Spirulina in GreenLife

Spirulina is a micro algea that has been traditionnaly eaten by the Aztecs, Mayas, Toltecs, Kanembu of Lake Chad, and other ancient cultures. Spirulina is known as a superfood and is considered the most nutritious food on earth. It is a planktonic blue-green algae found in warm water alakline volcanic lakes. As might be expected, it has a highly unusual nutritional profile. Its deep green color comes from its rainbow of natural pigments - chlorophyll (green), phycocyanin (blue) and carotenoids (orange) - that harvest the sun's energy. Easy-to-digest so nutrients are absorbed quickly.

Millions of people worldwide eat Spirulina cultivated in scientifically designed algaefarms. Current world production of Spirulina for human consumption is more than one thousand metric tons annually. The United Staes leads world production followed by Thailand, India and China. More countries are planning production as they realize it is a valuable strategic resource.

World's Healthiest Food

This tiny aquatic plant offers 60% all-vegetable protein, essential vitamins and phytonutrients such as the antioxidant beta carotene, the rare esssential fatty acid GLA, sulfolipids, glycolipids and polysaccharides. Spirulina has:

• 62% amino acid content,
• all the Vitanim B's
• a whole spectrum of natural mixed carotene and xanthophyll phytopigments
• 300% more calcium than whole milk
• 2300% more iron than spinach
• 3900% more beta carotene than carrots
• 375% more protein than tofu (it's the highest source of protein)
• more antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities than vegetables
• phytonutrients that are 31 times more potent than blueberries, 60 times more potent than spinach and 700 times more potent than apples;
• iron that is easier to absorb than iron supplements, and
• magnesium and trace minerals.

Health Benefits

1. 60% Easy-To-Digest Vegetable Protein Without The Fat And Cholesterol Of Meat

   People are eating less meat and dairy protein because they want to lower fat, cholesterol and chemicals in their diet. Spirulina is the highest protein food with all the essential amino acids and has only few calories to keep your waistline where you want it.

   Spirulina’s protein provides building material soon after ingestion, without the energy-draining side effects of meat protein. Its mucopolysaccharides relax and strengthen connective tissue while reducing the possibility of inflammation. Its simple carbohydrates yield immediate yet sustained energy. its protein-bonded vitamins and minerals, as found in all whole foods, assimilate better than the synthetic variety. It can generally be considered an appropriate food for those who exercise vigorously, as evidenced by the many world-class athletes who use it.

2. A Rare Essential Fatty Acid Is A Key To Health

   Gramma-linolenic acid (GLA) in mother's milk helps develop healthy babies. Its GLA fatty acids also improve hormonal balance. GLA stimulates growth in some animals and makes skin and hair shiny and soft yet more durable. GLA also acts as an anti-inflammatory, sometimes alleviating symptoms of arthritis conditions. Spirulina is the only other whole food with GLA.

3. Phytonutrients For Health And Cleansing

   Scientists are discovering the benefits of polysaccharides, sulfolipids & glycolipids, and the rainbow of natural pigments that give spirulina a deep green color. Green (chlorophyll), blue (phycocyanin) and orange (carotenoids) colors collect the sun's energy and power growth. Chorophyll is a natural cleaser and is often referred to as nature's green magic.

4. Anti- Cancer Effects

   Several studies show Spirulina can prevent or inhibit cancers in humans and animals. Some common forms of cancer are thought to be a result of damaged cell DNA running amok, causing uncontrolled cell growth. Cellular biologists have defined a system of special enzymes called Endonuclease which repair damaged DNA to keep cells alive and healthy. When these enzymes are deactivated by radiation or toxins, errors in DNA go unrepaired and cancer may develop. In vitro studies suggest the unique polysaccharides of Spirulina enhance cell nucleus enzyme activity and DNA repair synthesis. This may be why several scientific studies, observing human tobacco users and experimental cancers in animals, report high levels of suppression of several important types of cancer. The subjects were fed either whole Spirulina or treated with its water extracts.

   Spirulina is a powerful tonic for the immune system. Medical scientists find Spirulina not only stimulates the immune system, it actually enhances the body's ability to generate new blood cells.

   Important part of immune system such as the bone marrow stem cells, macrophages, t-cells and natural killer cells, exhibit enhanced activity. The spleen and thymus glands show enhanced function. Scientists also observe Spirulina causing macrophages to increase in number, become "activated" and more effective at killing germs.

   Feeding studies show that even small amounts of Spirulina build up both the humoral and cellular arms of the immune system. Spirulina accelerates production of the humoral system, (antibodies and cytokines), allowing it to better protect against invading germs. The cellular immune system includes t-cells, macrophages, b-cells and anti- cancer natural killer cells. These cells circulate in the blood and are especially rich in body organs like the liver, spleen, thymus, lymph nodes, adenoids, tonsils and bone marrow. Spirulina regulates these key cells and organs, improving their ability to function in spite of stresses from environmental toxins and infectious agents.

   Spirulina has a dark blue-green color, because it is rich in a brilliant blue polypeptide called Phycocyanin. Studies show that Phycocyanin affects the stem cells found in bone marrow. Stem cells are "Grandmother" to both the white blood cells that make up the cellular immune system and red blood cells that oxygenate the body.

   Phycocyanin also stimulated hematopoiesis, (the creation of blood), emulating the effect of the hormone erythropoetin (EPO). EPO is produced by healthy kidneys and regulates bone marrow stem cell production of red blood cells.

   Phycocyanin also regulates production of white blood cells, even when bone marrow stem cells are damaged by toxic chemicals or radiation. Based on this effect, Spirulina is approved in Russia as a "medicine food" for treating radiation sickness. The Children of Chernobyl suffer radiation poisoning from eating food grown or radioactive soil. Their bone marrow is damaged, rendering them immunodeficient. Radiation damaged bone marrow cannot produce normal red or white blood cells. The children are anemic and suffer from terrible allergic reactions. Children fed just five grams of Spirulina in tablets each day make dramatic recoveries within six weeks.

5. Strengthen the Digestive System

   Spirulina acts as a functional food, feeding beneficial intestinal flora, especially Lactobacillus and Bifidus. Maintaining a healthy population of these bacteria in the intestine reduces potential problems from opportunistic pathogens like E. coli and Candida albicans. Studies show when Spirulina is added to the diet, beneficial intestinal flora increase.