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| Introduction Spirulina is a single spiral cell blue green algae. The name “spirulina” comes from the Latin word “spira” which means spiral. Spirulina can grow up 300-500 microns in length or about half a millimeter in length, a size that can just barely be detected by the naked eye. Spirulina thrives in warm, brackish saline ponds. It grows so fast that it accounts for up to half of the oxygen on our planet. This simple, one-celled plant is one of the main bases of the food chain and of life on our planet. As a balanced health food, spirulina plays a critical role in preventing and improving the symptoms of illness. Spirulina is highly alkalising and so helps to restore the alkaline pH balance of the body’s tissues. |  | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Benefits of Spirulina I. For Human Spirulina contains over 100 vitamins (B-12 and others of the B-complex, E); minerals such as potassium, calcium zinc, magnesium, selenium, iron, and phosphorus; amino acids; digestive enzymes; phytonutrients; beta carotene; chlorophyll; and pigments that help liver fuction. In other words, spirulina contains five nutrients that our body needed: 1. Beneficial proteins Protein is a vital element in the composition of every part of our body. The quality of proteins in spirulina is determined by how well balanced the essential amino acids that the body cannot produce are. 2. ChlorophyllSpirulina also contains abundant amounts of natural pigments such as chlorophyll and light blue phycocyanin. Chlorophyll is very effective in the treatment of anemia and it can purify our bodies of toxins. 3. Vitamin B12Vitamin B12 is effective in improving liver and digestive system disorders as well as skin disorders and internal, harmful excretions. 4. Beta caroteneBeta carotene is an effective nutrient in the prevention of cancer. The amount of carotene required for a person in the prevention of cancer is 5-15 milligrams a day. Spirulina has 50 times the amount of carotene as chlorella, 10 times that of carrots and 60 times that of spinach. Some of the beta carotene in our bodies is converted to vitamin A, which is said to be often insufficient in the diet. Vitamin A also acts to protect the eyes and the respiratory system. 5. Linoleic acid and Linolenic acidSpirulina contains rich amount of linoleic acid and linolenic acid which are attracting attention particularly for their role in controlling cholesterol in the bloodstream. Linoleic and linolenic acids are substances that cannot be produced by the body. II. For Animals and Aqua Cultures ProductsThe benefit of spirulina is not only for human, but also for animals, such as aquarium fish, ornamental birds, cats, dogs, horses, cows. It can be mixed with anmals feed. 1. Fish feed Adding spirulina to fish feeds can improve skin color, growth rate and the smell of fish. Fish respond to its flavor, and have less abdominal fat. Fish grow faster, taste better and resist disease. Adding spirulina to fish feeds helps solve the two biggest problems for growers. First, farmed fish are susceptible to infection and disease. Second, the flavor, texture and skin color are often inferior to the wild fish. 2. Food for cats and dogsFor many species of exotic tropical fish, algae are an essential part of the diet. Spirulina promises five benefits for healthy aquarium fish: 1) Great profile of natural vitamins and minerals Feeding this algae will result in beautiful, healthy and longer lived tropical fish.2) Rich in muco-proteins for healthy skin 3) Phycocyanin for reduced obesity and better health 4) Essential fatty acids for proper organ development 5) Rich in natural coloring agents such as carotenoids. Spirulina is an excellent supplement for all cats and dogs, especially for nursing mothers and bottle-feed kittens and puppies. It can make healthy skin and lustrous coat. The dosage of spirulina powder by mixing with cats and dogs food: a pinch each day for small cats and kittens; for large cats and nursing mothers use 1/4 teaspoon. For small dogs use 1/4 teaspoon each day; medium dogs use ½ teaspoon; large dogs use 1 teaspoon; giant dogs 2 teaspoon or more. 3. Food for horses, cows, breeding bullsDairy farmers use spirulina to keep cows healthy by improving intestinal flora that is so important in ruminants. As a tonic for horses and cows, 1/2 ounce may be used twice a day for each 100 pounds of body weight by mixing in slightly dampened feed. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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III. For Medical 1. Anemia Anemia is a condition resulting from insufficient iron. Spirulina contains more iron than liver, and it also contains large amounts of proteins and blood-building chlorophyll. The digestion and absorption rate of iron is excellent, so spirulina is very effective in combating anemia. 2. DiabetesDiabetes is a disorder caused by an insufficiency in the hormone insulin. The main cause of insulin insufficiency is over-eating. It is important to prevent and improve the eating habits. We should avoid the intake of excessive calories, have a diet well-balanced in nutrients, and prevent the body from becoming acidic. 3. DietSpirulina effectives in preventing diabetes because it is low in calories, it contains large amounts of vitamin B1 which improves the metabolism of sugars, vitamin B2 which assists in the burning of calories that prevents obesity, vitamin B6 which creates insulin, and potassium which assists in the excretion of insulin and proteins lacking in people with diabetes. A method of dieting with spirulina is to take it 30 minutes to one hour prior to meal time. In that period before eating, the spirulina absorbs water and expands, suppressing the appetite and helping to prevent overeating. Spirulina is a food which contains generous amounts of various kinds of nutrients, so there is no concern that the body’s balance of nutrients will be upset by dieting. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
