples when it is recommended to increase the dose is during or after illness or after an operation. We know users who, for example, practice a lot of sports, and take about 20 capsules. You can gradually increase the dose, which promotes and speeds up recovery.

 

HOW SHOULD SPIRULINA BE TAKEN?

  • Take only with cold or warm water, (not juice, soft drinks, coffee or tea)
  • After taking Spirulina, avoid alcohol, soft drinks or coffee for 30 minutes as these drinks can destroy some of the Spirulina nutrients and enzymes
  • Take at least an extra half liter of water a day
  • It doesn't matter if you take it once a day or twice a day, so long as you take enough for a day.

 

CAN I TAKE IT ALONG WITH MY "MAINTENANCE" MEDICINES?

There are no reports in the scientific literature to suggest that Spirulina interacts with any conventional medications. However, it is possible that Spirulina might interfere with drugs given to suppress the immune system.

People taking drugs to lower their blood sugar or cholesterol levels can also take Spirulina. Just make sure to monitor these levels to not go 'too low'.

 

ARE THERE ANY SIDE EFFECTS WHEN TAKING SPIRULINA?

None. Spirulina is not medication, but a nutrient. Just as you do not experience any side effects from eating fresh fruit and vegetables, you will not experience any side effects when using Spirulina. At first, some people can experience a rash, mild nausea, stomach pains or headaches from Spirulina. This is common in people whose metabolism is not working properly and in people who are taking, or have taken, many medicines. However, these reactions are a positive sign and are linked to the powerful cleansing power of Spirulina (the soaking off of toxic and waste products in the body). If this is the case, you can stop taking the tablets for a few days, or temporarily lower the dose, which causes the cleansing process to progress more gradually. Afterwards, the dose can be slowly increased again. Normally, these reactions will disappear by themselves after a few days.

 

IS SPIRULINA A FOOD ? OR A MEDICINE?

As we all know, some of our illnesses are caused by having insufficient nutrients in our body. These illnesses are just the symptoms to show us that we may be lacking in some nutrients. If we replenish these nutrients in time, the symptoms usually disappear. If not, we can lower the function of our immune system causing further problems.

In most cases people will go to consult their doctor and may be prescribed some medicine.

Spirulina is not a medicine, but when used as a good source of supplementary food, you can avoid nutrient deficiencies causing illness In most cases people will go to consult their doctor and may be prescribed some medicine.

The topic of Spirulina is currently quite hot for it's therapeutic applications. Medical research has already shown that Spirulina can provide benefits to our body.

Spirulina can help you to have reasonable levels of nutrients in your body, which will in turn give you less of the chance to get sick.

 

HOW DOES SPIRULINA BENEFIT THE HUMAN BODY?

Spirulina contains all the nutrients that the human body needs. A deficiency of any of these nutrients would compromise the proper functioning of our body. There are several peer reviewed scientific studies about Spirulina's ability to inhibit viral reproduction, strengthen both the cellular and the immune system, and cause regression and inhibition of cancers.

 

HOW DOES SPIRULINA STRENGTHEN OUR IMMUNE SYSTEM?

Spirulina is a powerful tonic for the immune system. The phytonutrients, responsible for strengthening the immune system are beta carotene, phycocyanin and polysaccharides. Published studies from all over the world feeding mice, hamsters, chickens, turkeys, cats, fish and even humans, confirm Spirulina improves immune system function.

Medical scientists discovered that it not only stimulates the immune system, it actually enhances the body's ability to generate new blood cells. Important parts of the immune system, bone marrow stem cells, macrophages, T-cells and natural killer cells, spleen and thymus glands - all show enhanced activity. Scientists observe Spirulina causes macrophages to increase in number, become activated and more effective in killing germs.

 

HOW DOES SPIRULINA ENHANCE CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH AND HELP LOWER CHOLESTEROL?

Animal nutrition studies in Mexico, Argentina, Japan and India found the same cholesterol lowering benefits and an improvement in heart artery function for lower blood pressure. Published scientific studies with men in Japan and India showed several grams of Spirulina daily can lower cholesterol. These studies suggest spirulina will reduce serum LDL (Low Density Lipoproteins - the bad cholesterol) and raise HDL (High Density Lipoproteins - the good cholesterol).

Human studies in Germany and India found a weight reduction effect along with cholesterol reduction. All these studies indicate Spirulina is a useful supplement for cardiovascular health and for lowering cholesterol.

 

HOW DIGESTIBLE IS SPIRULINA?

Spirulina builds soft cell walls from a network of proteins, polysaccharides and enzymes. It just melts away inside your body. This is important for those who suffer from poor digestion, or for older people with restricted diets.

 

ENZYMES ARE IMPORTANT. HOW CAN SPIRULINA BUILD OUR BODY'S ENZYME SYSTEM?

Enzymes in our bodies digest our food, cut, paste and repair our DNA and power our critical body systems. It's always good to enhance our diet with raw foods like fresh fruit, vegetables and juices, which are rich in natural living enzymes. Dehydrated super foods like Spirulina still have natural enzymes present. More importantly, Spirulina has building blocks such as minerals, phytonutrients, antioxidants and polysaccharides that trigger our bodies own enzyme systems to flourish and perform their many tasks.

