Benefits -
Why Take Spirulina?
Spirulina is the ultimate natural nutritional supplement.
It contains the most complete source of nutrients found in
any single food. Spirel Spirulina typically contains over
65% protein, more than any other food including meat and fish.
Proteins are necessary for maintaining tissues, sustaining
growth and making hormones in the body. Spirulina contains
the eight essential and 10 other amino acids and a greater
concentration of vitamins and nutrients than any other natural
food. Just 3 to 10 grams of Spirel Spirulina a day gives impressive
amounts of beta carotene, B complex vitamins, Vitamin E, essential
trace minerals and gamma linolenic acid (GLA). Spirulina is
also a major source of iron and calcium.
Detox
Our bodies are constantly subjected to an onslaught
of toxic chemicals from the air, water, food and drugs and
need to continually eliminate these toxins. It has long been
known that spirulina accelerates detoxification especially
during fasting as spirulina has a unique combination of phytonutrients
that can help cleanse our bodies. There is also evidence that
spirulina significantly reduces kidney toxicity caused by
some heavy metals. Spirulina was widely used to treat children
suffering radiation sickness after the Chernobyl disaster.
Immune Booster
Spirulina is a powerful tonic for the immune system.
Research and experience indicate that spirulina is an immune
regulating food. Small amounts can help balance and stabilise
the immune system, freeing up more of our metabolic energy
for vitality, healing and assimilation of nutrients. The blue-green
natural protein pigment phycocyanin has been shown in animal
studies to increase lymphocyte activity and stimulate the
production of blood. Phycocyanin probably prevents a host
of degenerative organ diseases by increasing immunity. Complex
sugars from spirulina have been shown to increase antibody
production and infection fighting T-cells. Mice have shown
increased immunity, bone marrow reproduction, growth of thymus
and spleen when fed complex sugars and phycocyanin from spirulina.
Vegetarians & Vegans
Spirel Spirulina products have been approved by both the vegetarian
and vegan societies (except Spirel Royal and Spirel Gold which
contain Royal Jelly). All our other products are of 100% vegetable
origin, including Spirel Vegetarian Capsules which contain
100% Spirel Spirulina in capsules made from vegetarian cellulose.
Spirel Spirulina is, in fact, the ideal food supplement for
vegetarians and vegans. It provides a natural plant source
of protein and is rich in other vitamins and minerals that
vegetarians and vegans commonly lack in their diets, such
as certain amino acids that other vegetable proteins do not
provide.
Athletes
Spirulina is a superfood suited to a high intensity workout.
Taken before exercise it delivers energy and improves stamina.
Spirel Spirulina offers 65% protein and amino acids and is
low in fat. It is helpful in reducing calorific intake, essential
for boxers and weightlifters who must maintain competitive
weights. Cuban elite athletes have taken Spirel Spirulina
for many years as it helps them intensify training before
competition. Spirulina also helps to create and repair muscle
and retain iron in the body. It is beneficial to hillwalkers,
mountain climbers and marathon runners as it improves endurance
and reduces cramp.
Weight loss
Various studies have shown the effectiveness of micro-algae
in weight loss. Spirulina on its own will not bring about
weight loss. However, it does provide the right conditions
within the body to help achieve this goal. Much has been written
recently about the “Glycaemic Index” (GI) of certain foods.
Low GI foods that are slow to break down into sugars are better
for you as they don’t produce a rapid rise in blood sugar
that triggers an increase in insulin which then lowers blood
sugar and starts a food craving. Spirulina is the richest
natural source of Gamma Linolenic Acid (GLA). It provides
three times more GLA than Evening Primrose Oil. Like low GI
foods, GLA helps regulate blood sugar levels and helps prevent
cravings. Spirulina also contains the amino acid Phenylaline,
which helps satisfy your appetite as it triggers a substance
that is found in the appetite control centre of the brain.
Effective weight loss requires a healthy lifestyle. Spirel
Spirulina as part of a healthy diet along with an exercise
regime is an ideal way to achieve weight loss.
Anaemia
Iron is the most common mineral deficiency worldwide.
Iron anaemia is prevalent in women, children, older people
and especially women on weight-loss diets. Iron is essential
for healthy red blood cells and a strong immune system, but
typical iron supplements are not well absorbed by the human
body. Tests have shown that the availability of iron in spirulina
is more than in other iron supplements. Athletes in intensive
training can suffer from non-anaemic iron deficit, with symptoms
such as exhaustion and muscle fatigue. Athletes who took spirulina
for two months showed a distinct rise in iron reserves. The
addition of Spirel Spirulina to your diet can eliminate iron
deficit symptoms and optimise athletic health and physical
capacity.
