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0z0z0z0z0z0z0z0z0z0z0z0z0 SPIRULINA THE BEST FOOD FOR FUTURE

History of Spirulina: A German Algae scientist, Dr.Darwin discovered the existence of the spiral shaped algae and named it Spirulina Dr. Clement of France in 1962 found that the Ganimou Kanembu people living Mrs. K. Kantha around Lake Chades in Africa had stronger bodies than M.Sc(N) other civilized people at that time, despite poor living Community Health Nursing, conditions and limited resources. Ganimou people eat a Narayana College of Nursing, blue green algae found floating on the lakes surface. This algae was Spirulina. Nellore. Why Spirulina is known as food of the future: Spirulina is being developed as the “food of the future” Imagine a plant that can nourish our body by because of its amazing ability to synthesize high-quality providing most of the protein you need to live, help concentrated food more efficiently than any other algae. prevent the annoying sniffling and sneezing of allergies, Spirulina contains 65 to 71 percent complete protein, reinforce your immune system, help control high with all essential amino acids in perfect balance. pressure and cholesterol, and help protect us from Spirulina won “the best natural food “ award in west . Does such a “super food” exist? Germanys International Food Expo. The United Nations Yes. It’s called Spirulina. has conducted a 5-year toxicology study on Spirulina According to World Health Organization (WHO) and found it to be completely non-toxic! National Spirulina is an interesting food rich in and protein Aeronautics Space Administration (NASA )Scientists which can be administered to children without risk. WHO from USA tested and found that 1 kg of Spirulina is also declared it as the best food for future. Spirulina is nutritionally equal to 1,000 kg of assorted Vegetables blue - green algae it is a simple, one- celled form of algae and Fruits. that thrives in warm, alkaline fresh-water bodies. The Active ingredients of Spirulina are: name “Spirulina” is derived from the Latin word for Spirulina (dried) Nutritional value per 100 g : “helix” or “spiral Produced from two species of Energy 1,213KJ (4%) cyanobacteria Arthospira platensis & Arthospira Carbohydrates 23.9g A equiv 29g maxicana. Sugars 3.1g beta-carotene (3%) 3.6g lutein zeaxanthin 342g Fat 7.72g 0 g Saturated 2.65g (B1) (207%) 2.38 mg Monoun- (B2) (306%) saturated 0.675g 3.67 mg Polyunsaturated 2.08g (B3) (85%) Protein 57.47g 12.82 mg Tryptophan 0.929g Pantothenic- (70%) Threonine 2.97g acid (B5) 3.48 mg Isoleucine 3.209g (28%) Leucine 4.947g 0.364 mg Lysine 3.025g (B9) (24%) 1.149g 94 g

40 0z0z0z0z0z0z0z0z0z0z0z0z0 Cystine 0.662g (13%) Spirulina - A powerful Antioxidant: Spirulina is Phenylalanine 2.777g 66 mg exceptionally rich in antioxidants that neutralize free-radi- Tyrosine 2.584g (12%) cals. Spirulina contains beta-carotene, and Valine 3.512g 10.1 mg phenolic acids, which are proven to exhibit antioxidant Arginine 4.147g (33%) properties. Phycocyanin is able to scavenge the very 1.085g 5 mg dangerous hydroxy radical and inhibit the oxidation of (24%) lipids in the and kidneys. A study demonstrated 71 Alanine 4.515g 25.5 g % antioxidant capacity for the group taking the Spirulina Aspartic acid 5.793g Trace metals extract and 54% for the group that did not, indicating 8.386g (12%) strong antioxidant protection (Miranda., 1998., 3.099g 120 mg Brazilian Journal of Medical and Biological Research). Proline 2.382g Iron (219%) Spirulina Prevents Cancer: Spirulina has been found 2.998g 28.5 mg useful in cancer prevention. The anti-mutagenic effect of (17%) (55%) Spirulina is beneficial in cancer protection and treatment. 118 mg 195 mg Experimental studies have demonstrated its profound (29%) (90%) effect on oral cancer. Spirulina was found to reverse oral 1363 mg 1.9 mg leukoplakia in tobacco chewers in Kerala. Complete (70%) Other constituents regression was observed in 45% of the treated people 1048 mg Water 4.68 g with a dose of 1g/day for12 months. Calcium spirulan (21%) Units isolated from Spirulina platensis, reduced the lung 2 mg g = micrograms metastasis of B16-BL6 melanoma cells by inhibiting the mg = milligrams tumor invasion of basement membrane (Mishima et al., IU = International units 1998., Clinical &Experimental Metastasis). Source: USDA Spirulina is Cardio protective: Spirulina is cholesterol Database free. Reduces the level of serum LDL (bad cholesterol) and raises HDL(good cholesterol).Spirulina cause a Spirulina Benefits significant change in vascular tone by increasing the 1. Cleansing: Spirulina promotes the body natural synthesis and release of nitric oxide and by decreasing cleansing processes. You feel fitter, more cheerful, and the synthesis and release of a vasoconstricting substance you have more energy. from the endothelial cells. 2. Restoring: Spirulina compensates for deficiencies in Spirulina was found to lower cholesterol: Clinical the diet and stimulates the . Your physical studies have shown that thirty healthy men with high condition improves noticeably and you recover faster after cholesterol, mild hypertension and hyperlipidemia after exertion. eating Spirulina for eight weeks were found to have lower 3. Fortifying: Spirulina boosts resistance and activates cholesterol, triglycerides and low lipoprotein the body natural defense mechanisms. You feel stronger (LDL). The findings concluded that antioxidants such as and are better able to cope with the pressures of beta carotene, vitamin C and E, etc present in everyday life. Spirulina offer significant protection against Health Properties:Though it does taste like pond scum, cardiovascular diseases. Spirulina has some great health-boosting qualities: Dietetic therapy with Spirulina for liver diseases: Spirulina is 65% protein and amino acids including the A diet high in protein and is generally indicated gamma linolenic acid (GLA) which in these patients in order to improve liver function. has gotten a lot of attention for its anti-inflammatory prop- Spirulina which is abundant in vitamins and minerals is erties. one of the optimum nutritional supplements to improve  Spirulina contains Omega 3-, 6 and 9s and is liver function and protect the liver. especially high in Omega-3s.

