Spirulina Powder 100 g, 50 g, 25 g

Spirulina Powder – 100 g ($14.99), 50 g ($9.99), 25 g ($6.99)

Benefits:
Nutrients and Compounds
Dietary spirulina is arguably the most nutrient-dense food on the planet. It’s why taking dietary spirulina supplements is essential to good health. A one-tablespoon serving of dried spirulina (about seven grams) contains approximately:

• Calories: 20.3
• Total Carbohydrates: 1.7 g
• Fiber: 0.3 g
• Sugar: 0.2 g
• Total Fat: 0.5 g
• Saturated Fat: 0.2 g
• Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1 g
• Monounsaturated Fat: 0.05 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Sodium: 73.5 mg (3% DV*)
• Copper: 0.4 mg (44% DV)
• Riboflavin: 0.3 mg (23% DV)
• Thiamine: 0.2 mg (17% DV)
• Iron: 2 mg (11% DV)
• Niacin: 0.9 mg (6% DV)
• Manganese: 0.1 mg (4% DV)
• Magnesium: 13.6 mg (3% DV)

*Daily Value: Percentages are based on a diet of 2,000 calories a day.

It also contains some calcium, phosphorus, potassium, vitamin C, folate, vitamin A, vitamin B6, vitamin K, omega-3 fatty acids and omega-6 fatty acids. The same amount contains only 20 calories and less than 2 g of carbohydrates. Spirulina also provides a small amount of fat — around 1 g per tbsp (7 g) — including both omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids in an approximately 1.5 to 1 ratio. Plus, the quality of the protein in spirulina is considered excellent and provides all of the essential amino acids that your body needs.

Note that it is often claimed that spirulina contains vitamin B12, but this is false. It has pseudovitamin B12, which has not been shown to be effective in humans.

Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammatory   The main component of spirulina is called phycocyanin, which is an antioxidant that also gives it its unique blue color. Phycocyanin can help fight oxidative stress by blocking the production of molecules that promote inflammation and providing impressive antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.

Allergies  Spirulina is a popular alternative treatment for symptoms of allergic rhinitis, and there is evidence that it can be effective. For instance, one study found that spirulina was more effective than cetirizine, an antihistamine used to treat allergies, in improving symptoms of allergic rhinitis and decreasing inflammation., but more research is needed.

Anemia  Anemia is fairly common in older adults, leading to prolonged feelings of weakness and fatigue. A 2020 study found that taking spirulina may improve anemia in pregnant women during the second trimester. In 2021, researchers also found it may also improve iron deficiency in young children.

Muscle Strength, Endurance  Exercise-induced oxidative damage is a major contributor to muscle fatigue. Spirulina may help reduce this, as research points to improved muscle strength and endurance. In another study, spirulina supplementation was able to improve oxygen uptake during an arm cycling exercise, with researchers noting that it could act as an ergogenic aid to enhance athletic performance. Researchers said that it could behave like an ergogenic aid to improve overall athletic performance.

Detoxes Heavy Metals (Especially Arsenic)  Chronic arsenic toxicity is a problem, affecting people all over the globe. According to the World Health Organization, the U.S. is one of the countries affected by inorganic arsenic that is naturally present at high levels. Arsenic toxicity is an even bigger problem in the Far East. In the words of Bangladeshi researchers, “Millions of people in Bangladesh, India, Taiwan and Chile are consuming a high concentration of arsenic through drinking water, and thousands of them have already developed chronic arsenic poisoning.” In fact, up to 3 percent of the entire nation of Bangladesh showed clinical signs of arsenic poisoning alone. As Bangladeshi researchers pointed out, “there is no specific treatment” for arsenic poisoning, which is why they evaluated alternatives like blue-green algae.

After giving 24 patients affected by chronic arsenic poisoning spirulina extract (250 milligrams) plus zinc (two milligrams) twice daily, they compared the results with 17 patients who took a placebo and found that the spirulina-zinc combination worked. Ultimately, the participants experienced a 47 percent decrease of arsenic in their bodies.

Make this superfood part of your heavy metal detox or, in general, as a way to detox your body.

