Spirulina is not a Genetical Modified (GM) food or any new man made food in the new century. It has a long history way back to the Aztec civilisation where it's the main supplies of proteins for the Aztec. Spirulina was re-discover in the 60s by scientists around the world that lead to development of commercial harvesting of Spirulina.
Today Spirulina is widely used worldwide both as food supplement and medicine.
Nutrients Fact
ProteinSpirulina contains an unusually high amount of protein with, between 55% and 77% by dry weight, depending upon the source where the Spirulina is cultivated. It's a complete protein, containing many essential amino acids, though with reduced amounts of Methionine, Cysteine and Lysine when compared to the proteins of meat, eggs, and milk. It is, however, superior to any typical plant protein, such as that from legumes.
7 Essential fatty acids in Spirulina
Gamma-Linolenic Acid (GLA) - GLA is commonly known to be omega 6 oil that are found in abundance in vegetable oil. Studies done in review of the role of fatty acid in brain membrane functions in clinical trial have successfully link the influences of neurotransmission and prostaglandin formation, processes that are vital in the of normal functional of a healthy brain.
Linoleic Acid (LA) - belonging to the omega 6 family that are commonly found in Poppy seed, Safflower oil, Grape seed oil, Sunflower seeds oil, Hemp oil and Corn oils. Together with other family members of omega 6 and 3, Linoleic Acid is known to prevent hair loss and play a role in fast wound healing.
Arachidonic acid (AA) - another members of the omega 6 family being involved in the cellular and enzymes signalling. Found mostly in the brain and muscles cells in human.
Alpha-Linolenic Acid (ALA) - One of the nutritional important omega 3 that may help prevent psychotic disorder, mild hypertensive effects, countering memory impairment and depression in elderly people or people in high risk group.
Stearidonic Acid (SDA) - also sometimes known as Moroctic acid. Belongs to the omega 3 family that are also found in Hemp seed oils, Blackcurrant seed oils, Cyanobacterium Spirulina and Plentesis Spirulina.
Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) and Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA), two of the most closely linked marketed omega 3 oil. It is also commonly known as fish oil. It is to be reminded that eventhough EPA are claimed to be extracted from fish, the fish itself cannot produce EPA. Cold water oceanic fish had their EPA and DHA from foods originates in photosynthetic and heterotrophic microalgae.
These components are known as Essential Fatty Acids because they are valuable for the well being of a human body and it cannot be produced in within the human body.
18 essential vitamins
Spirulina produces 18 essential vitamins, vitamin A (beta-carotene), B1 (Thiamine), B2 (Riboflavin), B3 (Niacin), B5 (Pantothenic acid), B6 (Pyridoxine), B9 (Folic acid), B12 (Cyanocobalamin), B15 (Pangamic Acid), B17 (Laetrile), C (Ascorbic acid), D, E (Tocopherol), F, H, K, Rutin and Choline.
20 Minerals
Spirulina is a rich source of Potassium,Calcium, Sodium, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Iron, Copper, Manganese, Cobalt, Zinc, Iodine, Selenium, Boron, Bromine, Molybdenum, Fluorine, Silicon, Chromium, Sulphur and Chloride.
8 essential Plant based Protein
Isoleucine - form hermoglobin, balances blood sugar and energy, assists muscle recovery.
Methionine - breaks down fats, assists metabolic and helps in removal of heavy metal toxic such as lead and mercury from body.
Valine - promotes metabolism, tissue repair and regulating blood sugar.
Leucine - Helps in hormones production, reduces blood sugar and muscle tissue.
Threonine - Repair bone, maintain healthy skin (found in abdance in collagen) and connective tissues.
Lysine - Aid in Calcium absorption, formation of antibody and collagen.
Phenylalanine - Aid in brain functions such as mood regulation, memory improvement and antidepressant effects.
Tryptophan - Helps relieve stress, effective sleep aid and stabilise mood.
10 Other non essential proteins (can be produce by our body) are:
Alanine, Glycine, Cystine, Arginine, Aspartic acid, Proline, Histidine, Glutamic acid and Serine.
Photosynthetic pigments
Spirulina contains many pigments, including Chlorophyll-a, Xanthophyll, Beta-Carotene, Echinenone, Myxoxanthophyll, Zeaxanthin, Canthaxanthin, Diatoxanthin, 3'-Hydroxyechinenone, Beta-Cryptoxanthin and Oscillaxanthin, plus the Phycobiliproteins C-Phycocyanin and Allophycocyanin.