Written By Miranda Regalado
In this column we are not strangers of speaking about nutrition, minerals and health benefits, but now we take a new direction by bringing the discussion to outer space. We refer to an ancient superfood that has walk with humanity since the Aztecs all the way to astronauts in our time: Spirulina, it is a type of algae that grows both in fresh as in salt water, and we can find it in lakes all over the world. Some of the most widely distributed come from Africa and Asia. This dietary supplement is it used in aquaculture, aquariums and poultry industries as well as for human consumption.
These powerful algae have a powerful taste as well, the somewhat bitter flavor is usually masked with yogurt, juices, smoothies, and even warm teas, but its true punch come from its high concentration of nutrients. A single tablespoon (7 grams) of dried spirulina powder contains 4g protein, 2g carbohydrates, and 1g fat. In addition, NASA included it as a dietary supplement for astronauts on space missions, because they are exposed to such an extreme environment in which their bodies can be affected by many factors. In these missions, Spirulina plays a big role, not only acting as a vegetable protein but also providing almost all the necessary potassium, calcium, magnesium and beta-carotene that the human body needs supported by all eight essential amino acids.
This green fuel it is consider to be the food of the future, because it can grow in a variety of environments and only a small space it is required. With its pack of vitamins and minerals, the benefits keep piling up, because it is believed to contribute to high levels of energy; it also has been well documented their anti-inflammatory properties and their influence on allergies by inhibiting the release of histamine from the cells. There have been major findings showing Spirulina’s efficiency in reducing high-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol after 8 weeks of treatment. Another study with ischemic heart disease patients found a significant reduction in blood cholesterol, triglycerides and LDL cholesterol and an increase in HDL cholesterol. This alga could also have some anti-cancerous qualities.
It is important to mention that even though Spirulina has amazing benefits we could incorporate to our diet in a supplementary capacity, we recommend you to talk to your health practitioner, follow any instructions with care, and obtain your supplements from a reputable source, it is believed that when harvested in the wild, these algae may be contaminated with bacteria or contain traces of heavy metals, these toxins in high concentrations could have a negative influence on the livers health. So, how safe are we to ingesting this plant? People tend to stay within the 10g per day and up to 6 months of use, but again consult your doctor on this matter since it may have an adverse interaction when taken with some prescription drugs, particularly those affecting the immune system and blood clotting.