Eliminate Candida  According to researchers, “Candida species belong to the normal microbiota of an individual’s mucosal oral cavity, gastrointestinal tract and vagina.” A healthy microflora balance in our bodies is necessary to avoid being more susceptible to sickness and disease. In fact, leaky gut syndrome and improper digestion are directly connected to microfloral imbalance. Not only is invasive candidiasis the leading cause of mycosis-related death in the U.S., but candida overgrowth has become the hallmark sign for most autoimmune diseases today. Because of our shift toward a diet rich in sugar and unnatural ingredients, antimicrobial resistance and ineffective antifungal drugs, we have seen a significant rise in yeast infections since the 1980s.

Thankfully, spirulina appears to be able to help. Several animal studies have shown that it’s an effective antimicrobial agent, particularly for candida. Specifically, spirulina benefits have been shown to promote the growth of healthy bacterial flora in the intestines, which in turn inhibits candida from thriving. Additionally, the immune-strengthening properties of spirulina can help the body eliminate candida cells.

HIV/AIDS  Up until recently, epidemiologists have been puzzled trying to understand why people in Japan, Korea and Chad have relatively low HIV/AIDS rates. One possible explanation, revealed in a 2012 study published in the Journal of Applied Phycology, may be the amount of algae people in these areas regularly consume.

When researchers took 11 HIV patients who had never taken antiretrovirals, they split the participants into three groups: one who was assigned to eat five grams of brown seaweed every day, one who was to consume five grams of spirulina and one who ate a combination of both. After the three-month trial period was complete, two key findings were discovered:

• Absolutely no adverse effects were experienced from both seaweed varieties and the combination.
• CD4 cells (T-helper white blood cells that fight infection and are used to stage HIV) and HIV-1 viral load (another HIV biomarker) remained stable.

The results were so promising that one participant volunteered to continue the study for an additional 10 months, and this participant actually benefited from “clinically significant improvement in CD4 and decreased HIV viral load.” An additional study also demonstrated that spirulina deserves a place in natural HIV treatment.

Cancer  While more studies are needed, some evidence suggests that spirulina has anti-cancer properties. Research in animals indicates that it may help reduce cancer occurrence and tumor size in various cancers. According to researchers, “A number of animal and test tube studies suggest that spirulina increases production of antibodies, infection-fighting proteins, and other cells that improve immunity and help ward off infection and chronic illnesses such as cancer.” This doesn’t come as a surprise as more than 200 peer-reviewed articles have been published in the scientific literature evaluating spirulina’s ability to affect cancer cells.

Czech Republic scientists pointed out that, in addition to its ability to control blood cholesterol levels, “Spirulina is also rich in tetrapyrrolic compounds closely related to bilirubin molecule, a potent antioxidant and anti-proliferative agent.”

When tested on human pancreatic cells, these researchers discovered that, “Compared to untreated cells, experimental therapeutics significantly decreased proliferation of human pancreatic cancer cell lines in vitro in a dose-dependent manner.”

In addition, a 2019 study showed that spirulina reduces myelosuppression and improves immune function after chemotherapy in patients with malignant tumors. Another study the same year demonstrated how spirulina works against oral cancers.

Blood Pressure  Phycocyanin is a pigment found in the spirulina that scientists have discovered possesses antihypertensive effects — in other words, it’s a food that lowers blood pressure. Japanese researchers say that this is because consuming the blue-green algae reverses endothelial dysfunction in metabolic syndrome. This could be extremely promising for Americans because metabolic syndrome has rapidly become one of the main causes of preventable disease today, as it raises one’s risk of developing heart disease, diabetes and stroke.

One review of five studies found that taking 1-8 g of spirulina per day could significantly reduce both systolic and diastolic blood pressure, especially for people with high blood pressure levels. This reduction is thought to be driven by an increased production of nitric oxide, a signaling molecule that helps your blood vessels relax and dilate.

Cholesterol, Triglycerides  Spirulina can help lower total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) or bad cholesterol, and triglycerides, while also increasing high-density lipoprotein (HDL) or good cholesterol, which are all risk factors for heart disease. According to one review, spirulina was able to significantly improve these markers in people with metabolic syndrome and related disorders. Fatty structures in your body are susceptible to oxidative damage. This is known as lipid peroxidation, a key driver of many serious diseases. Research found that the antioxidants in spirulina may be particularly effective at reducing lipid peroxidation. In fact, one small study showed that spirulina was able to reduce exercise-induced lipid peroxidation, inflammation, and muscle damage in 17 rugby players. Along those same lines, spirulina benefits have also been shown to prevent atherosclerosis and lower cholesterol levels.

