Spirulina – the treasure of the Incas

In 1521 Bernal Díaz del Castillo, a member of the army of Cortez conquering the Aztec empire had written: “…small round loafs of bread made from an alga-like mass; they taste like cheese. Local people collect the ingredients from the lake, to make bread of them.” Years after a monk, Bernardíno de Sahagún had written: “… in a certain period of the year they collect a soft material from Mexican lakes, which has a clear blue color, they make bread of it, and ate it cooked.” Natives had called this substance Tecuitlalt which means literally “the excrement of the stone”. Spanish conquest eventually had swept away the culture of the natives, so the mysterious substance fell into oblivion for a long time, but fortunately not for ever.

The alga later has been identified as blue-green alga (Spirulina). Many kinds of nutrients get absorbed very easily from algae, as its thin cell wall – unlike in case of other edible plants – is not composed by cellulose. It is an excellent source of proteins, minerals and vitamins. Due to its protein dry content of 60-70 % is a high quality food. Proteins are useful because of the quality of amino acids, the effectiveness of digestion and their biological value. It contains three times more calcium than milk, and 58 times more iron than spinach. From certain foods iron cannot be absorbed adequately.

However the iron content of blue-green algae is utilized by 60% better than iron sulphate, or other iron supplements. Spirulina contains all the vitamin Bs, it is especially rich in vitamins B6 and B12, and contains relatively large amounts of A-provitamin; it contains 25 times more beta carotene than carrots and 100 times more than in papaya. Beta carotene in excessive amounts could be harmful, but if taken up from blue-green algae it is innocuous, as the body transforms it only in the necessary amount.

According to a study carried out at the Medical Faculty of the Harvard University the consumption of beta carotene extracted from blue-green alga reduces the development of cancer in the oral cavity. The application of beta-carotene against mouth cancer reduced the number and size of tumors; moreover tumors in some cases disappeared completely. Its carbohydrates get utilized easily in those whose digestion is incomplete due to weak intestinal absorption, as well as in geriatric patients.

They have isolated from blue-green alga a new polysaccharide as well, which enhances immunity. Studies prove that polysaccharides extracted from Spirulina destroy HIV, herpes, mumps and measles viruses. Pigments have also been found in it; they cause the characteristic color of certain flamingo species that consume algae in Africa Valley.

Its blue pigment protein, as well as zinc and chlorophyll also promote the production of leucocytes and anti-substances and block the multiplication of several viruses.

Specialist consider chlorophyll that is present in blue-green alga as well to be a “concentrated solar energy” due to its antibiotic, natural blood forming, growth and regeneration stimulating, tonifying, cell metabolism and heart function boosting effects. Besides its antibacterial abilities it is also an anti-inflammatory agent.

The iodine content of Spirulina is remarkable considering either its quality and its quantity. The iodine found in it is of organic bound, that is bound by the unsaturated molecules of the plant, by which its absorption is exceptionally good, much better than for example that of inorganic iodous salts. It may put an end to iodine deficient conditions. By accelerating metabolism iodine detoxifies and decreases body weight, as well as protects thyroid gland from radiation damages. Thyroid gland is very sensitive to radioactivity, against which iodine offers protection. Iodine exerts a detoxifying effect as well and increases the effectiveness of slimming diets, as it speeds up metabolism and in some cases normalizes hypothyroidism.

Warnings, contraindications, side effects:

• The formula has no known side effects in the recommended dose, but individual sensitivity to its active agent may occur.
• Persons suffering in chronic diseases requiring constant medical supervision should in any case consult their doctor before they start taking the formula.
• Patients that due to hyperthyroidism should decrease their iodine intake, should not consume large doses of tablets (above -6 tablets) containing algae, only under medical supervision.

Blue-green alga is a whole food of plant origin, an excellent nutritive, healing and regenerating substance for ill and/or weakened body, both in the period of illness and recovery. It is of paramount importance in the diet of vegetarian, as they often become underfed which results in anemia, myasthenia and disorders of the nervous and immune system. Its amino acid content is nearly equivalent to that of meat. Due to its easily utilizable organically bound iron, and high B12 content it may prevent deficiency diseases, without consuming food of animal origin. In Mexico sweets are enriched with alga, in Australia and New Zealand a soda containing alga extract has been introduced to the market. In Japan, India and Singapore a stomachic enriched with Spirulina is sold, especially for pregnant women, children and elderly people. In is used in countless countries as a dietary supplement from Chile through EU to Japan. It is high time for us Eastern-Europeans to include it into our diet for the sake of our health.

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