41 0z0z0z0z0z0z0z0z0z0z0z0z0 Dietetic therapy with Spirulina for to stop hunger pangs leading to reduction in food up- mellitus: These patients are required to reduce their take. Spirulina is used in balms and anti-wrinkle creams. food intake and to supplement balanced amounts of It helps in skin metabolism, cell regeneration and skin necessary and dietary fiber. These conflicting secretion. Spirulina is used in Japan as a safe bio-lip- demands are fulfilled only by Spirulina which contains stick and eyeliner. protein and trace elements abundantly. (Clinical test CONCLUSION: WHO in 1992 declared “Spirulina is performed by Chiba Hygienic College; Literature No.44, a high quality food product, rich in iron and protein, safe 273-277, 1991) to consume and an excellent nutrient supplement for Anti-Viral Aqueous extracts of Spirulina inhibits the children”. Over 200 scientific studies have demonstrated replication of the HIV-1 virus in human T-cells of the potential health benefits of Spirulina. To maintain good immune system, mononuclear blood cells and health and longevity, use Spirulina, nature’s gift of super Langerhans cells of the . Japanese scientists food to mankind. discovered an anti-viral compound in Spirulina called REFERENCES: Calcium Spirulan it was found to be active against 1. Ciferri, O. (December 1983). “Spirulina, the edible numerous viruses, including influenza, herpes, and HIV. ”. Microbiol. Rev. 47 (4): 551–78. Spirulina for One table spoon of Spirulina a PMC 283708. PMID 6420655. day can eliminate iron deficiency, the most common 2. Habib, M. Ahsan B.; Parvin, Mashuda; Huntington, reason for anemia. Tim C.; Hasan, Mohammad R. (2008). “A Review on Spirulina for Baby saved from Culture, Production and Use of Spirulina as Food dor malnutrition by Spirulina, in Togo, West Africa. Spirulina Humans and Feeds for Domestic Animals and Fish”. is recommended for nursing mothers. For newborns, Food and Agriculture Organization of The United Na- malnutrition is often caused by a lack of mother’s , tions. Retrieved November 20, 2011. the mother herself often being ill. Spirulina given to the 3. Feng, DL; Wu, ZC (January 2006). “Culture of mother helps a return to lactation and the babies rapidly Spirulina platensis in human urine for biomass produc- gain weight. tion and O(2) evolution”. Journal of Zhejiang University. Spirulina for Athletes: Athletes need extra . Science. B 7 (1): 34–7. Doi:10.1631/jzus.2006.B0034. Spirulina contains GLA which is known to stimulate PMC 1361757. PMID 16365923. prostaglandins, master hormones which regulate every 4. Chang, Yuanyuan, et al. (2013) “Cultivation of Spirulina cell of the body, including heart, skin, circulation and platensis for biomass production and nutrient removal musculature. Correct prostaglandin levels are necessary from synthetic human urine.” Applied Energy 102 C 427- for good health and performance. World Class and Olym- 431. doi:10.1016/j.apenergy.2012.07.024 pic athletes in China and Cuba use Spirulina to improve 5. McCarty, M. F. (2007). “Clinical Potential of performance. Spirulinaas a Source of Phycocyanobilin”. Journal of Spirulina reducing Pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS) Medicinal Food 10 (4): 566–570. doi:10.1089/ Studies show women with more severe PMS have jmf.2007.621. PMID 18158824. unusually low levels of certain nutrients, so many health External links experts urge a nutritional approach. Three key factors  “Blue-green Algae”. Medline Plus. National Institutes increase the severity of PMS – poor nutrition, lack of of Health. December 2011. exercise and stress. Many clinics recommend foods or  “Blue-green Algae”. Memorial Sloan-Kettering supplements rich in B-complex, magnesium, zinc, beta Cancer Center. December 2011. carotene, GLA and other vitamins, minerals and herbs.  “Spirulina”. University of Maryland Medical Center. By containing many of these nutrients, Spirulina is useful June 2011. in a PMS reducing plan, and several PMS supplements  “Spirulina”. Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. contain Spirulina. August 2011. Spirulina is used as slimming agent in USA. The phenylalanine present in Spirulina is said to signal the brain

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