What is Spirulina?

Spirulina platensis is an edible cyanobacterium and not a true algae, although it was originally considered as such. It consists of nucleus-less cells and is therefore, unlike algae, a so-called eukaryote. There are around 35 species of Spirulina, the most well-known of which is Arthrospira platensis (also Spirulina platensis called).

Spirulina is still referred to as blue-green algae today because it contains various pigments, including the blue pigment phycocyanin. Together with the green pigment chlorophyll, this creates a blue-green color.

Its natural habitat is alkaline salt lakes (pH 9-11), where it can grow even at temperatures above 40 °C.

Over time, various scientific studies have demonstrated its exceptional composition and the diverse benefits associated with its consumption. There are now more than 3,000 scientific studies published on spirulina since 1967: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=spirulina

Spirulina is rich in trace elements, Amino acids and essential fatty acids such as the valuable gamma-linolenic acid. Spirulina also has a very high Potassium content higher than most other algae. In addition to vitamins, minerals, trace elements and secondary plant substances can be found in Spirulina platensis also pharmacologically important ingredients such as phenols and phycocyanins.

Possible therapeutic use of Spirulina

immune system

In relation to the benefits of spirulina Scientific studies demonstrate the microalgae's high content of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants for immunity. These include, in particular, beta-carotene and calcium spirulan, a polysaccharide whose effects are particularly positive for immunity.

Studies show that supplementation leads to an increased release of immune-stimulating Proteins and one increased activity of natural killer cells, as well as T and B cells. Production of Antibodies and immune-relevant messenger substances are stimulated.

The Combination of Spirulina with zinc in supporting the immune system. But also combined with selenium In animal experiments, the body's own immune defenses could be improved.

Recent research also confirms a immunomodulatory effect in allergies such as rhinitis. A 12-week intake of 1000-2000 mg of Spirulina significantly reduced the production of the allergy-typical interleukin IL-4 in those affected. Even annoying Symptoms such as sneezing, itching and nasal congestion were significantly alleviated by Spirulina.

A 2011 review also states that the microalgae can be particularly useful for allergy sufferers, because it has anti-inflammatory properties and inhibits histamine release. Even a dose of 1 to 2 g per day for 12 weeks improved relevant allergy markers in hay fever patients – and in a placebo-controlled, double-blind study, the algae alleviated typical hay fever symptoms, such as a runny nose, itchy eyes, etc.

Clinical human studies from 2005 and 2020 have shown that Spirulina can cause allergic reactions (e.g. Hay fever) can relieve and prevent (cf. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7416373/ and https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/jmf.2005.8.27 )

Body's own detoxification

Spirulina is particularly rich in chlorophyll: 100 grams of spirulina powder can provide up to 1500 mg of chlorophyll. For 4 grams of spirulina—the usual daily intake—this would correspond to 60 mg. By comparison, a head or iceberg lettuce provides only 2 mg of chlorophyll per 100 grams.

Studies show that chlorophyll is a potent antioxidant and contributes to the body's detoxification, especially of heavy metals:

Chlorophyll contributes to the detoxification of the body in several ways:

· Binding of toxins: Chlorophyll can bind heavy metals (such as mercury and lead) and carcinogenic substances (e.g. from grilled meat or cigarette smoke) and promote their excretion through the stool.

· Liver support: Chlorophyll stimulates the production of enzymes that help the liver break down and excrete toxins. Chlorophyll is particularly effective in detoxifying aflatoxins (mold toxins).

· Neutralization of free radicals: As a powerful antioxidant, chlorophyll protects cells from oxidative stress and can reduce DNA damage caused by environmental toxins.

