The diversity of naturally healing foods and substances is almost mind-boggling. For every miracle food that gets its time in the spotlight, it seems there’s five others that never really receive the credit they deserve. And that’s not even counting the healing foods that haven’t even yet been discovered.
One incredibly healing superfood that’s still highly underrated is spirulina, a single-celled, spiral-shaped organism that grows in warm freshwater. The history of spirulina is a long and rich one, and although it has been known to the mainstream West since the 1950’s, its popularity still pales in comparison to other functional foods.
Perhaps this is because spirulina is actually a species of cyanobacteria (i.e. blue-green algae)—it’s conceivable that eating plants is a more palatable idea than eating colonies of underwater bacteria. The more we learn about this incredible organism, though, the harder it becomes to ignore the virtues of integrating it into your diet and supplement regimen.
Endless nutrients
One of the touchstones of “superfoods” is nutrient density. The more essential nutrients, vitamins, and minerals your food contains, the greater its ability to offer real healing and balance to your body. In case there’s any doubt that spirulina is a superfood, just take a look at the following breakdown, and you’ll see that it passes the nutrient density test with flying colors.[1]
Vitamins and minerals. Spirulina is packed with vitamins A, B12, K1, K2, iron, manganese, and chromium, as well as healing phytonutrients like carotenoids, phycocyanin, GLA, and SOD. And when we say packed, we mean it—spirulina contains 2800% more beta-carotene than carrots, 3900% more iron than spinach, and 280% more antioxidants than blueberries…just to cite a few examples.
Chlorophyll. Spirulina’s deep green color comes from its tremendous levels of chlorophyll, an incredible photosynthetic compound that detoxifies and nourishes the body. As we discussed in another article, some research even suggests that consuming chlorophyll-rich foods enables the human body to use photosynthetic energy created by leftover chlorophyll metabolites!
Fats and protein. Spirulina contains an astounding level of highly absorbable protein—a whopping 39 grams in a single ounce—as well as a wealth of perfectly balanced omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. It contains 600% more protein than tofu, and even contains dramatically more by weight than red meat (spirulina is up to 71% complete protein, and red meat is only 22%). This surprisingly balanced nutritional profile, combined with the incredible ease with which it can be produced, has led many to hail spirulina as a solution to world hunger.[2]
These facts demonstrate why some health experts call spirulina the most nutrient-dense food on the planet.
Putting all those nutrients to work
The value of spirulina’s nutrient density is made abundantly clear by a quick glance at its record as a functional food—that is, a food with disease-specific therapeutic potential.
Immune support. Studies have shown that spirulina significantly boosts immune function, due to its activity as an antioxidant, its highly bioavailable nutrient profile, and its ability to help beneficial gut flora flourish. These mechanisms explain why it has successfully been used to treat a variety of immune and microbiome-related conditions, including allergies, sinusitis and other complications of allergies,[3] Candida,[4] and even HIV and AIDS[5] (all without the many side effects that come with the conventional drugs used to treat these conditions).
Detoxification. As mentioned above, chlorophyll (as well as many other antioxidants and similar phytonutrients) makes spirulina a master detoxifier. It’s a nearly unrivaled treatment for heavy metal poisoning, due to its ability to chelate a variety of toxic metals (especially arsenic).
Cancer. Spirulina has even been shown to have anti-cancer properties, due to its high antioxidant content, its ability to trigger the production of cancer-fighting antibodies and proteins, and its high levels of tetrapyrrolic compounds, which halt the proliferation of cancer cells.[6]
Arterial and metabolic health. Spirulina works wonders for nearly every risk factor of diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. Researchers have been pleasantly surprised to find that these humble algae lower blood pressure,[7] reverse the endothelial dysfunction associated with metabolic syndrome (the precursor to diabetes), prevent atherosclerosis, reduce cholesterol,[8] lower the risk of stroke,[9] promote weight loss,[10] and boost energy levels. And the best finding of all is that the more spirulina you eat, the more these benefits increase.
Make sure to source the right kind of spirulina
Convinced that spirulina is worth its weight in gold and ready to get started? Great.
There’s one very important thing to consider when buying this superfood, though: because spirulina so effectively chelates heavy metals and myriad other toxins, it can easily become contaminated if grown or harvested in a polluted area.
It’s extremely important to source spirulina from high-integrity suppliers that have certified their product to be contaminant-free. Only buy from companies who go to great lengths to describe exactly what growing and harvesting practices ensure that their product is uncontaminated.
Another point to be aware of is that, if you haven’t consumed very many detoxifying foods in the past, starting a spirulina regimen can bring on unpleasant detox symptoms. As long as you vetted your source, though, there’s no need to worry—these symptoms will pass as your body is brought into balance.
Spirulina can be taken in tablet form, or purchased as a bulk powder and added to smoothies. Figure out what works for you, and start taking advantage of this amazing, underestimated food.
References
[1] http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/vegetables-and-vegetable-products/2765/2
[2] http://www.hunger-undernutrition.org/blog/2011/03/micro-algae-spirulina-the-solution-to-malnutrition.html
[3] http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18343939
[4] http://www.candidafood.com/spirulina-in-the-candida-diet/
[5] https://nutritionj.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12937-015-0058-4
[6] http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24552870
[7] http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23684441
[8] http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20354344
[9] http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20354344
