is spirulina as good as they say, or is it just hype.?

Can someone elucidate the madding crowd and tell us what spirulina is? It is a superfood with high amounts of nutrients. I have been using it for 20 years. For a description of it see this site under “Aquazon” which has another blue-green algae just like spirulina. Source(s):http://phiherbs.com

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Spirulina is the most protien enriched natural food source on the planet. It has many simple and complex protiens and aminos in it. As a vegetarian it is a great compliment to my diet and even if you eat meat it has many protiens in it that you wouldn’t get otherwise.I find that when I take it, I feel great for a couple of hours afterwards. I have a very good and balanced diet, so its not because I’m severely lacking or anything like that.One reccomendation though is that you take the tablet form, because it is essentially a type of pond scum and the powder is gross! also, don’t take it after a B tablet as it will cancel out some of the active Bs in the tablet. Its good stuff! This is about spirulina.https://secure.juvio.com/shared/store/country.asp?refer=reymon&Service=&p=vitamins&cd=144″ title=”https://secure.juvio.com/shared/store/country.asp?refer=reymon&Service=&p=vitamins&cd=144″>https://secure.juvio.com/shared/store/co.

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Spirulina has been used as a source of protein and nutrients, particularly beta-carotene, by the World Health Organization (WHO) to feed malnourished Indian children. The program resulted in a decrease of a type of blindness that results from inadequate dietary vitamin A. The dose used in this year-long study was 1 gram per day. There is a high vitamin B12 content in spirulina. For this reason, it has often been recommended as a supplemental source of the vitamin for vegans and other strict vegetarians, who are unlikely to have adequate dietary vitamin B12. Unfortunately, spirulina is not an effective source of the usable vitamin. Much of the vitamin B12 is in the form of analogs that are unusable for humans, and may even block the active forms of vitamin B12 consumed from other sources. Gamma linolenic acid (GLA) is present in significant amounts in a small percent of spirulina species. This essential fatty acid can be used in the body to form products that are anti-inflammatory and antiproliferative. It is potentially useful for individuals with rheumatoid arthritis and diabetic neuropathy. It may also play a role in lowering plasma triglycerides and increasing HDL cholesterol. Spirulina is a good source of available iron and zinc. A study done in rats found that those consuming spirulina had equivalent or better absorption than those given a ferrous sulfate iron supplement. A small human study of iron-deficient women had good response to iron supplementation with spirulina, although the amounts used were large (4 grams after each meal). Similarly, a study of zinc deficient children found that those taking spirulina had a superior response to those taking zinc sulfate, and had fewer side effects. In addition to serving as a source of nutrients itself, spirulina has been used in the manufacture of fermented dairy products to guarantee the survival of the bacteria used to ferment the milk. A stronger immune system is one claim made by boosters of spirulina. A number of animal studies appear to support stimulation of both antibody and cellular types of immunity. Immune function was markedly improved in children living in the areas surrounding Chernobyl. The measurements were made after 45 days, with each child consuming 5 grams of spirulina per day. The growth of beneficial intestinal bacteria, including Lactobacillus, appears to be stimulated by the consumption of spirulina, based on a study of rats who consumed it as 5% of their diets. The absorption of vitamin B1 was also improved. Cholesterol, serum lipids, and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol may be lowered by a small but significant percentage by the consumption of spirulina. One study group of men with high cholesterol took 4.2 grams per day of spirulina, and experienced a 4.5% decrease in cholesterol after one month. Spirulina is also thought to be helpful in the treatment of oral leukoplakia, a precancerous condition that is manifested as white patches in the mouth. It improves experimentally induced oral carcinoma (cancer in the mouth) as supported by studies done in animals. The evidence for the ability of spirulina to promote weight loss is not very strong. Results have been mixed, and the phenylalanine content does not appear to be an appetite suppressant as is sometimes claimed. Whether other components of the algae are beneficial for weight loss is uncertain and unproven. What do they say?