Cholesterol
Most people are aware of the need to reduce cholesterol
levels in order to lower the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
Spirel Spirulina contains no cholesterol. However, its main
benefit is in reducing blood cholesterol levels particularly
the bad LDL type. Work in Japan has shown that men with high
blood cholesterol who took spirulina for eight weeks without
changing their diet showed a marked reduction in serum cholesterol,
triglyceride and LDL cholesterol.
Anti-Aging
Many people are aware of the value of food supplements
for an aging population. It is well known that the antioxidants
Vitamins C, E and beta carotene attack free radicals that
roam throughout the body wreaking havoc on cells and organs
increasing the aging effect and the risk of cancer. Anti-aging
foods such as spirulina are ideal for older people who do
not eat much, eat inappropriately or cannot absorb enough
nutrients. Spirel Spirulina is the ideal anti-aging whole
food and its high levels of natural beta carotene have been
shown to be much more effective than the synthetic form found
in many supplements.
Digestion
Spirulina is 95% digestible because it has soft cell walls.
It promotes digestion and bowel function. People taking Spirel
Spirulina often notice an immediate change in bowel regularity
and elimination. It suppresses bad bacteria like e-coli and
Candida yeast and stimulates beneficial gut flora like lactobacillus
and bifidobacteria. Healthy lactobacillus in the intestines
provides humans with three major benefits: better digestion
and absorption, protection from infection and stimulation
of the immune system. For these reasons many people take lactobacillus
supplements. Research in Japan showed spirulina increased
lactobacillus by 300% compared to a control group. The study
also showed that spirulina increased the absorption of vitamins
in particular vitamin B1.
Wound healing
People use spirulina in face and body creams and
body wraps. The Kanembu people in Chad use freshly harvested
algae as a skin poultice for treating certain diseases. In
France it has been found that pharmaceutical compounds containing
spirulina accelerated wound healing. In Japan it has been
shown that cosmetic products containing spirulina promoted
skin metabolism and reduced scars. Spirel Spirulina cosmetic
products, including moisturisers, sun creams and anti-cellulite
creams will soon be available. Alternatively, why not try
making your own Spirel Facemask
with Spirel Spirulina powder.
Hangover
Many people today lead busy lives, working all day
and socialising in the evening and at weekends. A Spirel
smoothie in the morning or two glasses of water and some
spirulina tablets or capsules will ward off the worst effects
of a hangover. After too much alcohol, water is essential
for re-hydration. Spirulina adds protein, vitamins and minerals
to help replenish the body’s depleted reserves.
Pets
Spirulina is an excellent supplement for all cats
and dogs helping to give healthy skin and a shiny lustrous
coat. It has been used for many years in bird feed helping
to increase colour, accelerate growth and sexual maturity
and improve fertility rates. It enhances the yellow skin colour
of chickens and increases the yellow colour of egg yolks.
Racehorse owners use spirulina to improve performance and
aid recovery.
Click here for more details on the
benefits of Spirel Spirulina for pets.
Vitamin C (in Spirel C)
Vitamin C is an antioxidant that protects the body against
the destructive effects of free radicals. It is essential
for the maintenance of healthy cells and blood vessels and
improves resistance to colds and flu. It helps iron absorption,
collagen formation, bone growth and amino acid metabolism.
It boosts the immune system and helps maintain healthy muscles,
cartilage, teeth and gums.
Royal Jelly (in Spirel Royal and Spirel Gold)
Little is known about how royal jelly works, but
it does contain high levels of B vitamins, minerals and various
other nutrients. Queen bees feed on royal jelly and live up
to 30 times longer than other female bees. Herbalists claim
that royal jelly is effective in controlling the aging process,
nourishing the skin and erasing facial wrinkles. Royal jelly
has also been used to treat tiredness and depression, and
as a general tonic for treating the menopause. Royal jelly
appears to work in a holistic way rather than having any specific
biological function.
Ginseng (in Spirel G and Spirel Gold)
Panax ginseng or Korean ginseng is an energy booster. It helps
maintain general health and vitality and is said to enhance
athletic performance. Korean ginseng contains naturally occurring
steroids which have a wide range of activities that support
the body’s main processes, giving a revitalising effect.
Click here for a detailed
nutritional analysis of Spirel Spirulina.
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