Treat for life

Live and let live

Spirulina Is a Winner

By 8 Comments

Spirulina is a winner as algae is the best nutritional and nutraceutical product. If we compare Spirulina with Chlorella, we will see that Spirulina has a few more qualities. These conditions make Spirulina superior to other algae.

Spirulina

Differences Between Spirulina and Chlorella

Chlorella’s  Traits

Chlorella is a tiny monocellular alga. Her size is 5 microns.

The harvesting of Chlorella requires a high-speed centrifuge. It means that electric power and labor would be involved in the process of Chlorella’s cultivation.

Chlorella has a thick cellular membrane. Humans can not digest Chlorella quickly.

Chlorella is cultivated in lightly acidic conditions. The carbon dioxide generated by Chlorella is high in volume. The minuscule amount of carbon dioxide is utilized and dissolved.

Spirulina’s Traits

Spirulina is a multicellular alga. Spirulina is one hundred times bigger than Chlorella. It means that harvesting can be done using simple cloth: no centrifuges, electric power usage, and labor.

Spirulina has a thin membrane. Spirulina can be digested in 16 hours using proteinase pepsin. The percentage is 85 %. Spirulina is twice easier digestible compared with Chlorella.

Spirulina can grow in very alkaline conditions. It means that carbon dioxide gas is transformed into hydrogen carbonate ions. These ions remain in the alkaline culture solution.

Spirulina can absorb carbon dioxide and hydrogen carbonate ions as a carbon source.

The high utilization of carbon dioxide keeps the atmosphere clean and abundant with oxygen.

Spirulina Is a Winner

By no means; Chlorella is a valuable alga. Germans used Chlorella during the first war. It was a  food shortage. Scientists proposed to use Chlorella as a food source. Chlorella was better than yeast because it needed just air, sunlight, water, and a few minerals.

The cultivation of yeast required sugar. Later on, Germans abandoned research on Chlorella, but the scientific community got interested in the algae Chlorella.

Scientists from the USA and researchers in Japan started research on mass cultivation. The reason for analysis was the constant food crisis in the world.

However, Spirulina’s traits show superiority against other algae.

Better digestibility, low production expenses, high efficiency in utilization of carbon dioxide, cultivation in alkaline waters, and high temperatures in Africa allow Spirulina to stand out from other algae. Spirulina is a winner.

Therapeutical Abilities of Spirulina

Researchers from Japan decades ago reported positive effects of Spirulina in the cases of diabetes, pancreatitis, liver diseases, weakened immune system, anemia, vision problems, and so on.

The recently published book Spirulina in Human Health and Nutrition provides evidence from scientists and doctors. The results are impressive. They show that Spirulina is a nutraceutical food supplement.

Dr. Christopher Hills called Spirulina miraculous algae. Spirulina is a winner because her quality and usage outperform other algae.

How about you? Did you try to use Spirulina as a food supplement?

Disclaimer

Spirulina and Asthma

By 10 Comments

Spirulina is nutraceutical algae, and it can help to control asthma. Spirulina and asthma are essential topics. Spirulina can reduce the need for drugs for treatment. Does it sound like a fairy tale? I knew that Spirulina is capable of nourishing bodies with vital nutrients. It seems that Spirulina is valuable and nutraceutical supplement.

Nutraceutical: What it Means?

Nutraceutical means that food or part of a diet can provide us health benefits and therapeutic value. In the USA, organizations which regulate how to name one or other stuff do not recognize the benefits of essential items such as Spirulina, Noni, or Cordyceps. These mentioned products contain 100% active ingredients. Each of them has its ability to help human beings in one way or another.

I mentioned these products as an example. There are plenty of gifts from nature. People used them to add to their daily intake or help themselves when body required outside improvement.

 Spirulina and Asthma

Asthma is the condition when the lungs and bronchial airways are affected. People can not breathe easily. Airways are obstructed, and spasms occur.

In the book Spirulina in Human Nutrition and Health authors state

Spirulina with its galaxy of antioxidant nutrients can thus be an effective therapeutic mode for combating detrimental damage and inflammation in the respiratory lining.

Researchers Uliyar V.Mani, Uma M.Iyer, Swati A.Dhruv, Indirani U.Mani, and Kavita S. Sharma wrote that  Spirulina is an excellent option for asthma patients. It is a rich source of GLA and antioxidants.

GLA is gamma-linolenic acid. GLA is a fatty acid. In general, fatty acids serve as fuel for the contraction of muscles and body metabolism. GLA in Spirulina acts as the anti-inflammatory representative.

