Spirulina
is a blue-green algae found in saline lakes and ponds in Central and South
America and Africa, and is used throughout the world as a nutritional
supplement. Spirulina has similar properties to
Chlorella,
but it is higher in protein. Spirulina contains chlorophyll, which is essential
in maintaining healthy digestion and cleansing the bowels. Spirulina also
contains 65-70% vegetable protein. The protein contained in Spirulina is
especially beneficial, as it contains none of the harmful fats or cholesterol
found in meat. It also contains a host of vitamins and nutrients, and is one of
the few non-meat sources of Vitamin B12. Spirulina is especially high in
beta-carotene, calcium, iron, niacin, and phosphorus. Spirulina is used for
health rejuvenation and weight reduction, and is considered an excellent blood
and colon cleanser. Spirulina is possibly the most nutritious substance known to
man. Adding Spirulina to cultured immune system cells significantly increases
the production of infection fighting cytokines, say immunologists at UC Davis
School of Medicine and Medical Center. Their finding was published in the
Journal of Medicinal Foods. A number of animal studies have shown Spirulina
to be an effective immunomodulator (an agent that can effect the behavior of
immune cells). In rats, Spirulina inhibited allergic reactions by
suppressing the release of histamine in a dose-dependent fashion. In cats,
Spirulina enhanced the ability of macrophages to engulf bacteria, and in
chickens Spirulina increased antibody responses and the activity of natural
killer cells, which destroy infected and cancerous cells in the body. While
extensive human studies have not been done, several reports also suggest
Spirulina has therapeutic effects on hyperlipidemia and obesity. In one study,
Spirulina decreased total serum cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein
cholesterol, while increasing high-density lipoprotein. A 1986 study of obese
patients showed a significant reduction of body weight after including Spirulina
in the diet for four weeks. In the UC Davis study, researchers evaluated the
secretion of the cytokines interferon-gamma, interleukin-4, and
interleukin-1beta in the lab to get a better understanding of Spirulina's
potential regulatory effect on the immune system.
