Spirulina spiral from Lake Klamath
Spirulina is a blue-green algae found in saline lakes and ponds in Central and South America and Africa, and is used throughout the world as a nutritional supplement. Spirulina has similar properties to Chlorella, but it is higher in protein. Spirulina contains chlorophyll, which is essential in maintaining healthy digestion and cleansing the bowels. Spirulina also contains 65-70% vegetable protein. The protein contained in Spirulina is especially beneficial, as it contains none of the harmful fats or cholesterol found in meat. It also contains a host of vitamins and nutrients, and is one of the few non-meat sources of Vitamin B12. Spirulina is especially high in beta-carotene, calcium, iron, niacin, and phosphorus. Spirulina is used for health rejuvenation and weight reduction, and is considered an excellent blood and colon cleanser. Adding Spirulina to cultured immune system cells significantly increases the production of infection fighting cytokines, say immunologists at UC Davis School of Medicine and Medical Center. Their finding was published in the Journal of Medicinal Foods. A number of animal studies have shown Spirulina to be an effective immunomodulator (an agent that can effect the behavior of immune cells). In rats, Spirulina inhibited allergic reactions by suppressing the release of histamine in a dose-dependent fashion. In cats, Spirulina enhanced the ability of macrophages to engulf bacteria, and in chickens Spirulina increased antibody responses and the activity of natural killer cells, which destroy infected and cancerous cells in the body. While extensive human studies have not been done, several reports also suggest Spirulina has therapeutic effects on hyperlipidemia and obesity.
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