Now that my 90 days of intense focus on working out and eating clean has been completed, I want to do some posts about different natural supplements and plants I’ve used over the years, and why they’re so healthy and beneficial.
One of the first I can remember taking since I was a kid – other than gross-tasting (but healthy) cod liver oil! – is spirulina. My mom was a big fan of blue-green alge, so spirulina and it’s close cousin chlorella were a staple part of the vitamin mix growing up.
You might know spirulina as a commercially produced algae which is a constant in superfood powders and smoothies, but it’s so much more than that! I took a deep dive to learn a bit more about what many claim to be one of the world’s most nutritious foods.
SPIRULINA BENEFITS
Removes heavy metals from the body- Helps prevent cancer
- Supports the immune system in the fight against HIV/AIDS
- Improves energy and assists with metabolic rate and weight loss
- Lowers the chance of a stroke
- Alleviates sinus issues
- Reduces cholesterol
- Lowers blood pressure
- Eliminates candida
- Diminishes many allergies
- Has strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties
- High in vitamins, fatty acids, and minerals
If that sounds like a panacea, well, that’s because it really is! And why it should be on everyone’s list of daily supplements.
NUTRITIONAL IMPACT
One of the reasons why is because as a microalgae which grows in warm waters around the world, it is extremely high in chlorophyll, which has numerous health benefits for the body. It removes heavy metals and toxins from the blood, such as mercury, cadmium, lead, and even DDT and PCBs. But it also helps the body to assimilate calcium and to balance other trace minerals.
Nutritionally, spirulina is packed with goodness. It’s about 70% protein (similar to crickets!), and also high in vitamin E, vitamin C, and beta carotene. It also contains many of the most important minerals, including calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, zinc, and manganese.
But what really sets it apart for anyone on a plant-based vegan or vegetarian diet, is that spirulina is loaded with vitamin B! One tablespoon of spirulina powder provides as much as 300% of the RDA for vitamin B.
Additionally, along with other blue-green algaes, spirulina is one of the best sources of GLA (gamma linolenic acid) which is a powerful fatty acid found in mother’s milk. This omega-6 fatty acid is important for cellular growth and development, along with reducing cholesterol and protecting the heart, but it is usually missing from most typical diets. Spirulina provides a simple solution.
WHERE TO BUY SPIRULINA
If you live in Europe or North America, you can probably get spirulina at your local organic foods grocery store, but it’s important to know where the algae was grown, and to get the purest powder possible. I have found that it’s possible to get spirulina in many developing countries as well, especially warmer tropical climates where it grows easily. I’ve even read about a company in Thailand that has begun utilizing vacant rooftops to grow microalgaes!
But wherever you are located, you can order spirulina online and have it delivered to you. This gives you an abundance of choice! One innovative company I’ve come in contact with recently is mixing spirulina with edible insects and making great combination products, is Future Food Shop.
Since they’ve got many insect-based products it’s a shop that I want to support. And I encourage you to as well – plus for a limited time you can get 10% off any order over £15.00, until April 30th! Just use the discount code ENTOVEGAN10 at checkout and you’ll save 10% off your entire order! Check out their spirulina products here.