Spirulina and Asthma

Researchers found out that the antioxidant properties of Spirulina help fight against harmful oxidants. I think that you know that people who smoke or work in contaminated places are prone to conditions such as asthma.

Spirulina Is a Source of Antioxidants

Spirulina is a golden trunk full of nutrients such as beta-carotene, vitamin E, selenium, and other minerals. In the book,  Spirulina in Human Nutrition and Health researchers provide results regarding Spirulina’s influence on patients with asthma.

It is a piece of high-quality evidence from scientists and doctors who spent their time researching Spirulina. In my mentioned book, there are plenty of medical terms and documented results about the benefits of Spirulina.

For example, in the studies, researchers found out that IgE ( immunoglobulin E) decreased significantly after usage of Spirulina.

IgE or immunoglobulin E is the antibody produced by the immune system. These antibodies can trigger allergic reactions by releasing chemicals. When people smoke or receive contaminants through airways, the immune system reacts to intruders. Allergy or asthma occurs.

Spirulina and Asthma

Everybody who would like to check the book for themselves can find the information about Spirulina and asthma in the book edited by M.E. Gershwin and Amha Belay. Spirulina in Human Nutrition and Health, 83.

The Conclusion in the Words of Scientists

Thus, from the positive results obtained in protein status, pulmonary function, and IgE status in supplemented groups it can be concluded that Spirulina can be introduced along with medicine as a therapeutic and dietary supplement in the treatment of asthmatics, and in the long run this may not only control asthma but also reduce the need of drugs in its treatment.

I do think that it is excellent news because Spirulina does not have side effects. It is a pure and abundant source of antioxidants, nutrients, minerals, vitamins, and proteins. The information about Spirulina and asthma could give insights to people who want to learn more about this particular topic.

Disclaimer

Importance of Spirulina

By 2 Comments

What is Spirulina? The Spirulina is ancient bluish-green algae. Spirulina is the source of vitamins, carotenoids, minerals, proteins, carbohydrates, fats, pigments, and fatty acids&lipids.

Who Heard About Spirulina?

I talked with a few of my friends and colleagues about Spirulina. They did not express interest in this nutritional food source. They are in good shape, and they do not seek any solution on how to enrich their daily intake of food.

My Interest in Spirulina

I read a lot. I have plenty of books waiting for me until I finish what I started. I use the computer and phone a lot. It means that my eyes do not have rest during the day. I began to search for nutritional supplements which would be digestible and delicious in vital nutrients. I know that nutrients can help my body and, at the same time, my eyes too.

Importance of Spirulina

I started to dig for some more information. Scientists, doctors, and journalists published reviews and books about this miraculous algae.

Spirulina’s Costs Versus Food Costs

The price of food at the store is not the price we would like to think is a  real value.

There are many hidden costs for conventional food.

Medical Expenses from Unhealthy Food

I guess everybody knows how many spoons of sugar are in the glass of soda drinks. Products on the shelves can stay long thanks to added chemicals. Everything looks good till we see our weight climbing and vital signs change. US Surgeon links two-thirds of death to diet. Here medical bills, health insurance, and home care bills show up.

Government Helps Farmers

The government subsidizes farms through taxes. This contribution encourages farmers to use soil and water. The farmer pays less for water, and the government pays the difference between the actual water price and the farmer’s price. According to Robert Henrikson, in 1989, Farmer’s Home Administration had loaned over 20 billion dollars.

 The Danger to the environment and resources

Growing agro-business threatens the environment. The population of human beings grows. It requires more and more food. The soil is used and reused without giving back minerals. Countless herds graze. Soil erosion occurs.

According to Robert Henrikson, the author of Earth Food Spirulina, an inch of topsoil takes 200 to 1000 years to get back in shape.

Who will wait so long? People are hungry, and they want to eat now.

How is good cheap food?

The food grown using pesticides and fertilizers is inexpensive compared with organic food. Stores prefer to have sustainable food. There are preservatives used. I guess that in this food are not so many nutrients left. Our bodies can be weaker. Few cups of coffee do not help to restore energy and vitality.

Advantages of Spirulina

According to Robert Henrikson, there are facts in the book Earth Food Spirulina.

Spirulina could be cultivated on unusable land.

Protein production from Spirulina requires 20 times less land than soybeans and 40 times less area compared to the property used for corn.

For the growth of the Spirulina,  the water can be alkaline or salty. The algae do not compete with the water used to grow conventional food.

