8 mins
Spirulina
The article in a few key points
Spirulina is a cyanobacteria which enjoys exceptional nutritional richness: proteins, vitamins, trace elements, amino acids...
It has multiple virtues for vitality, maintaining natural defenses, improving sports performance, detox and the beauty of hair, nails and skin.
To choose the right spirulina, it is essential to check different criteria: its traceability, its production and its active content...
Spirulina has existed for 3 billion years!
You can read almost everywhere that spirulina is an algae… However, it is false! It is, in reality, a photosynthetic cyanobacterium . Moreover, dietary spirulina is of the arthrospira genus, while spirulina cyanobacteria are not edible! Enough to get your brushes tangled.
It is therefore not a plant, nor an animal: it is a bacteria, like bifidus or other lactic acid bacteria which make up dairy products. But also perfect here for vegans.
Blue-green in color, spirulina grows naturally in the warm waters of lakes located in tropical areas, particularly in Asia (China, India, Taiwan), Mexico and Central Africa.
As you will see in this guide, spirulina is a gold mine for your body. It's full of proteins, vitamins and minerals... small but strong!
What is spirulina?
Spirulina is one of the first forms of life to appear on the planet. It is invisible to the naked eye, because it measures barely 0.1 mm.
Its nutritional values and benefits have been noted for a long time: it was already cultivated by the Mayans between -900 and -300 BC. JC! The Kanem of Chad (9th century) made pancakes from it, while the Aztecs harvested it to produce a kind of cheese.
In 1950, the scientific community took a closer interest in its constituents. It is then that we discover that it has exceptional nutritional value thanks to its content of proteins, unsaturated lipids, antioxidant vitamins and essential minerals.
In 1960, it was recognized by the WHO (World Health Organization) and UNICEF (United Nations Children's Fund) for its properties.
In 1970, it was the UN (United Nations Organization) which considered it “the best food of the future”.
Since 1980, it has even been studied by NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) for space shuttle production.
What is the composition of spirulina?
Before we expand on what it contains, let's talk about what it doesn't contain:
- saturated fats;
- sugar ;
- salt.
It can thus be consumed by people suffering from heart failure, diabetics and hypertensives. But also by each of us, the Western diet being overloaded with these three elements. Now, let's look at its composition:
Plant proteins
Spirulina is full of plant proteins : more than 65 grams per 100 grams of spirulina. Add to this 8 amino acids that the body cannot produce on its own.
Small bonus, and not the least: its proteins are highly assimilable by the body. No loss!
Vitamins
The list is long. To put it simply, it contains them all, except vitamin C!
Take your spirulina supplement with a glass of orange juice or vitamin C powder ... And presto, that's it, you've just stocked up on vitamins (or almost, as we see just below).
As a reminder, all these vitamins are:
- vitamin A (for vision);
- vitamin B1 (cell growth);
- vitamin B2 (for energy);
- vitamin B3 (against cholesterol);
- vitamin B5 (fights stress);
- vitamin B6 (nail and hair growth);
- vitamin B7 (synthesis of fatty and amino acids);
- vitamin B8 (sebum reduction);
- vitamin B9 (against anemia);
- vitamin B12 (prevention of cardiovascular diseases);
- vitamin D (bone strengthening);
- vitamin E (antioxidant);
- vitamin K (blood coagulant).
Important detail to know all the same: only 20% of the vitamin B12 contained in spirulina is bio-absorbable.
If you wish to increase your intake of vitamin B12, do not hesitate to consume foods rich in it (fish, liver, seafood, etc.) or to opt for a vitamin B12 treatment (especially if you follow a diet vegetarian or vegan).
In this specific case, separate the intake of spirulina and vitamin B12 by a few hours so that they do not compete during assimilation by the body.
Beta-carotene
It is an antioxidant that fights against premature aging of the body.
Minerals and trace elements
Spirulina is very rich in minerals (iron, magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, potassium, etc.) as well as trace elements (copper, chromium, zinc, selenium).
Phycocyanin
This pigment (which gives spirulina its unique blue-green color) supports the immune system and contains antioxidants.
Gamma-linolenic acid
It is an essential fatty acid . It has anti-inflammatory power and reduces cholesterol.
We recommend you
Organic Spirulina
100% pure and natural organic spirulina rich in vegetable proteins, minerals and vitamins.
