If you eat an average American diet, you're likely missing out on one of nature's greatest sources of extraordinary nutrition.
Unlike common plants you may grow in your garden, this "superfood" is a form of blue-green algae that grows in warm, fresh and salt water.
Different varieties of algae grace the tables of many countries, especially Japan, where people consume more of it than anywhere else in the world.
This particular simple, single-celled, blue-green alga acquired its name from the Latin word for helix, meaning spiral, due to its spring-like physical characteristic. Its scientific name is Arthrospira platensis, and it belongs to the cyanobacteria family.
This algae superfood is spirulina, and scientists have hailed its many purported benefits for total body health.*
While similar in makeup to sea vegetables, such as dulse, kelp, nori, kombu, arame, wakame and chlorella, spirulina has been shown to be more easily digestible and have greater nutrient bioavailability.
Superfood to Help Curb World Hunger and Nourish Astronauts
The use of spirulina as a food source dates back to Chad (Africa) in the ninth century.
It’s also believed spirulina was used by the Aztecs in 16th-century Mexico. Spanish conquistador and explorer, Hernan Cortes, was said to have bought dried cakes, called “dihe,” for his soldiers that were made from spirulina harvested in the Lake Texcoco region of Mexico.
However, spirulina didn't come into commercial production until the 1970s, when a French company began the first large-scale spirulina production plant. Within a few years, America and Japan began producing their own.
Today, due to its nutritional profile and unique ability to withstand extreme temperatures and neglect, spirulina is considered a sustainable food source with the potential to curb world hunger.
In fact, the United Nations has identified spirulina as a primary ingredient in the fight against malnutrition worldwide.
Spirulina is so nutritionally dense, NASA and the European Space Agency have been researching the benefits of incorporating spirulina into astronauts' diets on spaceships and possible missions to Mars. It’s no wonder spirulina is one superfood we all should pay attention to.
The Nearly Perfect Whole Food With Protein and Healthy Phytonutrients
One of spirulina’s special traits is its protein content. It’s one of the highest, most digestible sources of “complete” protein. When compared to red meat, the protein content of which is about 27% of its total weight, spirulina’s is 50 to 70%, containing all essential amino acids. It’s also a source of carbohydrates, which make up 15 to 20% of the alga’s weight.
In addition, within spirulina’s deep, dark color lies an impressive array of phytonutrients:
- 18 different amino acids, including all essential ones
- Vitamins A, B and K
- Minerals, including calcium, iron, magnesium, selenium, potassium and zinc
- Sulfolipids and antioxidant enzyme Superoxide dismutase (SOD)
- Gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), an important fatty acid
- Metallothionein compounds, metal-binding proteins
- Antioxidant chlorophyll and carotenoids
- Phycocyanin, a pigment protein complex from the phycobiliprotein family
Spirulina is one of the highest sources for phytopigments, such as phycocyanin and beta-carotene. Of all the phytopigments found in spirulina, there’s one in particular generating much interest among scientists…
Deep Within Raw Spirulina’s Rich Blue-Green Color Lies Potent Health-Supporting Nutrients*
Spirulina is especially recognized among scientists for its notable phycocyanin content, the vibrant phytopigment that gives raw spirulina its natural bluish tint.
Studies show that phycocyanin may have multiple health benefits, such as support for brain and heart health, protection against oxidative stress and promotion of a healthy immune system.*
Phycocyanin is found exclusively in spirulina – and it's plentiful, making up about 16% of the plant’s total weight.
Plus, phycocyanin supports stem cell regeneration, especially in bone marrow, the spongy tissue inside some of your bones, and blood cells.* It supports the creation of the red blood cells that oxygenate your body and the white blood cells that make up your cellular immune system.*
Animal and human research suggest that, together with powerful phycocyanin, the phytonutrients in spirulina offer many potential total body health benefits, including support of:
- Normal immune response.*
- Optimal cardiovascular health.*
- Brain and nervous system health.*
- Healthy bones and marrow.*
- Growth of beneficial gut bacteria for digestion.*
- Enhanced cellular recovery post exercise.*
- Triglyceride and cholesterol levels already in the normal range.*
- Blood pressure levels already within the normal range.*
- Blood sugar levels already within the normal range.*
- Muscle strength, endurance and energy.*
- Normal inflammatory response.*
- Normal detoxification.*
Why Whole-Food Nutrition Should Be at the Top of Your List
When recommending a supplement, we believe it's important to use one derived from high-quality whole foods. This helps ensure that you receive the majority of the cofactors and enzymes naturally found in the food along with the vitamins and minerals.