An animal study published in the Journal of Nutritional Science and Vitaminology, fed rabbits a high-cholesterol diet (HCD) containing 0.5 percent cholesterol for four weeks, and then fed them a HCD with 1 percent or 5 percent spirulina for an additional eight weeks. After the eight-week trial was complete, LDL levels decreased by 26 percent in the group eating 1 percent of spirulina and 41 percent in the group eating 5 percent spirulina, which suggests that the more consumed, the more benefits may result. Serum triglycerides and total cholesterol were also significantly reduced. These findings have been backed up in several meta-analyses.

Stroke  In the rabbit study above, researchers also discovered that the spirulina supplementation lowered intimal aorta surface by 33 percent to 48 percent, which suggests that it can prevent atherosclerosis and subsequent stroke. It’s important to remember that this clinical trial was conducted on animals that were still eating a high-cholesterol diet, and it highlights that regular spirulina consumption may reverse some of the damage done by eating a poor diet. This effect was also found in research conducted on rats.

Sinus  Studies indicate that spirulina may help treat allergic rhinitis, as it benefits the body by reducing the inflammation that causes people to experience sinus problems. Compared to placebo trials, spirulina is effective at reducing itching, nasal discharge, nasal congestion and sneezing. A 2020 study demonstrated that spirulina was more effective than an antihistamine called cetirizine to deal with allergies and allergic rhinitis as well as decrease inflammation.

Brain Disorders, Memory Boosting  In a 2012 study, a spirulina-enhanced diet given to rats provided so-called neuroprotection in an α-synuclein model of Parkinson’s disease. This did not occur with the control diet.

In a 2015 study, the effects of spirulina on memory dysfunction, oxidative stress damage and antioxidant enzyme activity were examined with mice. It was found that Spirulina platensis may “prevent the loss of memory possibly by lessening Aβ protein accumulation, reducing oxidative damage and mainly augmenting the catalase activity.” While both studies are preliminary and with animals, they hold promise for humans afflicted with Parkinson’s disease, other neurodegenerative diseases and those with memory problems.

Eye Health  Animal research relays that this algae superfood helped suppress “light-induced photoreceptor death, retinal degeneration, and subsequent visual impairment.” It’s believed this is due to the beta-carotene in spirulina. In addition, some research has found that “spirulina is an effective dietary source of zeaxanthin to humans,” a vital nutrient for eye health, but not all products analyzed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture appear to contain zeaxanthin.

Oral Health  This green superfood benefits oral health in many ways. For instance, it’s been found to help treat and prevent gum disease (aka periodontitis) and leukoplakia in human studies.

Weight  A 2020 review discovered that adding spirulina to diet can help people lose or manage weight. Consumption of this supplement was linked with lower body mass index, body fat, waist circumference, appetite and blood lipids. This came on the heels of research published in 2019, which found that “spirulina supplementation significantly reduces body weight, especially in obese individuals.”

In fact, a 2022 study examined the effects of supplementing with this superfood on gradual weight loss in competitive wrestlers. The results relayed that supplementing with spirulina during a gradual weight loss program helped wrestlers reduce body fat percentage and fat mass, along with other markers for weight and muscle. Combined with resistance training, supplementing with this algae also has been found to help obese men lose weight.

Blood Sugar  There is plenty of evidence that supplementing with spirulina can help manage blood glucose levels. For example, research published in 2022 found that taking just 8 grams of spirulina in a drink helped with glycemic control and blood glucose markers.

A study from 2001 tested the effects of spirulina supplementation on patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Twenty-five subjects were randomly assigned to the supplement or control group. After two months of supplementation, there was “an appreciable lowering of fasting blood glucose and postprandial blood glucose levels.”

Animal research suggests that spirulina could help lower blood sugar levels. According to one review of eight studies on humans, spirulina supplementation in doses ranging from 0.8-8 g daily could significantly reduce fasting blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes. There was no significant effect on blood sugar levels after eating or levels of hemoglobin A1c, which is used to measure long-term blood sugar control.

