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Spirulina, an ancient staple food of the Azetacs and Mesoamericans is now sold as a food supplement in the health food stores.
Natural and highly nutritious, Spirulina, is a blue green algae is rich in proteins (60%), essential amino acids, essential fatty acids, GLA (Gamma-linoleic acid), nucleic acids (DNA and RNA), beta-carotene(pro-vitamin A) and vitamins B, C, & E.
It’s outstanding nutritional profile, high protein and low calorie count makes it a ‘superfood’.
Centuries ago, the Aztecs and the Mayas realised the healing properties of Spirulina and enjoyed this superb source of vegetable nutrition as a ‘power-food’ to boost their energy levels and enhance their stamina.
Recent scientific research has revealed numerous health benefits of this ‘super-food’.
It has also been shown to suppress appetite and help weight watchers. Its high beta-carotene content helps in maintaining good skin and hair.
A study conducted at the J.C. Bose Institute of Life Sciences, Bundelkhand University, Jhansi, India, published in Journal Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology in 2005, reported that spirulina improves the activity of white blood cells, stimulates antibodies and increases the population of natural killer cells.
Anti-oxidant and liver protective properties of spirulina were also reported by a Joint Indian and Malaysian study published in the December 2008 in the International Journal of Integrative Biology.
Spirulina’s concentrated nutrition makes it an ideal food supplement for people of all ages and lifestyles, fussy eaters and specially those who do not manage to eat adequate amount of vegetables.
However, pregnant and lactating women and people suffering from any illness, allergies to seafood or seaweed or hyperparathyroidism must consult their physician.
However, if the water is polluted or contaminated with heavy metals, it is not suitable for spirulina cultivation as these metals and toxins will get highly concentrated in the spirulina plant and make it unsuitable for human consumption.
Hence, the source and purity of spirulina is critical.
Commercially, spirulina is available as a powder, tablet, capsule and health tonics.
(The author is a clinical nutritionist, Founder of www.theweightmonitor.com, Whole Foods India and Founder President of Celiac Society of India.)
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Published: 27 Jun 2015,02:46 PM IST