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Spirulina Health Benefits

Spirulina is a cyanobacteria, which is a blue green algae, that lives in a fresh water environment. Spirulina contains a very powerful combination of minerals such as calcium, iron and magnesium. There is also a vast amount of vitamins within spirulina.

Spirulina includes vitamin A, C, D, E, K, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, pyridoxine, cobalamin, folate, biotin, beta-carotene, pantothenic acid and also inositol. Spirulina also includes iron, calcium, manganese, phosphorus, chromium, iodine, chloride, molybdenum, magnesium, sodium, potassium, boron, copper, germanium, zinc and selenium, to name a few.

Spirulina has been around since the 1970's when it was first produced. At the early stages, every year there were one hundred tons produced. It is said that by 2020 the growth rate of spirulina will have grown to two hundred and twenty thousand tons.

Spirulina benefits include enabling the user to build muscle. Muscle building is achieved due to this bacteria consisting of about sixty per cent protein. Surprisingly, this is more than both red meat and soy which have a protein content of twenty seven and thirty four per cent respectively. The key feature of spirulina is that one tablet with a weight of three grams is able to give the same nutrition as two servings of fresh vegetables.

Spirulina diets are probably most popular with the Chinese. However, it is gradually spreading to other countries as well due to the demand to lose weight whilst gaining muscle mass. It has been known for spirulina to be added to the food that is fed to livestock and poultry in order to make them grow faster. This is particularly the case where they are being produced commercially.

The Japanese claim that one of spirulina health benefits is in helping diabetics to control their food cravings and this in turn helps them to decrease their insulin. However, there is no scientific evidence of this at present. The Japanese think that the healing power of spirulina is thanks to the high level of concentrated nutrients.

The only disadvantage of spirulina is that it is actually very expensive. The side effects and dangers that are thought to be associated with spirulina are that the huge levels of protein, minerals and vitamins. This may cause problems associated with both the liver and the kidneys. . However, for many people, the spirulina benefits outweigh the dangers and side effects.

One tablet of spirulina is rich in antioxidants and it has the power to boost energy and cellular health. Nowadays, most of the spirulina is grown ecologically in the California desert within the United States of America.

Even after knowing the spirulina health benefits, consult your doctor first, just as you would with any kind substance that you put in your body.