Botanical Name: Spirulina platensis
English: Spirulina, Blue green algae, Spirulina Powder, Spirulina algae
Origin: China
Harvested: Wild
Parts Used: Algae

General Information:
Spirulina has amazing properties and, in many ways, can be considered a Super Food. It contains the most remarkable concentration of nutrients. Spirulina is a naturally occurring blue-green micro-algae that grows and thrives in warm water alkaline lakes. Wild grown spirulina sustains flamingos in the East African Rift Valley lakes and has the strength and ability to thrive in conditions where other algae cannot grow. It is a single celled organism that turns sunlight into micronutrient life energy. It is one of the early life forms originating more than 3.6 billion years ago, and its spiral shape is what gives it the common name of spirulina. All the essential vitamins and minerals a body requires can be provided by spirulina, these provide a variety of benefits for the human body

Micro-algae are one of the smallest, most ancient and robust organisms living on Earth and one of the tiniest plants, which alone produce about 60% of the Earth’s oxygen They have survived some of Earth’s harshest conditions for several billion years due to their incredible and robust cell wall. Due to its high quantities of minerals, vitamins, and micro-nutrients, Spirulina has been mainly used to combat malnourishment and assist HIV/AIDS patients in Africa. However, in the last few years, Spirulina has seen a growing market amongst health and fitness conscious Its high protein and nutrient content make it an ideal food supplement and an immune booster

 

How to use:
We make these suggestions to help you get the best benefit from the herbs that you’re choosing to improve your health. Also we make these ideas and recommendations so that consuming them easier and better fit into your lifestyle by adding them to the food that you already eat.
For the full health benefit, it is best to consume (or use the whole herb in poultices) the whole herb. All of the compounds in the herb act best together, as nature intends. Extracts draw out the most prominent beneficial compounds and may concentrate them. What is not extracted can be helpful in ways that we do not yet understand.

Cut Pieces or Powdered Herb:
There are different ways to use cut pieces or powdered herb.
Food Preparation: You can add powdered or pieces of herb (if the pieces you buy are bigger than you like, a coffee or herb grinder will quickly reduce) to any yogurt, smoothie, apple or other sauces, spreads, salads or other foods more familiar to you that don’t use heat. Heat can be damaging to the beneficial compounds in the herb. Other options like oatmeal, scrambled eggs, pasta sauce, soup, cookies and anything else that fits your lifestyle, but minimizing (by adding near the end of cooking) the heat is helpful.
Also, for children, you can mix powdered herb with honey or glycerin to make paste. The thicker the paste, the more potent and herbal in taste. The sweet taste of honey and glycerin will help medicine go down. The resulting liquid is called an electuary.
For seeds in general, but especially small seeds, it’s best to grind these to break the protective hulls a short time before consumption. This makes all the benefits available, rather than some remaining locked inside the hulls that are unbroken by insufficient chewing.
To make adding herbs even easier, you could add a week’s worth of your chosen herb(s) to an amount of, for example, yogurt that you would eat in a week. Mix thoroughly and eat this each day of the week. So you make once /week and just eat each other day.
Hot Infusion: The basic method for dried herbs and flower is, take 2-3 tablespoons of dried herb in a cup or teapot. Pour hot water over it and cover it with lid for 10-30 minutes. The heat from making tea can degrade some of the beneficial compounds in the herb. This method minimizes this effect. For the full health benefit, it is recommended to consume what is left over after making tea.
Decoctions: Decoctions are suitable for roots, barks, large seeds & berries, and other dense material. The simple way to make decoction is, in a saucepan, add 1 tablespoon of dried herbs to 1 cup of water, Bring the water to boil, reduce heat and simmer for 30-60 minutes with the pot covered. Squeeze out as much as liquid as possible. Best practice is to drink the liquid and also consume the solid material that remains. Herb pieces can also be used.
Powdered Herb:
There are different ways to use powdered herb.
Capsules: HerbsCrafters makes capsules guaranteed to be filled with the pure herb with no filler or any other products. You can also use powdered herb to make your own capsules at home. These capsules are best taken with liquid to aid in digestion and absorption and to ensure it doesn’t stick in your throat.
Poultice: Poultice can be made with an herbal powder and liquid (mostly water) to form a paste which is then applied to the skin. This method is very helpful for skin conditions.
Herbal shot: Powdered herb can be mixed with water, fruit juice or other liquid to make herbal shot.

Tips:
You can sweeten your herbal decoctions with bit of honey, natural fruit juice, stevia leaves powder or licorice root powder.

Precautions:
You should consult with a qualified healthcare practitioner before using any herbal products, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, or on any medications.
All information on this website is for educational purpose ONLY.
This information has not been evaluated by Health Canada.
This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.