Spirulina Benefits and Side Effects
There are many natural supplements that are touted as superfoods. A superfood is any food that has a high number of health benefits. Despite the abundance of “so called” superfoods that really aren’t actual superfoods, there is one food that really encompasses all the traits, as it has numerous benefits that can heal the body in a number of ways. It’s called spirulina.
Spirulina benefits the body in so many ways that it’s challenging to cover them all in one article. There are also some spirulina side effects you may want to consider as well.
What is Spirulina?
Spirulina is a blue-green algae that is found in ponds, rivers and lakes. It is also a bacteria, yet it obviously works in the opposite manner of most bacteria that people are aware of. Spirulina is extracted and then freeze dried and placed in pill, capsule or powder form.
Spirulina Benefits
Spirulina can help a healthy person maintain their health, and it also has the ability to heal certain ailments. In other words, if a person is suffering from any number of ailments, spirulina most likely will have some positive impact on it. Here are just some of the numerous benefits of taking this remarkable algae on a regular basis:
Immune System Regulation – Spirulina works wonders at modulating the immune system. This can make it easier for the body to fight off colds, flu and other viruses and bacteria.
Slows Down the Aging Process – Due to the fact that spirulina has four times the amount of antioxidant power of blueberries, it can reduce the appearance of wrinkles, lines and other signs of aging. It’s one of the best-known fighters of free radicals on the planet.
Loaded with Protein – Many people have a difficult time meeting their protein requirements on a regular basis. This is especially true for vegetarians. Consuming spirulina can help individuals attain the protein that their bodies need, as it contains high amounts.
Easy to Consume – Spirulina can be placed in smoothies, cereal, yogurt, and even juice. To some spirulina has a pleasant taste and smell, making it easy to consume. For others, they need to adjust to the earthy, sometimes swampy taste.
Natural Detoxifier – Regardless of how clean a person’s diet may be, the need to detox is always present. The body comes into contact with toxins on a daily basis, from the food they eat, the environment they breathe air from, and more. A toxic body can make a person become ill, but spirulina can prevent a person from becoming sick, as it works wonders as a detoxification agent.
Reduces Inflammation – Everyone knows how damaging inflammation can be to the body. Conditions like allergies, autoimmune diseases and obesity lead to high levels of inflammation. Spirulina contains high levels of Gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), a powerful anti-inflammatory agent.
Spirulina Side Effects
As with just about any supplement, spirulina can cause side effects in some individuals. Some side effects of spirulina to consider are:
Allergic Reactions to Inferior Products – There are many manufacturers on the market who are capitalizing on consumers wishing to improve their health. These manufacturers create spirulina of the lowest quality, which often contains fillers and other ingredients that could potentially cause allergic reactions and more.
Seafood Related Allergies – Anyone with a severe seafood allergy should probably stay away from spirulina, since it is derived from the sea/water and could contain some remnants of seafood.
Iodine – People who suffer from thyroid conditions and/or iodine allergies should refrain from taking this supplement.
Diabetics & Gout – People who are diabetic or who are highly susceptible to gout should not take spirulina without first consulting their physician. Spirulina could potentially worsen these conditions.
So for anyone interested in dramatically improving his or her health, spirulina is a great supplement to add to the diet. Not only does spirulina boost the immune system and improve a person’s chances of fighting off various illnesses, but it can also detoxify the body. By detoxifying the body, a person will reduce the risk of sickness and disease and improve overall health and quality of life.
Spirulina comes in more than one form. It can be taken in pill or capsule form. Spirulina is often found in green drink powders. There is also the ability to take spirulina juice powder, which is also a popular component in green drink powders. This can make it easy to obtain spirulina, as it can simply be mixed in with a favorite juice. Spirulina juice powder can also be mixed in the blender with fruit, vegetables and other ingredients making a delicious and profoundly healthy smoothie.[hr]
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