Spirulina is a type of blue-green algae that is high in protein and other important vitamins and minerals. Spirulina is believed to provide many health benefits to the immune system and may help to protect against allergies, cancer and viruses. However, these claims have yet to be proved in humans, and you should speak with a doctor before taking spirulina supplements.
Identification
Spirulina is found naturally in warm sea and fresh waters. Spirulina is a single-celled organism that is considered one of the largest algae, reaching sizes of approximately 0.5 millimeters, according to the website naturalways.com. Spirulina is helical in shape and is bluish-green in color due to the presence of the pigments phycocyanin and chlorophyll.
Health Benefits
Spirulina may provide many health benefits, although more research is needed to determine the medicinal advantages. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, spirulina may boost the immune system and help to protect against allergic reactions, bacterial infections, oral cancer and liver disorders. However, most research has only been conducted on animals or in test tubes. Spirulina may also serve as a protein supplement due to its high protein content. A single tablespoon of dried spirulina contains approximately 4 g of protein, according to the USDA National Nutrient Database.
Heallth Risks
Despite the potential health benefits, spirulina has associated health risks. Spirulina contains the amino acid phenylalanine and individuals with phenylketonuria or PKU, should avoid spirulina and products containing spirulina. PKU is a genetic disorder in which the body is unable to break down phenylalanine, leading to a potentially toxic build-up when ingested. Plants like spirulina found in water may absorb heavy metals, which could be toxic to humans. It may also become contaminated with microcystins. Microcystins are substances produced by cyanobacterial cells in water that are toxic to the liver when ingested, according to the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment.
Sources and Availability
Spirulina grows in both sea and fresh water environments and grows best in warmer climates. It is also cultivated on land or grown in a laboratory in the United States and other countries. As a dietary supplement, spirulina is available in tablet, capsule and powder form, or is used as a food additive. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, a standard dose of spirulina is four to six 500 milligram tablets per day. It is important to speak with a doctor before taking any dietary supplements to avoid complications.
Nutritional Analysis
A tablespoon or 7 g of dried spirulina contains approximately 20 calories, 4 g of protein and 1.7 g of carbohydrates. Vitamins found in small amounts in spirulina include vitamin A, C, E and K as well as the vitamin B-6, pantothenic acid, folate and niacin. A tablespoon of spirulina contains more than 10 percent daily value of thiamine and riboflavin based on a 2,000 calorie diet, according to the USDA National Nutrient Database. Spirulina also contains good amounts of the minerals iron and copper and small amounts of potassium, magnesium, sodium and manganese.
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