Unlike most commercial supplements made from isolated, lab-manufactured vitamins and minerals, whole food supplements are prepared in a way that safeguards their nutritional value. You receive them as nature intended – with the benefits of the entire food.
Spirulina is one powerful superfood brimming with potential total body health benefits. and is readily available today, both online and in health food stores.
However, many people shun spirulina because of its strong algae scent and taste. It is commonly added to smoothies and green drinks, and the taste of spirulina is difficult to mask. You either love it or you don't.
Another option is to include generous quantities of sea vegetables such as kombu, kelp, arame, dulse, kelp, nori, or wakame in your everyday diet, just like 95% of the Japanese population.
As healthy as spirulina, kelp, and other sea vegetables may be, here's a word of caution if you do decide to include them in your diet.
Just as eating some fish can negatively impact your health as a result of heavy metal and chemical contamination, most sea vegetables and many natural sources of spirulina are now unclean as well.
Plus, many sea vegetables have been found to contain bromine, an element very toxic to human tissue, instead of iodine.
And since the Fukushima nuclear incident, it’s smart to avoid any sea vegetables, including spirulina and kelp, from Japan and nearby waters harvested after March 1, 2011, as they still may be contaminated with radiation.
Even freshwater algae, like spirulina, may contain high levels of microcystins, toxins that can damage your liver and brain. Microcystins have the potential to be produced in large quantities during algae blooms. So, it's important that spirulina be grown in a clean, controlled environment and independently tested for safety.
However, if you're like most Americans and other Westerners, sea vegetables are probably not filling your plate on a daily basis today or anytime soon.
For that reason, it only make sense to consider including a supplemental source of spirulina in your diet every day for that added measure of nutrition.*
Organic Spirulina From an Experienced, High-Quality Source
Since spirulina sourced from an uncontrolled environment runs the risk of potential contamination from heavy metals and other toxins, it’s important to choose organic spirulina from a reputable supplemental source.
To protect you and your family, not only is organic spirulina a critical option to consider, but you also want to make sure it has undergone independent third-party lab analysis for toxins associated with spirulina.
As with every food you buy, knowing the source of any supplement you’re considering to purchase is important. Some less-than-optimal brands add animal wastes to deceptively boost protein levels.
Organic Spirulina is different. This high-quality supplement is formulated with organic spirulina powder containing phycocyanin, chlorophyll, carotenoids and beta-carotene as well as proteins, vitamins and minerals, including iron.
Our partner for this Certified USDA Organic Organic Spirulina formula is an established world leader in the production of spirulina and microalgae products. With over 40 years of experience, this partner strives for the highest standards when it comes to product safety, quality processing and compliance certifications, as they:
- Utilize multiple pristine sites located away from industrial, agricultural and human settlements throughout the globe, with ample supplies of purified ground water and conducive weather conditions, for fresh spirulina cultivation.
- Conduct quality systems audits for Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) compliance and adhere to BRC food safety standards.
- Perform post-verification testing to ensure verified ingredients continue to comply with program requirements.
- Test every product batch for microcystin toxins and employ third-party testing to ensure the product is free of algal toxins per US Pharmacopeia (USP) guidelines.
- Have achieved both USDA and EU Organic Certifications, ensuring the avoidance of pesticides, herbicides, synthetic and genetically-engineered (GE) ingredients.
With our partner’s unwavering commitment to the growth and cultivation of the highest quality organic spirulina, you can rest assured that Organic Spirulina is one exemplary supplement we stand behind.
Experience the Global Goodness of Organic Spirulina
It’s time for you to take action and start reaping the potential benefits of Certified USDA Organic Spirulina.
Boasting support for immune function, heart and brain health as well as natural body detoxification, healthy bones, muscle strength and much more, Organic Spirulina should be part of your daily regimen.*
And if you’re vegetarian or vegan and are searching for a high-quality source of healthy complete protein with a wide array of benefits, look no further.
Take the next step toward better health, and order your supply today.