Spirulina is a blue-green alga which is believed to be the first
form of plant life on earth (nearly 3.5 billion years old).
Since its rediscovery in the 1960's, Spirulina has been
exhaustively and extensively tested by scientists around the
world. And has proved to be the most powerful and well-balanced
source of nutrition on the planet. Upon testing it, NASA found
it to be an excellent, compact space food for astronauts (1 kg.
of Spirulina is equivalent to 1000 kgs. of assorted vegetables).
International health organisations have hailed Spirulina as one
of the "Greatest Superfoods on Earth". An ideal food supplement,
Sunova Spirulina provides the body with all the essential
nutrients required daily, leaving you fresh, active and
energetic through out the day. 100 times more Vitamin A than
carrots ! Spirulina is the world's richest natural source of
Beta-Carotene (Pro Vitamin A), which helps to improve eye sight.
6 times more protein than eggs ! Spirulina has a very high
natural protein content (upto 70%). This protein is a called
complete since it has 18 of the 22 amino acids that the body
needs and being organic in form, has very high digestibility (
upto 97% ). This ensures proper utilisation & assimilation of
the food a person eats.
50 times more Iron than Spinach ! Anaemia or iron deficiency is
one of the most common health problems of our country.
Spirulina's rich content of natural Iron & folic acid helps not
only to greatly improve haemoglobin levels in the blood, but
being organic, is 60 times more absorbable than synthetic iron
present in most of the haematinics.
7 times more Calcium than milk ! Spirulina is one of the World's
richest known sources of natural Calcium which helps build
strong bones. 10 times more Potassium than vegetables ! Its
Potassium content (upto 10 times more than common vegetables)
helps prevent hypertension. One stop shop for 'Anti Oxidants' !
Unstable molecules called "Free Radicals" are generated in every
human body as a result of normal metabolic processes. These can
lead to ailments like cancer, arthritis, cataracts, strokes,
heart attacks, diabetes and premature ageing. To combat these
free radicals you need 'Anti-Oxidants' like Vitamins A,C & E,
Zinc, Selenium, Super Oxide Dismutase. Spirulina is the world's
richest and only natural source of all these 'Anti-Oxidants'.
Fat deposits in blood vessels called cholesterol are the reason
behind a majority of heart problems. Spirulina has Gamma
Linolenic Acid (GLA), which dissolves these fat deposits, thus
preventing heart problems.
Spirulina is the only known vegetarian source of Vitamin B12
which helps fight stress and calm your nerves.
Unique 'Biliproteins' & 'Carotenoids' in Spirulina strengthen
the body's immune system against possible infections.
Research suggests when Spirulina is taken with anti-cancer
drugs, antibiotics and pain killing drugs, toxic side effects to
the kidney can be significantly reduced and shorter recovery
times may be possible.
Extensive research studies have been carried out around the
world. Some of the relevant findings listed here are based on
scientific findings: A one year feeding program with 5000
pre-school children showing a symptom of Vit.A deficiency,
Bitot's spot, decreased from 80% to 10% after intake of 1 gm
Spirulina a day for at least 150 days. Another study with 400
school children suggests Spirulina as an alternate to pure
Vitamin A therapy. In a 1991 study in Belarus, 11 49
undernourished and radiation poisoned children were fed with
Spirulina. Within 45 days, doctors found T-cell suppressors and
beneficial hormones rising, and in 83% of the children
radioactivity of the urine decreased. In 1989, the National
Cancer Institute (NCA-USA) announced that chemicals called
glycolipids or sulfolipids from blue-green algae were
"remarkably active" against the AIDS virus. Recent Japanese
research revealed a high level of sulfolipids in Spirulina, 1.12%
Food Safety Research No adverse effects due to the usage of
Spiurlina powder have been reported. The alga is consumed as a
food and it appears absolutely safe for long-term usage, even
during pregnancy and lactation. In studies carried out on rats
in Japan, no negative effects were found for acute or chronic
toxicity or reproduction. Likewise in a comprehensive animal
study by the UNIDO in 1980. Rarely have there been any reports
of allergies or sensitivities. Toxicology research through the
80s and 90s showed Spirulina has no pre and post natal toxicity
in rats, no adverse effects on reproduction, including male and
female fertility and duration of gestation, and no increase in
number of abnormal offspring.
References Sassby, A. 1988 : In Algae & Human Affairs, Ed. Lembi
& Waaland, Cambridge Univ. Press, UK Tokai et at. 1987 : Chiba
Hygience Coll, Bull. V.5 (2) Johnson & Shubert 1986 : Nutrit.
Res. USA V.6 Takeuchi et al. 1978: Clinical Experiences of
administration of Spirulina, Tokyo Med. & Dent. Univ. Galvan,
R.R. 1973: Clinical Experimentation with Spirulina, National
Institute of Nutrition, Maxico. Fox R.D. 1986 : Algoculture,
Aix-en-Provence France Fica et al. 1984: Clinica II Medicala,
Spitalui Clinic, Bucuresti, Med. Intern. 36 (3) Romania Miao
Jian Ren 1987 : Soc. Appl Algal., Lille, France Bucallie, P.
1990: Univ. Paul Sabatier Tolouse Oct.90 Annapurna, V. et al.
1991: Ind. J. Bioch. Nutrit. 10 Henrikson R. 1990: Health World
Sep/Oct 1990 Sheshadri C.V. 1993: AICPS, MCRC Chennai Belookaya
T. 1991: Children of Chernobyl, Corres. Custafsan et. Al. 1989:
J. Nat. Cancer. Int. Aug16 Altman L.K.: Anti AIDS Chemicals in
Algae Kataoka et. al. 1983 Algric. Biol. Chem. 47 (10)
Chamorro-Cevallos, G. 1980: UNIDO, 24, Oct. 80
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