| |
Spirulina TabletsSpirulina is green/blue algae that are one of the many organisms that give the green colour to stagnant ponds. Spirulina grows naturally in tropical and subtropical lakes with high pH and high concentrations of carbonate and bicarbonate. It is commonly used as food supplements.
For centuries Aztecs have been eating Spirulina. The earliest record reveals that it grew in Lake Texcoco, and was collected and sold as food. The first Spirulina manufacturing factory was established in 1970s. Recent years it has become a popular thing in the world, and has been approved by the FDA, WHO and other medical authorities as health food.
Spirulina is rich in proteins, vitamins and minerals. It contains Lysine, Cysteine, Methionine, Phenylalanine and Threonine, which are important amino acids that can only be acquired by human beings through food. Spirulina is also a very rich source of Vitamin B-12. It has much higher iron content than Spinach. It contains much higher amounts of Beta-Carotene than carrots.
As a food Spirulina has been consumed in various forms over centuries in different parts of the world. Its protein constituent can be easily digested form. It also contains minerals, vitamins, essential fatty acids and antioxidants that are not available to humans from any single food of vegetable or animal source known so far.
Spirulina is helpful in preventing gastro enteric disturbances as it enhances intestinal flora such as Lactobacillus and Bifidus bacteria. It is also known to reduce the risks of infection by Eschericha Coli and Canrdida Albicans, two virulent gastroenteritis pathogens. Spirulina by virtue of its fatty acid contents is known to reduce Cholesterol. It contains anti-oxidant radicals that scavenge highly reactive free radicals that are known to be involved in the occurrence of many degenerative disorders such as cancer.
Spirulina helps prevent heart damage caused by chemotherapy using Doxorubicin, without interfering with its anti-tumor activity. Spirulina reduces the severity of strokes and improves recovery of movement after a stroke; reverses age-related declines in memory and learning; and prevents and treats hay fever.
Spirulina is a highly nutritious health food which is an excellent source of 5 major nutrients (Protein, Fat, Carbohydrate, Vitamins and Minerals) and 4 natural pigments (Chlorophyll, Beta Carotene, Xanthopyll and Phycocyanin). This highly alkaline seaweed can be readily digested and easily assimilated by the human body. It is an ideal food supplement for achieving vital health and energy.
Spirulina contains a type of blue pigment called Phycocyanin, making it look blue in colour. According to the classification system of plant food group, spirulina is spiral in shape, which gives it its name. It is also known as the ‘blue green algae’. Currently there are around 35 types of Spirulina including Calothrix brevissima, Tolypothrix tenuis, Aulosira fertillissima, Anaba-circularis etc. However, only those with larger dimensions, stronger replicative capabilities and higher protein content are classified into the food group.
Dietetic therapy with Spirulina for those with diabetes mellitus Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disease in which carbohydrate utilization is reduced and blood glucose level is extremely high. Those with untreated diabetes mellitus finally show various symptoms complicated with diabetic nephropathy, diabetic neuropathy and diabetic retinopathy.
The basic treatment for diabetes mellitus consists of the daily control of blood glucose levels and calorie control by dietetic therapy.
These patients are required to reduce their food intake and to supplement balanced amounts of necessary nutrients and dietary fiber. These conflicting demands are fulfilled only by Spirulina which contains protein and trace elements abundantly.
Spirulina has been found to have significant positive effects on people suffering from type 2 diabetes mellitus. It is reported that spirulina has the ability to reduce he fasting blood sugar levels in the body after 6 to 8 weeks of intake.
These micro-algae contain a near-perfect ratio of high-density proteins (twelve times more protein than beef, remember?) and complex carbohydrates. Spirulina has the added benefit of providing GLA, which has also been shown effective at controlling blood sugar levels and diabetes.
Spirulina is a boon for diabetics. Spirulina on regular intake is found to reduce the incidence of diabetic retinopathy. It is also found that on regular intake of spirulina non insulin diabetes mellitus responds on a long term basis. Spirulina will be helpful in controlling the long term cardiovascular complications and retinopathy as revealed by research. It becomes therefore necessary for a diabetic patient to supplement his diet with spirulina. Taking into account the various advantages that spirulina offers to diabetic patients it becomes important for spirulina to be taken by all diabetic patients. Taking spirulina as tablets or capsules has a low compliance level among patients due to psychological reasons and so our product stands to provide an advantage over the other existing formulations Ingesting only 2 grams of Spirulina, daily, effectively reduces the level of interleukin-4 in the body, thereby greatly reducing allergy symptoms. Spirulina also inhibits production of viruses within the body.
|
|