· Promotes an alkaline environment: Unlike most other protein sources—whether animal or plant—spirulina is a highly alkaline protein source. Meat, fish, cheese, nuts, and soy products, on the other hand, are acid-forming. Spirulina can therefore help reduce excess acidity in the body, facilitating detoxification. The PRAL value can serve as a rough guide to alkaline potential. Negative values ​​indicate that the food is alkaline, while positive values ​​indicate that it is acid-forming:

· Spirulina dried: -22.1

· Fresh Spirulina: -2.9

· Salmon: +10.1

· Steak: +8.6

· oatmeal : +7.1

· Gouda: +18.9

· Tofu: +2.6

· Supports intestinal health: Chlorophyll binds toxins in the intestines, promotes digestion and inhibits the growth of harmful bacteria.

Antioxidant effect (chronic inflammation)

Studies on Arthrospira platensis have particularly highlighted the anti-inflammatory effect of phycocyanin, the blue pigment of spirulina.

A clinical human study from 2021 was able to prove the antioxidant effect of spirulina (see https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/ijcp.14618 ).

Type 2 diabetes

The systematic review and meta-analysis entitled "The effect of spirulina on type 2 diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis" (cf. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40200-021-00760-z ) investigated the effects of spirulina supplementation on blood sugar and blood lipid levels in patients with type 2 diabetes. Eight studies with a total of nine trial arms were included in the analysis. The results showed that spirulina supplementation resulted in significant improvements in several areas:

• Fasting blood sugar: Reduction by an average of 17.88 mg/dl (95% CI: −26.99 to −8.78; I²: 25%).
• Triglyceride: Decrease by 30.99 mg/dl (95% CI: −45.20 to −16.77; I²: 50%).
• Total cholesterol: Reduction of 18.47 mg/dl (95% CI: −33.54 to −3.39; I²: 73%).
• LDL cholesterol: Reduction of 20.04 mg/dl (95% CI: −34.06 to −6.02; I²: 75%).
• VLDL cholesterol: Reduction by 6.96 mg/dl (95% CI: −9.71 to −4.22; I²: 33%).
• HDL cholesterol: Increase of 6.96 mg/dl (95% CI: 4.22 to 9.71; I²: 33%).

Overall, these results suggest that spirulina may have beneficial effects on fasting blood glucose and lipid profile in patients with type 2 diabetes.

The review article "Effects of Spirulina on Weight Loss and Blood Lipids: A Review" (cf. https://openheart.bmj.com/content/7/1/e001003 ) investigated the effects of spirulina on weight loss and blood lipid levels, finding that spirulina can contribute to the reduction of body fat, waist circumference, body mass index (BMI), and appetite. Spirulina also shows significant benefits in improving blood lipid levels.

One possible mechanism for the beneficial effects of spirulina is the inhibition of NADPH oxidase by phycocyanobilin, a component of spirulina's phycocyanin. This could lead to a reduction of oxidative stress in adipocytes, potentially resulting in systemic anti-inflammatory and insulin-sensitizing effects.

high blood pressure

A 2021 human clinical study showed that spirulina can lower blood pressure (cf. https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/13/9/3054 The authors found that taking spirulina led to a significant reduction in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure.

Cognitive abilities

A human clinical study from 2021 (see https://www.mdpi.com/1660-3397/19/6/293 ) investigated the potential benefits of spirulina for brain health. The authors analyzed both experimental and clinical studies and found evidence that spirulina possesses antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective properties. These properties may contribute to the prevention and alleviation of brain diseases. Some clinical studies suggest that spirulina may reduce mental fatigue, protect the brain's vascular walls from endothelial damage, and regulate blood pressure, which may contribute to the prevention of cerebrovascular diseases.

In addition, the intake of spirulina appears to improve motor, language and cognitive skills in malnourished children, suggesting a supportive role in developmental processes.

Hair, skin and nails

Spirulina contains B vitamins and especially Biotin and riboflavin as well as provitamin A, zinc , antioxidants and plant proteins. Riboflavin (vitamin B2), for example, is involved in Synthesis of keratin , the main component of hair and nails. The gamma-linoleic acid contained in Arthrospira platensis also contributes to skin elasticity.

fatigue

To combat fatigue are blue-green algae, an excellent source of assimilable iron.

