What do you know about spirulina

The spirulina It has become a fashionable food that is included in numerous preparations in supplement form due to its great nutritional richness, so much so that natural exploitation is not capable of meeting the great demand of the market. But the truth is that its consumption dates back to the Aztecs of Lake Texcoco or the Kanembu population of Lake Chad. But what is spirulina and where is it sourced from?

What is spirulina?

Spirulina is a cyanobacteria greenish-blue in color, capable of photosynthesis that grows in highly mineralized stagnant waters and in alkaline soils at a certain temperature. It can be said that spirulina is descendant of the first photosynthetic life form Arisen more than 3,500 million years ago, which is responsible for releasing oxygen through the filtration of carbon dioxide and gives way to the evolution of other forms of life.

Its wide spectrum of nutrients makes it one of the richer nutritional cocktails to health.

Composition and nutrients

Spirulina is an easily accessible combination of nutrients due to spirulina's fragile cell wall that make it highly digestible. It consists of the following composition:

• Protein: the amount of protein varies from 55 to 70% of the dry weight depending on the strains and the growing conditions. Provides the 8 essential amino acids in the appropriate proportions and easily assimilated. It stands out in tryptophan, an amino acid related to the nervous system, relaxation, rest, sleep ...
• Lipids: represent 5 to 10% of the total dry weight. Palmitic acid stands out mainly, but also linoleic acid and gamma linolenic acid.
• Carbohydrates: represents 15 to 25% of the dry weight of spirulina derived from the cell membrane.
• Vitamins: B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B8, B9, analogous to B12, beta-carotene, D, E (tocopherols), K. All of them are vitamins that play an important role in energy production and in the formation of red blood cells.
• Minerals and trace elements: calcium, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, iron, zinc, selenium, copper, chromium, manganese, sodium, iodine.
• Phytonutrients and antioxidant enzymes: superoxide dismutase (SOD), chlorophyll A, carotenoids.
• Pigments: chlorophyll and phycocyanin, which is responsible for capturing light energy.

10 Benefits of spirulina

Studies on spirulina have multiplied in recent years and are revealing the benefits it has for health:

• Combat tiredness and mental fatigue: Due to the great load of vitamins, minerals and trace elements they help to mitigate weakness.
• Activates the body's detoxification mechanisms, helping organs such as the kidneys and liver in their tasks of cleaning and eliminating toxins.
• Has lipid-lowering and anti-inflammatory properties.
• Ally of sight: thanks to its high concentration of beta-carotenes, spirulina acts as a powerful ally for the health of our eyes.
• Help in anemic states: due to its contribution of iron together with the synergy with other trace elements, it is highly recommended in cases of demineralization and anemic states and excessive fatigue after its good organic assimilation.
• Ally in weight control- It can regulate metabolism and reduce appetite naturally, without resorting to any questionable chemicals for the same purpose.
• Benefit at the level of the intestinal flora: thanks to its content in.
• Helps the immune system against bacteria and viruses.
• Support for athletes- Helps improve endurance and athletic performance, promotes muscle recovery, and reduces cramps and fatigue in general. For all the synergies mentioned above.
• Powerful antioxidant- It is an excellent source of antioxidants such as beta-carotene, phycocyanin, vitamin E, zinc, selenium, and superoxide dismutase.

How to take it?

Spirulina is marketed in the form of capsules, tablets, granules or powder to mix in food or liquid beverages. It can also be purchased fresh or dried to use in culinary preparations. The usual dose is 3 to 5 grams per day; in athletes it can be increased up to 10 g / day according to needs and season.

Do you have any contraindications?

Spirulina is usually well tolerated without causing specific problems. In some occasions can give intestinal discomfort or headaches. To avoid this, the dose must be increased gradually. Not recommended the consumption of spirulina in cases of hyperuricemia, phenylketonuria, hyperthyroidism, or autoimmune diseasesas it is possible that it may interfere with drugs administered to suppress the immune system. Its use is not recommended either. during pregnancy and lactation. Always before taking any nutritional supplement.

• Spirulina is a true "cocktail" of good quality nutrients that make it a very suitable nutritional supplement for various health situations.
• It is an ally in anemic states, tiredness, fatigue, in athletes, for weight control ... Spirulina is marketed in the form of capsules, tablets, granules or powder to mix in food or liquid beverages.

INFORMATIVE NOTE

”

Alessandra huerta Nutrition Specialist and Naturopath