Type the desired term in the search and press ENTERSpirulina is a term that is mentioned more and more often when we research the topic of healthy nutrition.We find out what benefits this algae has and why it is called a "superfood"objective/Alo.rs/JMSpirulina is an algae that belongs to the group of blue-green bacteria or cyanobacteria, it boosts immunity, cleans the body, improves the blood count and has a beneficial effect on the whole body.In some parts of the world it is also known as "green blood" because it cleans the body and increases energy."I started using spirulina in December right after appendicitis surgery. The reason for initially using spirulina was very low iron in the body. This was the primary reason, and only later, when I did a little research on the Internet, did I find out about many other benefits of this algae." says Olga P. from Belgrade, who is delighted that she discovered all the benefits of this food quite by accident.Many ancient peoples used spirulina for healing and strengthening the body.The old Aztecs used it to make cakes.Today, it is mostly grown in China, Australia and Hawaii.China supplies half of the world market with it and has declared it a foodstuff of national interest.High protein contentSpirulina is known as the richest source of beta-carotene, as it contains 10 times more beta-carotene than carrots.It is also a complete protein, which means that it contains all nine essential fatty acids.It is also rich in vitamins and minerals.One daily dose of spirulina powder contains more iron than two cups of spinachAfter harvesting, spirulina is made into a thick paste, which is then dried.It is sold in the form of powder, tablets, capsules and flakes.The standard daily dose is 5 g, but this amount can be increased depending on age and weight.Protects the nervous system and improves visionThis blue-green algae also contains zeaxanthin - a powerful antioxidant beneficial for the nervous system and eyes.It is also effective in case of heavy metal poisoning because it binds them and then helps to expel them from the body.It is also effective against harmful radiation.Accelerates weight lossSpirulina facilitates the fight against excess weight, because it quickly creates a feeling of satiety.It provides the necessary energy and does not contain sugar.However, experts warn that the diet should not be based solely on spirulina, because such a regimen is not healthy and does not produce long-term results.Exceeding daily doses can cause kidney and liver dysfunction.Also, in case of illness and drug therapy, you should consult a doctor before taking spirulina.It cleans the intestinesBeta carotene is the most effective nutrient in the fight against free radicals that damage cells, accelerate aging and increase the risk of malignant diseases.Thanks to this ingredient, spirulina has the ability to eliminate toxins and other impurities from the bloodstream.It is also recommended for former alcoholics and smokers in order to expel accumulated toxins.It is also known as an excellent preventive measure against inflammatory diseases, especially rheumatoid arthritis.Thanks to its detoxifying properties, it was used in the former USSR after the Chernobyl nuclear disaster.Strengthens immunityAs a real protein bomb, this algae is ideal for vegetarians and vegans.Research has confirmed the beneficial effect on human health,especially for strengthening immunity, accelerating metabolism, lowering cholesterol and stabilizing blood sugar.Nutritionists especially recommend it to athletes, pregnant women and people with weakened immunity.World champion Novak Djokovic also discovered the benefits of this algae.As he says, spirulina is an important element of his diet.Photo: Shutterstock Reasons "against"If, after studying the benefits, you wanted to try spirulina, you should first read the next section, so that you are aware of the risks.Microalgae, including spirulina, come in dried form (classic drying or freeze drying), in tablets, capsules or powder.They are considered supplements, so they are not subject to strict legal regulations like drugs, which means that there is a possibility that they will reach the market even if they potentially contain toxic substances, such as heavy metals and microcystins (explanation follows!)German research from 2012 showed that out of 13 spirulina brands that were present on their market at that time, all thirteen contained dangerous cytotoxins.Reason for extreme caution when buying?Definitely, yes!1. Heavy metalsWhen we talked about the benefits, we already mentioned that microalgae, when found in the body, bind heavy metals.So don't they also bind them in the water in which they grow?The answer is — yes.We all know that, due to growing pollution, water in nature is most often contaminated with various toxins, so there is a danger that unwanted heavy metals will be found in spirulina, which will then appear in our supplement.A 2013 study showed that in 25 spirulina samples from 25 different regions, different concentrations of heavy metals were found, but all were within the permissible limits.2. Cytotoxins and microcystinsFurther, the story about spirulina becomes even more serious.Cyanotoxins are toxic substances that are produced by certain types of blue-green bacteria during flowering (do you remember that at the beginning of the text we mentioned that spirulina also belongs to this group?) The danger of poisoning drinking water with cyanotoxins has long been known, and there are clear provisions on the value of the recommended permissible concentration of microtoxins in drinking water.However, things are not so clear cut when it comes to food — you can learn more about that in this study.Microcystins are a type of hepatotoxin (damaging liver cells) and the most dangerous of the cyanotoxin group.Prolonged exposure to even small amounts of this toxin is considered carcinogenic and very dangerous for vital organs.Where do the microcystins and other cyanotoxins in the spirulina supplement come from?During cultivation, the culture of blue-green bacteria is often mixed, i.e.where spirulina grows, other blue-green bacteria also grow, including toxic ones that produce cyanotoxins.During harvesting, there is a possibility that a certain percentage of toxic algae is collected along with spirulina, and that toxins end up in the supplement, which is presented to us as a superfood and its benefits are advertised.How to choose a safe spirulina preparation?Now remember that at the beginning of the story we emphasized that, despite the dangers, the spirulina preparation industry is booming.This should not surprise us if we have in mind all the benefits that we have mentioned in cases where the spirulina supplement is correct, i.e. when it does not contain heavy metals and microcystins.But how can we know that?Maximum allowed amounts of cyanotoxins in food should be determined (I refer to this study again, read the conclusion), as well as that the products are regularly controlled, and that it is indicated on them that they have passed the control and that they do not contain microcystins or heavy metals.Then we would know for sure that the spirulina we pour into our smoothie is really "blue gold".Currently, unfortunately, the situation is not like that, neither in the world, nor in our country.When choosing spirulina preparations, it is generally recommended to be guided by the following items:to stick to verified producers, those who can provide us with data on testing and correctness of the product upon request (I don't know if anyone in our market can provide us with that, it would make me very happy) to buy organic products in order to avoid spirulina also contains other unwanted substances, in addition to the already mentioned that we avoid spirulina from China, due to the high pollution of the waters there, as well as that from Japan due to the nuclear disaster in Fukushima, that we prefer to opt for spirulina from farms rather than that which is collected from the lake where it grows naturally .The reason?Greater possibility of microcystin contamination in natural waters.There are several different brands of spirulina on our market.In most cases, it is very difficult, or impossible, to find information about the country of origin from which the spirulina is imported, within the online presentation of the product or on the packaging itself.I was not happy when I saw that the types of spirulina for which I even managed to find information about the country of import were all from China.However, I could not find precise information about the manufacturer for any of them (nothing about the name of the company, information about the location and methods of cultivation, etc.).Tags spirulina algae Novak Djokovic green blood latest newsinformer/Alo.rs/JMinformer/Alo.rs/JMmagazine news/Alo.rs/JMobjective/Alo.rs/JMHello/ND/NSKosovo online/Hello/VP© HELLO!2007 - 2022. 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