The Algae That’s All the Rave

What’s inexperienced, tastes just like the ocean and is completely filled with the potential to maintain your physique working at top-notch?  

If you have been considering seaweed or sea moss, you’re heading in the right direction. Another superfood straight out of the water is gaining a whole lot of consideration recently — and its well being advantages are actually turning heads. 

The algae spirulina has been lauded for hundreds of years for its excessive dietary worth, being referred to as, amongst different issues, one of many “most nutrient-dense foods.” Believed to have first been utilized in historic Aztec civilizations, spirulina has more recently been used as a dietary complement for NASA astronauts on house missions.   

“Spirulina is considered one of the oldest plants on Earth,” says registered dietitian Beth Czerwony, RD. “It’s been used in people for a very long time and has been shown to have some very exciting health benefits.” 

But even with all its promise, spirulina will not be a good selection for everybody and shouldn’t be taken in excessive doses.  

Czerwony breaks down the varied well being advantages of spirulina and whether or not you would possibly wish to think about including it to your vitamin routine. 

What is spirulina? 

Spirulina comes from a blue-green algae plant present in oceans and salty lakes. It’s sometimes offered as a powder or as a pill complement and is wealthy with good-for-you vitamins, like:

• Iron.  
• Beta-carotene. 
• Non-animal protein. 

The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) doesn’t approve dietary supplements. But it does regard spirulina as “generally recognized as safe” and approves the usage of spirulina as a colorant and for use in meals like cereals and beverage mixes.

What are the well being advantages of spirulina? 

There is a growing body of research supporting spirulina’s constructive results on individuals. Even extra advantages have been proven in animal fashions which will translate to people. Czerwony says the proof up to now factors to a number of causes to be excited concerning the well being advantages of spirulina.  

1. It’s a strong antioxidant 

People are at all times raving concerning the antioxidant results of blueberries, avocados, salmon and extra. You can add spirulina to that record. 

“Antioxidants have this wonderful ability to go in and beat up on free radicals, which are essentially poisons that we come in contact with in our everyday lives,” Czerwony explains. “Antioxidants reduce inflammation in our bodies, which can decrease the chances of a whole host of diseases.” 

Chronic irritation has been linked to a spread of ailments, together with 

Spirulina’s antioxidative properties are among the many causes it’s utilized by astronauts. (Interestingly, irritation has been shown to be a significant well being danger of house life.) 

2. It might assist cut back cancerous tumors 

At least one scientific study confirmed that spirulina can be utilized to shrink tumors in individuals residing with oral cancer. In that examine, only one gram of spirulina per day for a 12 months lowered cancerous tumors in 45% of analysis members.  

“It’s very promising that potentially this could be something we could recommend in the future,” Czerwony says. “When you see this evidence that spirulina may actually be killing cancer cells, I would think that one day there could be a very useful place for spirulina as a preventative measure against cancer as well.” 

3. It’s good to your coronary heart 

Spirulina’s anti-inflammatory properties have been proven to have some spectacular advantages to your coronary heart. One study confirmed that folks with heart disease who took spirulina confirmed enhancements in blood cholesterol and triglycerides. They had decrease LDL (“bad”) ldl cholesterol and better HDL (“good”) ldl cholesterol.    

“When we think about anti-inflammatory foods, we’re always thinking about heart health because we know that inflammation can lead to plaque formation and hardening of the arteries,” Czerwony says. “So, if you already have high cholesterol, there’s some promise that spirulina is going to help. It could also potentially be used proactively if you’re at risk for heart disease.”  

4. It might assist relieve your seasonal allergy symptoms 

For people who find themselves allergic to pollen, ragweed, animals and extra, research has proven that common use of spirulina might assist relieve your runny nostril.

“This is a really interesting finding because seasonal allergies are quite common, and some people don’t tolerate allergy medications well or would just prefer a more holistic option to control their symptoms,” Czerwony notes. 

5. It can enhance dental well being 

Spirulina is antimicrobial and antibacterial (which means it could possibly kill off — or at the least cease the expansion of — micro organism and different invaders). One study put its germ-killing energy to the take a look at with spirulina-laced mouthwash. Results confirmed individuals who swished with spirulina confirmed “significant reduction in dental plaque and gingivitis (gum disease).” 

Who shouldn’t take spirulina? 

For all its promising results, spirulina will not be a good selection for everybody, Czerwony cautions. You ought to discuss with a healthcare supplier, like your common practitioner or a nutritionist, earlier than taking spirulina. 

That’s as a result of there are some individuals who ought to keep away from spirulina or at the least be cautious of it. That consists of individuals who: 

• Are pregnant or breastfeeding (chestfeeding). 
• Have a compromised immune system. 
• Have diabetes. 
• Have a blood disorder.  
• Are allergic to shellfish or different seafood.  
• Have an intolerance to iodine.  
• Are residing with phenylketonuria (PKU) — a uncommon genetic situation the place individuals have a buildup of the amino acid phenylalanine. 

How so as to add spirulina to your eating regimen 

If you’re trying so as to add spirulina to your life, you’ll wish to go simple on it. After all, an excessive amount of of a very good factor may be … properly, an excessive amount of. It’s beneficial to take not more than 8 grams of spirulina per day — that’s a bit of greater than two teaspoons.  

Spirulina powder may be added to your favourite smoothie, or strive sprinkling it in your guacamole, hummus or pesto. 

Some persons are delay by the style of spirulina, although, even in small quantities. Remember, it’s a sea plant, so the style may be described as earthy or fishy, which will not be for everybody. 

If the style of spirulina isn’t your jam, Czerwony suggests speaking with a healthcare supplier about over-the-counter spirulina dietary supplements as a substitute. 

“Whole foods are always the preferred source of nutrients,” Czerwony says. “But if you can’t tolerate the taste of it, the capsule form is a good alternative.”