What is Spirulina and Its Benefits

If there's one 100% natural product recognized worldwide for health, beauty, and overall well-being, it's spirulina.

Spirulina is a single-celled blue-green alga, scientifically known as cyanobacteria. Its name comes from its unique shape; under a microscope, you can see a tiny green spiral.

Globally, spirulina is acknowledged as a superfood. What does that mean? It's not just an alga but a valuable natural protein-vitamin-mineral cocktail, with the nutritional content of 1 gram equivalent to 1 kilogram of vegetables. Spirulina contains vitamins such as 100 times more Vitamin B1 than beef, 25 times more Vitamin A than carrots, and 100 times more bioavailable iron than apples. It also contains a small amount of iodine.

Benefits of Spirulina

Besides providing the body with essential nutrients needed for the proper functioning of all organs and systems, spirulina offers a wide range of benefits:

1. Antioxidant Properties: It binds free radicals, removes radionuclides, and heavy metal salts from the body, acting as a potent anti-cancer agent.
2. Cytoprotective Properties: It activates the cells' ability to function correctly and self-renew.
3. Immune System Boost: Spirulina activates the body's immune system, enhancing resistance to viruses, bacteria, fungi, and other pathogenic microorganisms.
4. Heart Health: With its high iron content, regular spirulina intake supports heart health, prevents anemia and atherosclerosis, and effectively prevents thrombosis.
5. Digestive Aid: Spirulina positively affects the digestive system, accelerates the healing of erosions, fights gastrointestinal irritations, and can help with heartburn.
6. Anti-Aging Effect: It slows down the appearance of gray hair, helps maintain youthful skin, a healthy hair shine, and strong nails.
7. Weight Loss Support: Spirulina is low in fats and calories but contains an amino acid that suppresses appetite, making it an excellent addition to weight loss diets.
8. Energy Booster: Due to its high protein content, spirulina energizes the body, enhances physical activity, and boosts the body's recovery abilities.

Reasons to Take Spirulina

Vitamins and minerals are essential for everyone, and a convenient, rich source of micronutrients is valuable for anyone striving for good health and appearance. However, there are specific aspects of spirulina intake worth emphasizing:

1. Women's Health: Spirulina is especially beneficial for women. As a rich iron source, it helps prevent iron deficiency, anemia, low hemoglobin, weakness, and lack of energy. It's also beneficial for women planning pregnancy, as it prepares the body for the significant event with its rich vitamin and mineral content. Additionally, this superfood helps normalize metabolism and slow down aging processes.

2. Weight Loss: Nutritionists recommend spirulina for weight loss. Successful weight loss requires a comprehensive approach, including a balanced diet, physical activity, and possibly supplements and superfoods. Spirulina can help by providing a sense of fullness and supporting the body with vitamins without excess sugar and calories. It contains phenylalanine, an amino acid beneficial for weight loss.

3. Skin and Beauty: Spirulina powder is often used in face masks and other cosmetic products due to its significant skin benefits. In cosmetics, spirulina:

   • Eliminates oily skin shine.
   • Helps skin cells retain moisture.
   • Enhances the regenerative abilities of facial skin.

   When making homemade spirulina masks, it's recommended to mix it with other ingredients in a 1/5 ratio, as it has a mild warming effect that may not be beneficial for facial capillaries. Spirulina masks are easy to wash off, don't cause skin tightness, and have an anti-inflammatory effect, leaving the skin fresh, firm, and glowing.

4. Children's Health: Many nutritionists consider spirulina the best vitamin supplement for children, containing over 50 active micronutrients. How to give spirulina to children? Doctors agree that it should be given cautiously, as it can cause allergies like any natural product. Children better absorb spirulina paste at a ratio of 1 gram of paste per 10 kilograms of body weight, which can be added to smoothies, porridge, juice, or yogurt. Always read the instructions before giving spirulina to a child.

How to Take Spirulina

For those always on the go, spirulina capsules are a great option. One capsule or tablet before meals provides the necessary vitamin boost. For those with time and inspiration, there are many recipes with spirulina – smoothies, fruit cocktails, bowls, porridge, and even baked goods. Vegetarians also benefit from spirulina, as it helps compensate for nutrients found in meat products.

When taking spirulina, remember two key points:

• If you aim to lose weight, take the superfood before meals.
• If you want to gain muscle mass and seek protein support for workouts, take it immediately after meals.

When Spirulina Can Be Harmful

Even superfoods have pros and cons. Spirulina can cause individual intolerance and allergies. It boosts the immune system, making it unsuitable for people with autoimmune diseases. Spirulina may reduce the effectiveness of immunosuppressants used for certain conditions and post-transplantation to prevent rejection. It's also not recommended for use with blood-thinning medications. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid spirulina.