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.