Fact: It grows naturally in tropical and subtropical lakes with high pH (meaning high acidity) and high concentrations of carbonate and bicarbonate. It consumes a carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrogen oxide (NO) and/or sulfur oxide (SO) and releases Oxygen (O2).
Benefit: These properties (said above) have made it useful in naturally purifying polluted water bodies like lakes and rivers in tropical regions and also systems are being developed that purify air using Spirulina. The algae used for this process have high level of toxins in them and are not suitable for human consumption.
Fact: Spirulina Alga is one of the most adaptable organisms that can grow in harshest of climates from (32 to 45 degrees C) and has even survived in temperatures of 60 degrees C.
Benefit: This algae can be heated or processed but still retains its nutritional value unlike plants and vegetables that lose most of its nutritional value when heated.
Fact: It is said to have extreme high concentrations of several nutirents needs for human body. It is said to have close to 100 nutrients. Below is a list of common nutrients found and their benefits:
Proteins: 55-77% of the weight.
Benefit: It is a complete protein with all amino acids. It is one of the richest sources of protein – 300-400% more than beef or fish. Also the proteins from the algae are absorbed 400% more easily than from beef.
Vitamins: A, B1, B2, B3, B6, B9, B12, C, D, E.
Benefit: Almost all required vitamins are found in this algae and not only that they are very rich in them. For example it has 900% more beta-carotene/Vitamin A than in carrots. All vitamins constitute to a very healthy well being.
Minerals: Potassium, Calcium, Chromium, Copper, Iron, Magnesium, Manganese, Phosphorus, Selenium, Sodium, and Zinc.
Benefit: They also have essential minerals whose deficiency might lead to cardiovascular disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, anxiety disorders and osteoporosis.
Essential Fatty Acids: Gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), Linoleic acid (LA), Stearidonic acid (SDA), Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and Arachidonic acid (AA).
Benefit: It helps in several aspects of bosy like for good skin, treatment of Alzheimer, cancer, helps pregnant moms during and after child birth, essential for central nervous system and functioning of heart and general metabolism, high volumes of linolenic acids reduce cholesterol and prevent heart disease.
Photosynthetic Pigments: chlorophyll-a, xanthophyll, beta-carotene, echinenone, myxoxanthophyll, zeaxanthin, canthaxanthin, diatoxanthin, 3′-hydroxyechinenone, beta-cryptoxanthin, oscillaxanthin, phycobiliproteins c-phycocyanin and allophycocyanin.
Benefit: The high levels of these elements explain Spirulina algaes ability to thwart cancer colonies. It has the gift to improve your bodies natural immune system, that can help to battle cancer cells and other diseases like the common cold or HIV. Japanese have long been using Spirulina to cure/reduce effects of cancer. Russia is said to have used Spirulina to improve the immunity of children affected by radiation from Chernobyl accident.