Spirulina Geitler (Blue-Green Algae)
Other Common Names: Blue-Green Algae, Spirulina geitler, S. maxima, S. platenis
Spirulina is one of about 1,500 known species of blue-green algae
that grow in brackish ponds and lives in mild and hot climates
throughout the world. Pure spirulina is a source of protein and
contains a number of vitamins and minerals including beta carotene,
vitamin B12, and gamma linolenic acid. The WHO recognizes the
nutritional importance of spirulina in parts of the world where there
is protein malnutrition. However, in the amounts normally consumed when
taken according to label directions, the nutrients derived are
insignificant. As a food, spirulina can be legally marketed as long as
it is labeled accurately and contains no contaminated or adulterated
substances.
Long before spirulina became a favorite of the health food industry,
it was eaten by North Africans and Mexicans centuries ago, used for
protein food in Lake Chad and by Aztecs before conquistadores. The
plant was discovered by the Western world in 1962. Since then, it has
been cultivated in several countries, including Thailand, Japan,
Taiwan, and the United States. Part of man's fascination with spirulina
stems from the fact that the plant is a survivor. It grows almost by
itself on lakes and ponds and doesn?t need any special care from the
farmer.
Blue-green algae products contain all the amino acids and are
marketed as body rejuvenators, which improve energy levels, decrease
appetite, and increase mental energy. These products are commonly used
for weight loss and fasting and are sold in powdered or tablet form.
Excellent protein supplement (72% of dry weight). 10 tons per acre
(wheat - 0.16 ton per acre; cattle 0.16 ton per acre. A bit low in S-
amino acids but superior to all plant protein sources and equal to meat
or dairy products.
Sterols in Spirulina lower cholesterol. Spirulina extracts inhibit growth of oral cancer cells.
A daily dose of the blue-green algae 'Spirulina' may help prevent
cancer of the mouth, a study shows. The finding could benefit people in
developing countries where the algae is cheaper than vitamins. After
one year of consuming only one gram of the algae daily, 45 percent of
the volunteers had complete regression of the thick, white,
pre-cancerous patches in the mouth known as leukoplakia. Adding in
those volunteers who showed significant improvement raised the figure
to 57 percent who benefitted from 'Spirulina'. That compared to seven
percent of those who got a placebo.
The study--the first human evaluation of the cancer-preventive
potential of 'Spirulina'--was coordinated by an ARS researcher and
conducted in southwestern India where the incidence of leukoplakia is
high. The researchers tested 'Spirulina' because it is an inexpensive
source of beta carotene and related carotenoids in many developing
countries. In other research, the algae has inhibited oral cancer in
animal studies, while beta carotene or vitamin A supplements have
reversed pre-cancerous conditions in people's mouths. Cancer of the
mouth and of the cervix--which has the same kind of mucus membrane--is
on the rise worldwide.
Known Hazards: Claims have been made that phenylalanine, an
amino acid found in spirulina (and in most other protein sources),
"acts on the brain's appetite center to switch off your hunger pangs."
However, an FDA advisory panel reviewing data on phenylalanine found no
reliable scientific data to demonstrate that it is safe and effective
as an appetite suppressant.
Some nutritionists fear that consuming large amounts of spirulina
might have an effect similar to that of the liquid protein diets which
resulted in heart problems and even death for some dieters. Helene
Swenerton, a nutritionist at the University of California's Davis
Cooperative Extension, points out that because algae are single-celled
organisms, they are rich in nucleic acids providing not only a lot of
protein but also large amounts of uric acid, which could result in
kidney stones or gout.
