Benefits of Spirulina

Spirulina as an antioxidant

The high amount of beta-carotene in spirulina - estimated to be 10 times that of carrots - means it has the ability to neutralise and prevent free-radical damage in the body. However, it is not beta-carotene alone that is responsible. The green colour of spirulina comes from chlorophyll, another antioxidant.

Spirulina to prevent cancer?

A study conducted in India found that daily consumption of spirulina slows down the growth of oral cancer. This was observed in 20 out of 44 study subjects.

Spirulina as nourishment

Malnutrition is a major health problem throughout the world, and one of the hardest hit groups are children in developing countries.In Afreca alone, more than 30% of deaths of children under five are due to malnutrition.

A study carried out at the Centre Medical in St. Camille, Burkina Faso, in western Africa, involved 550 malnourished children under the age of five. The children were divided into four groups and given one of the following :

a. Traditional meals only

b. Traditional meals with spirulina

c. Millet, soya or peanuts only

d. Millet, soya or peanuts with spirulina

It was discovered that the combination of spirulina and millet, soya and peanuts had more positive results on the malnourished children than traditional meals alone.

Spirulina for diabetics

Smaller studies have been conducted to evaluate the possible benefits of spirulina for type 2 diabetes patients. Those given spirulina showed a positive difference in their fasting blood sugar levels and lipid profiles. It was suggested that this could be the result of either the fibre content or the proteins in spirulina having some insulin-stimulating ability.

Spirulina for allergic rhinitis

In a study carried out at the University of California, USA, individuals with allergies were given either placebo or spirulina daily. The results of the study revealed that spirulina had a protective effect against allergic rhinitis by reducing the level of cytokines (proteins that mediate and regulate immunity and inflammation). This study confirmed an earlier one conducted in vitro to determine the connection between spirulina and the production of cytokines.

Spirulina as an anti-hypertensive

Scientists at the National Autonomous University of Mexico carried out a study to access the effects of spirulina on glocose, serum lipids, amino transferase and blood pressure. A total of 36 subjects between the ages of 18 and 65 were given oral spirulina supplements for six weeks. At the end of the study period, spirulina demonstrated a hypolipernic effect ( the ability to reduce blood lipid leve;s) as well as the ability to lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure.