What is spirulina?
Let’s start with some basics:
Spirulina's original habitat
Spirulina is a one-celled blue-green algae (formally: a cyanobacteria) that originally grows in alkaline waters, so it can be found in seas, freshwater rivers or lakes
What does spirulina need?
Spirulina can manufacture its own food from sunlight, CO2, and some other nutrients, meanwhile producing oxygen
What's in a name?
Algy uses a specific spirulina species: Arthrospira platensis, which indicates the typical cylindrical half-open helix strain. The longer the strains, the healthier the spirulina is
What’s in it?
Protein and all essential amino acids
Spirulina has a uniquely high protein content: typically between 60-70% on a dry matter basis, which is higher than beef or tofu, making it among the most protein-dense foods known today. What is more, spirulina contains all essential amino acids, which are the building blocks for protein synthesis
Antioxidants
Another unique spirulina trait is its high dosage of antioxidants, more specifically phycocyanin, which helps fight free radicals in the body and decreases the production of inflammatory processes. This means: it helps the body to protect itself against internal and external influences that may impede the body’s proper functioning. By the way: The phycocyanin is the pigment that gives spirulina its blue-ish colour. The green comes from chlorophyll. This is what makes the spirulina able to ‘harvest’ sunlight. Chlorophyll is used as a health supplement, which is not weird, because we all know that greens are good for you
Good fatty stuff
Spirulina is a great source of polyunsaturated fatty acids (including omega 6 and 3 in the desired ratio of 1:1.5), although chlorella (another algae species) contains even higher amounts. We’re working on also adding chlorella to our Algy store
Already convinced that spirulina is superfood?!
What about vitamins and minerals?
Beta carotene
Your body makes vitamine A from this provitamine. Beta carotene is also an antioxidant and it is good for your immunity, eyes and for healthy skin. And our spirulina contains way more of this provitamine than carrots!
Iron
As spirulina is high in iron, it is very suitable for people with iron deficiency. Combining the spirulina with fruits high in vitamine C helps your body absorb the iron better. (And there is already vitamine C in the spirulina itself)
B vitamins
B vitamins play a role in making energy available out of food, which means spirulina can actually help you feel more energetic. Especially more plant- and vegetarian-focused diets can get some extra needed nutrients through spirulina. Note that spirulina does not contain vitamin B12 to the levels your body needs
The list goes on
Manganese, magnesium, sodium, zinc, copper, potassium, calcium, vitamine C, E, K and smaller amounts of almost all other nutrients you may need. Spirulina has a little bit of almost anything, making it a nice building block for your daily nutrients intake
Give me one more fact:
Spirulina boosts the immune system
Research indicates that spirulina boosts a body’s immune system, promoting the activity of natural killer cells and improves the growth of beneficial intestinal microbiota
Mind you:
We’re not doctors or certified dietitians, but there’s plenty of research on actual or potential health benefits of spirulina. Further reading here. Or if you like some heavy reading here.
Always consult your doctor if you’re unsure what the health risks or benefits of spirulina are for you. Spirulina's benefits to healthy people (for example the known boost to the immune system) may have an adverse impact on for example medication used for auto-immune diseases