 

HOW DOES SPIRULINA HELP IN WEIGHT LOSS?

Spirulina is not a weight loss product, but it offers an excellent natural support in the struggle against putting on weight. Most weight loss products focus on eating less. But by eating less, you will also get less nutrients.

Spirulina makes sure that the body receives enough nutrients. Spirulina can help control and maintain your weight without artificial cures. You will receive natural nutrients in concentrated form without excess calories, which will keep you healthier and make you feel less hungry. Losing weight without feeling tired or listless is much easier to keep up! Spirulina half an hour before your meal, so your body will get the necessary nutrients.

Because Spirulina is easily digestible, these building materials will be quickly transported to the blood. The brain’s hunger center will then receive a message via the blood that all nutrients are present, which makes your feeling of hunger disappear.

The advantage is that Spirulina is 100% natural, without any harmful substances. Spirulina is also filled with iron, which is lacking in many low-calorie diets. Finally, Spirulina contains an extraordinary low quantity of calories and kilojoules (only 7 calories or 27 kilojoules per 6 tablets).

 

HOW CHLOROPHYLL IN SPIRULINA BENEFIT PEOPLE?

Chlorophyll in Spirulina helps to sanitize the bowel by detoxifying and cleansing the colon and intestines. In addition, the chlorophyll helps to coat the irritable stomach lining, thus aiding the relieve symptoms of gastric ulcers and inhibit ulceration. It also acts as a functional food, feeding beneficial intestinal bacteria, especially Lactobacillus and Bifidus. By maintaining a healthy population of these bacteria, Spirulina reduces digestion and constipation problems caused by pathogens like E.coli and Candida.

 

CAN SPIRULINA BALANCE OUR BODY WITH GOOD HEALTH?

It grows in very alkaline waters. It is considered an alkaline food, and will help your body toward more alkalinity. Its a great balancer for any diet filled with acidic foods like sugar, coffee, soda, alcohol or meat. A balanced system will strengthen your health and increase resistance to disease.

 

CAN I COOK WITH SPIRULINA?

No! It loses important properties when cooked so always add it to food, drinks and smoothies uncooked.

 

CAN CHILDREN TAKE SPIRULINA?

Spirulina is just a food and can be given to children. In fact, it’s a great benefit to children who don’t like to eat vegetables. Spirulina will provide their bodies with the right vitamins and minerals which they are lacking at that moment. Spirulina can be given from birth. The powder can be easily mixed in a milk formula, smoothie or a shake. Depending on the age of the child, the dosage should be decreased from that of an adult which is one teaspoon or six 500mg Spirulina Filipina Capsules or 12 pcs. in 250mg. tablet.

 

CAN PREGNANT WOMAN TAKE SPIRULINA?

Yes. As Spirulina has a high nutritional value, it is nutritional for both the mother and her unborn child. In addition, it provides the mother with extra proteins, such as iron, without the extra fat and carbohydrates. You do not have to worry about a vitamin A overdose, as Spirulina contains the provitamin A beta-carotene. Beta-carotene is transformed by the body into vitamin A, as soon as the body recognizes there is any insufficiency. If the body has sufficient vitamin A, the beta-carotene is simply excreted. This is how it is different from vitamin A, of which a surplus can be stored in the liver which can cause an overdose.

 

HOW CAN SPIRULINA HELP WITH COMPLAINTS ABOUT MENOPAUSE?

Nutrition can have a positive effect on typical menopausal complaints. Because of the valuable characteristics contained in nutrition, complaints can become bearable or even disappear. Spirulina is a 100% natural nutritional source which provides good support during menopause. Spirulina makes fatigue and listlessness decrease, so complaints of hot flushes, muscle pains, and headache become less severe.

 

HOW DOES SPIRULINA INFLUENCE YOUR SKIN?

Spirulina has a cleansing action which removes waste products from the body. By means of a well functioning metabolism, the blood is purified, which gives you clear, healthy skin. Spirulina contains nutrients which are necessary for keeping your hair, skin, and nails in optimal condition, such as iron and the vitamins B and E.

 

CAN I GIVE SPIRULINA TO MY PETS?

Yes, of course! Spirulina are not only for humans, our furry loved ones can take it too. These are some of the key benefits that Spirulina can do with our pets, as well as us humans:

  • It can strengthen their Immune System.

  • It can cleanse the body of Toxins.

  • It can improve Digestion and Gastrointestinal health.

  • It can improve overall Skin & Coat health.

Spirulina is also found to be a highly nutritious potential feed resource for many agriculturally important animal species.

Research findings have associated Spirulina to improvements in animal growth, fertility, aesthetic and nutritional product quality.

Spirulina intake has also been linked to an improvement in animal health and welfare. Its influence over animal development stems from its nutritive and protein-rich composition, thus leading to an increased commercial production to meet consumer demand.