Energy efficiency is higher compared to corn and soybeans.

Algae consume carbon and release oxygen. I think that it is a significant point. Nowadays, when climate change is visible, Spirulina can be a savior.

Spirulina does not need plenty of places to grow. Spirulina can grow in a hot climate, where other crops do not survive.  In countries where food distribution does not work correctly, Spirulina could help sustain thousands of people in developing countries.

Spirulina does not do any harm to the environment. Spirulina enriches the air with oxygen.

Conclusion

Spirulina can play an essential role in helping people get rid of malnutrition. It is a cheap source of vital nutrients.

Spirulina generates oxygen and fixes carbon.

To grow Spirulina commercially does not need a Nobel prize winner to find out how to accomplish these tasks. Commercial farms grow Spirulina as health food on the six continents.

Spirulina can improve the well-being of people who live in emerging countries.

Disclaimer

Spirulina’s Health Benefits

By 10 Comments

Spirulina is algae that existed billions of years ago. The Aztecs recognized the Spirulina’s health benefits and ate Spirulina before the Spanish conquistadors. People in Africa have consumed the Spirulina for centuries.

Spirulina flourishes in natural alkaline lakes.  Spirulina grows in ponds for human consumption.

Over 25ooo species of algae live on the surface of Earth. Blue-green algae like spirulina are the most primitive. They only divide; they do not sexually produce.

Spirulina’s Health Benefits

Spirulina is known as the superfood. Algae contain concentrated nutrients which are vital to the human body.

Spirulina as the Source of Proteins

Spirulina has a high amount of protein compared with natural food, easily digestible. Additionally, Spirulina does not have rigid walls in its cells. It is essential for people who have digestion problems.

Spirulina as the Source of Vitamins

Spirulina is a source of vitamins. Vitamin A is ten times more concentrated in Spirulina compared with vitamin A found in carrots.

Vitamin A is essential for vision, maintaining mucous membranes, and reducing serum cholesterol. According to Robert Henrikson, author of Earth Food Spirulina, beta-carotene or vitamin A reduces risks for all types of malignant diseases.

Spirulina"s Health Benefits

Vitamin B-12 and B vitamin complex are in the structure of Spirulina. B vitamins balance the body’s metabolism,  participate in the nervous system, keep the vision in check, participate in enzyme work, maintain the skin healthy, and help create DNR.

Spirulina as the Source of Iron

Spirulina contains iron. Iron anemia is a typical case for children, women, and the elderly. The form of metal in Spirulina is easily absorbed. According to Robert Hendrikson, Spirulina is 60% better absorbed than other iron supplements.

The Spectrum of Spirulina’s Activity

  • The Spirulina normalizes the gut flora
  • Spirulina prevents free radicals.
  • Spirulina stimulates macrophages which fight against malignant cells
  • Spirulina creates an alkaline environment in the body
  • Spirulina strengthens the body’s immune system
  • Spirulina prompts healing processes after accidents and bone breakage.
  • Spirulina enriches the human body with vital nutrients
  • Spirulina is helpful for people who have the physical load to bear, who lost appetite and weight.

Spirulina’s health benefits in Japan

In the  United States of America, Spirulina is recognized as a nutritional supplement. Spirulina can not be claimed as the thing which heals people.

Japanese and Mexicans have different approaches. There researched Spirulina’s benefits and healing effects.

Chronic diseases, especially those with a history of malnutrition, disappear or become less annoying after Spirulina’s consumption.

In the book Spirulina what it is…the Health Benefits it Can Give You, the author Joseph Challem lists chronic diseases where Spirulina played a critical role as the promoter of self-healing.

Some of these diseases have been studied in Japan and recorded in prestigious medical journals.

Spirulina’s Health Benefits when Chronic Diseases Occur

They are diabetes, anemia, liver disease, ulcers, pancreatitis, visual complaints, leukocyte loss prevention, and allergies.

Japanese use Spirulina to relieve symptoms of heavy metal poisoning. Spirulina helps remove toxins from the body.

Spirulina is an excellent source of nutrients.  Spirulina can be quickly grown and serve as food for starving countries. Spirulina health benefits allow the body to flourish. Who knows, maybe someday we can grow Spirulina in our back yards?

Disclaimer

Articles and blogs on the website www.treatforlife.com are based on research done by the author. The information on this site is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a competent and qualified healthcare professional. Blogs and articles are for informational purposes only. It is up to you to make your own decisions about your health.