- ✅ Dried and cold compressed
- ✅ Optimal dosage (500 mg / tablet)
- ✅ Certified Organic by Ecocert
- ✅ 3 months of treatment
What are the benefits of spirulina?
It supports the immune system
Thanks to its contribution of vitamins, trace elements and minerals, spirulina helps to strengthen the immune system .
It promotes tone and vitality
Certain B vitamins contained in spirulina are essential in the production of energy as well as for the proper functioning of the brain.
It has an antioxidant action
As you have seen, beta-carotene, vitamin E and phycocyanin are antioxidants . All three are contained in spirulina.
They participate in the fight against premature aging of your body. Antioxidants also preserve the youthfulness of cells throughout your body, including those of the eyes by helping to prevent cataracts and AMD (age-related macular degeneration).
It helps detoxify the body
A short technical course on detoxification: it is in the liver that this action takes place. Detoxification (or detox) is carried out in 2 stages and aims to release toxins in order to make them soluble and thus evacuate them via urine or feces. It frees your body from unnecessary, even toxic, excess.
To do this, your body needs vitamins A, D3, E, B and calcium, magnesium, iron and amino acids.
Additionally, spirulina has a very high concentration of chlorophyll , one of nature's most powerful detoxifying agents, which helps bind heavy metals like aluminum, cadmium, lead, arsenic and mercury. in order to eliminate them.
These heavy metals can be responsible for a certain number of disorders (digestive problems, fatigue and headaches). By providing all of this to your body, you allow it to undergo a detox cure .
It promotes the beauty of hair, nails and skin
Due to its antioxidant action, spirulina brings youth and elasticity to the skin .
Furthermore, vitamin B6 present in spirulina promotes the growth of hair and nails , while vitamin B9 reduces sebum for an anti-dandruff effect.
Finally, spirulina is extremely rich in carotenoids , and beta-carotene (a skin pigment, precursor of vitamin A) which helps activate the tan and protect the skin from UV rays. Do not hesitate to learn more about this subject in our article dedicated to the benefits of spirulina for better tanning .
It supports sports performance
Sports friends, spirulina is made for you too. Its amino acids help build your muscles . Its calcium and magnesium content fight against muscle cramps . It improves your sports performance and helps you recover faster.
It participates in the fight against nutritional deficiencies
Stop the deficiencies! Thanks to its exceptional nutritional richness, spirulina provides the body with a large number of nutrients it needs.
How to choose the right spirulina food supplement?
Be careful to choose your supplement carefully! Some spirulina may contain traces of toxins, such as microcystins and salmonella. It is therefore important to select supplements from serious and controlled circuits.
Traceability
When selecting your spirulina, look at its origin. If it is not indicated, it is because the seller does not wish to communicate its origin (most likely because it is Chinese).
And if it comes from France, it will surely be very expensive or low in dosage!
It is in order to make no compromise on quality while offering spirulina at a reasonable price that we have opted for spirulina grown in India , a country with optimal climatic conditions for its cultivation! It is then analyzed and packaged in France and certified Organic Agriculture by Ecocert, which again ensures end-to-end traceability.
Protein and phycocyanin content
The content of active ingredients is essential because the benefits of your treatment will depend on this content. Make sure it contains at least 60% protein and 14% phycocyanin.
The drying method: opt for cold drying
Cold drying of spirulina allows the perfect preservation of the properties of its components as well as its nutritional benefits.
The format: tablets are practical!
Prefer to use tablets: they are easier to consume and their dosage of 500 mg is perfect. In addition, they do not have an unpleasant smell and taste.
Dosage and advice for using spirulina
If you want to start a course of organic spirulina tablets , start your course by taking 1 tablet per day with a glass of water before or during a meal.
Then, gradually increase the daily quantity until you reach the average dose of 6 tablets per day (or more, depending on your needs).
Recommended daily doses depending on the individual:
- Healthy adults: 4 to 6 tablets;
- Pregnant woman: 6 to 8 tablets;
- Athlete: 8 to 10 tablets.
Warning: do not exceed 10 tablets per day (i.e. 5 grams).
For maximum effectiveness, opt for a treatment of at least 2 or 3 months .
Spirulina: contraindications
Spirulina is contraindicated in people suffering from phenylketonuria, allergies or having high levels of uric acid in the blood.