It was previously claimed that spirulina inhibited iron absorption. However, several studies now show that spirulina can correct existing iron deficiency:

In 2020, an Indonesian study of 60 pregnant women who had low hemoglobin levels found that Spirulina was able to raise the value from 10 to 13.3 in half of the women within 8 weeks (cf. https://www.internationaljournalofcaringsciences.org/docs/28_nurhayiati_original_13_3.pdfThe other half received a conventional iron supplement, which failed to improve their values. What's interesting about this study is that the daily dose was only 300 mg, so their iron content could hardly have been decisive.

A 2021 study involving 240 Kenyan children aged 6 to 23 months showed that the microalgae is excellent for treating iron deficiency anemia. The children were given soy-corn porridge three times a day. Some of the children were also given Porridge Spirulina (0.4%). They recovered from their iron deficiency anemia significantly faster than those who received only the porridge (without added microalgae). The recovery rate of the children also exceeded the minimum values ​​set by the WHO (cf. https://bmcnutr.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s40795-021-00472-w) that a food intervention must fulfill.

Liver, intestines and digestion

The antioxidant properties of spirulina can positive effect on the liver Studies suggest that the substances contained in blue-green algae, such as phycocyanin, chlorophyll, and polysaccharides, have a protective effect on the liver. This allows harmful substances to be excreted from the body more efficiently and protects the liver from oxidative stress and cell damage.

Spirulina can also positive effects on intestinal health and digestion The nutrients contained in the blue-green algae can healthy intestinal flora In addition, spirulina is a good source of fiber in larger quantities.

Cancer

The effect of ingredients from spirulina algae on tumor cells and healthy liver cells is the subject of a new project at the Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg (BTU). Scientists from the BTU's Molecular Cell Biology and Thermodynamics departments are developing the basis for a new drug to combat the disease in the AVantiLT project. The goal is to identify the active ingredient in spirulina that is active in tumor cells and to elucidate its mechanisms of action using new systems biology methods. Both are necessary to develop a new drug from a bioactive mixture of natural substances and later test it in clinical trials.

"It has long been known that spirulina's constituents are capable of inhibiting the growth of cells from various types of cancer," says Prof. Dr. Jan-Heiner Küpper, head of the Molecular Cell Biology Department. "This does not appear to be the case for cells from healthy tissue. This would make these constituents ideally suited as anti-tumor drugs. However, systematic studies on this topic are still lacking."

In this project, the scientists are pursuing a systematic research approach for the first time to investigate the effects of spirulina on a specific and particularly malignant type of cancer. "This allows us to investigate the current, still rather vague knowledge about the effects of spirulina on both healthy and pathologically altered human cells," says Dr. Sarah Kammerer, co-applicant in the project and member of the BTU Department of Molecular Cell Biology.

Frequently asked question: Is the vitamin B12 contained in spirulina useful?

Spirulina is not considered a good source of vitamin B12, as the vitamin B12 it contains is largely unusable for humans. Blue-green algae was considered a good source of vitamin B12. Then it was discovered that although it contains vitamin B12 and can be absorbed, it apparently does not have the desired vitamin B12 properties and effects.

However, a 2019 study on rats suffering from vitamin B12 deficiency showed that the algae led to numerous improvements in typical deficiency symptoms, which could indicate an effect. B12 deficiency-related tissue changes in the spleen, lungs, and testes reversed with the administration of spirulina, leading the Indian scientists to write, the microalgae can serve as a bioavailable plant-based source of vitamin B12 (cf. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jfbc.13038).

The microalgae is therefore still an unreliable source of vitamin B12.

Possible side effects

Most people consider Spirulina to be well tolerated, but when taking in rare cases side effects appear:

Since Spirulina stimulates digestion, it can cause irritation in sensitive individuals, especially at the beginning of supplementation. temporary discomfort such as flatulence, diarrhea or abdominal cramps However, these symptoms usually subside once the body becomes accustomed to the algae products.

People with hyperthyroidism or those taking medications that affect the thyroid should careful with spirulina Due to its high iodine content, the algae could in these cases Further stimulate thyroid activity.

Sources:

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