- George Nava True II. Spirulina: Health Food or Fraud? -
Judith Willis. ABOUT BODY WRAPS, PILLS AND OTHER MAGIC WANDS FOR LOSING
WEIGHT. U.S. Food and Drug Administration FDA CONSUMER, November 1982
- Padmanabhan P. Nair. CHEAP ALGAE COULD CURB MOUTH CANCER. Beltsville
Human Nutrition Research Center, Beltsville, MD. - U. S. Food and Drug
Administration Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition
Other Common Names: Blue-Green Algae, Spirulina geitler, S. maxima, S. platenis
Spirulina is one of about 1,500 known species of blue-green algae
that grow in brackish ponds and lives in mild and hot climates
throughout the world. Pure spirulina is a source of protein and
contains a number of vitamins and minerals including beta carotene,
vitamin B12, and gamma linolenic acid. The WHO recognizes the
nutritional importance of spirulina in parts of the world where there
is protein malnutrition. However, in the amounts normally consumed when
taken according to label directions, the nutrients derived are
insignificant. As a food, spirulina can be legally marketed as long as
it is labeled accurately and contains no contaminated or adulterated
substances.
Long before spirulina became a favorite of the health food industry,
it was eaten by North Africans and Mexicans centuries ago, used for
protein food in Lake Chad and by Aztecs before conquistadores. The
plant was discovered by the Western world in 1962. Since then, it has
been cultivated in several countries, including Thailand, Japan,
Taiwan, and the United States. Part of man's fascination with spirulina
stems from the fact that the plant is a survivor. It grows almost by
itself on lakes and ponds and doesn?t need any special care from the
farmer.
Blue-green algae products contain all the amino acids and are
marketed as body rejuvenators, which improve energy levels, decrease
appetite, and increase mental energy. These products are commonly used
for weight loss and fasting and are sold in powdered or tablet form.
Excellent protein supplement (72% of dry weight). 10 tons per acre
(wheat - 0.16 ton per acre; cattle 0.16 ton per acre. A bit low in S-
amino acids but superior to all plant protein sources and equal to meat
or dairy products.
Sterols in Spirulina lower cholesterol. Spirulina extracts inhibit growth of oral cancer cells.
A daily dose of the blue-green algae 'Spirulina' may help prevent
cancer of the mouth, a study shows. The finding could benefit people in
developing countries where the algae is cheaper than vitamins. After
one year of consuming only one gram of the algae daily, 45 percent of
the volunteers had complete regression of the thick, white,
pre-cancerous patches in the mouth known as leukoplakia. Adding in
those volunteers who showed significant improvement raised the figure
to 57 percent who benefitted from 'Spirulina'. That compared to seven
percent of those who got a placebo.
The study--the first human evaluation of the cancer-preventive
potential of 'Spirulina'--was coordinated by an ARS researcher and
conducted in southwestern India where the incidence of leukoplakia is
high. The researchers tested 'Spirulina' because it is an inexpensive
source of beta carotene and related carotenoids in many developing
countries. In other research, the algae has inhibited oral cancer in
animal studies, while beta carotene or vitamin A supplements have
reversed pre-cancerous conditions in people's mouths. Cancer of the
mouth and of the cervix--which has the same kind of mucus membrane--is
on the rise worldwide.
Known Hazards: Claims have been made that phenylalanine, an
amino acid found in spirulina (and in most other protein sources),
"acts on the brain's appetite center to switch off your hunger pangs."
However, an FDA advisory panel reviewing data on phenylalanine found no
reliable scientific data to demonstrate that it is safe and effective
as an appetite suppressant.
Some nutritionists fear that consuming large amounts of spirulina
might have an effect similar to that of the liquid protein diets which
resulted in heart problems and even death for some dieters. Helene
Swenerton, a nutritionist at the University of California's Davis
Cooperative Extension, points out that because algae are single-celled
organisms, they are rich in nucleic acids providing not only a lot of
protein but also large amounts of uric acid, which could result in
kidney stones or gout.
- George Nava True II. Spirulina: Health Food or Fraud? -
Judith Willis. ABOUT BODY WRAPS, PILLS AND OTHER MAGIC WANDS FOR LOSING
WEIGHT. U.S. Food and Drug Administration FDA CONSUMER, November 1982
- Padmanabhan P. Nair. CHEAP ALGAE COULD CURB MOUTH CANCER. Beltsville
Human Nutrition Research Center, Beltsville, MD. - U. S. Food and Drug
Administration Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition
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