6 Superfoods To Detox Your Body-SPIRULINA

Written by ~ Karen Mia

Hello again. We are so ready to present you with all the fabulous deets about the last superfood in our series. As much as we are huge fans of all the foods we’ve discussed in our previous articles, in our humble opinion, we definitely think we've saved the best for last.

Now, although we certainly consider it a food, this substance has been referred to by many names. Seaweed, moss, algae, sea vegetable; and no one is wrong. We may also use these terms interchangeably, but technically this superfood is a cyanobacteria. If you haven’t guessed yet, we are talking about Spirulina.

Spirulina has been lauded for centuries for its high nutritional value, having been referred to as one of the “most nutrient-dense foods” in existence. It’s been around for a long time, and was commonly used in ancient Aztec civilizations, whose name for spirulina was tecuitlatl, which loosely translates loosely to “gold from the Gods”.  Guess you can say this sea algae is worth its weight in gold, at least when it comes to its nutritional profile. 

It’s a popular protein source for vegans, because it is considered a complete source of protein, meaning it has all 9 essential amino acids. It also has the highest protein bioavailability in comparison to all other vegan options, meaning that most of the protein derived from spirulina is properly absorbed into the body.

Spirulina is revered as a sustainable nutrient source and has even been used as a dietary supplement for NASA astronauts on space missions, specifically for this reason.

It is typically harvested from the water, rinsed, sifted and dried, before being ground into a powder for consumption and/or packaging.

 

There has been some confusion as to the difference between spirulina and sea moss. It’s understandable. Both come from the sea, both have been touted as incredible sources of nutrition, both are a big hit in the plant medicine communities, both are colorful. So, we thought we would take a moment to clarify some of the major differences between the two.

Sea moss, aka Irish moss is an edible sea plant or vegetable that grows primarily in the Caribbean and on the Atlantic Coast. It grows in a variety of colors such as green, yellow/gold, red and purple. The most common way to consume sea moss is in gel form, but they can also be ground into a powder. It has virtually no taste.

On the other hand, Spirulina is a biomass of edible cyanobacteria (blue-green algae). It is the very definition of “good bacteria”, of which there are three species: Arthrospira Platensis, A. fusiformis, and A. maxima, but Arthrospira Platensis is the strain most often consumed as a dietary supplement and whole food, or as a feed supplement in aquarium industries.

Spirulina can be cultivated worldwide in either saltwater and freshwater, occurring naturally in tropical and subtropical lakes and other water sources with high pH levels.  It is intentionally farmed in open-channel raceway ponds, and it is also possible to grow spirulina from home -as long as you have the right supplies. Astronauts have even learned how to grow it in space!

Because spirulina will only thrive in water with high pH levels, spirulina is considered an alkaline food, inheriting pH levels upward of 8.5+. Alkaline foods are known to promote a balanced pH in the body, which can help balance the bodies internal systems in many ways.

Spirulina is said to have a “fishy” taste, that some people may not enjoy.  As far as a comparison between their nutritional benefits are concerned, they generally even out. Spirulina contains more protein than sea moss but less folate, while sea moss contains more iodine than spirulina. They both contain a low number of calories, fat, and carbs, and are both great sources of fiber.

We won’t show partiality to one or the other, as both are incredibly beneficial in their own ways. What it really comes down to are the needs and personal preferences of the individual. We humans tend to be drawn more toward the nutrients that our bodies are naturally lacking.

History

In diving deep into the origins of the previous 5 featured superfoods we’ve covered in this series, we have discovered that most of them have roots that span from hundreds, even thousands of years ago.

Yet spirulina has them all beat. In fact, it is one of the oldest plants on Earth, with a history that goes deep into ancient times, finding its origin in the first ages of life 3.5 billion years ago. The algae were used for various purposes by primitive civilizations - in other words “cavemen” - who populated the regions of South America and Africa.

Fast forward to the 12^th through 15^th centuries and we once again look to those nutritional gurus - the Mayans and Aztecs - who understood very well the benefits of utilizing plants of both land and sea for their nutritional benefits. There is much to be said in that although the life expectancy for these tribes was low at that time, it was not due to illness or disease. Rather, their short average life span can be attributed to the men lost in their near constant wars, the dangers of childbirth and infant mortality rates, bad hygiene practices, and the regular religious human sacrifices to appease their Gods.

When considering the rich history of these tribes, it is imperative to point out that dis-eases and inflammatory conditions such as Crohn’s, Hashimoto’s, fibromyalgia, and diabetes were unheard of, and rates of chronic obesity, cancer and rheumatism in these regions were nearly nonexistent. People living in the Lake Chad, Africa area also used spirulina for medicinal purposes for many years, and the same can be said for their low rates of illness and disease at that time.

Nutritional Value * per tablespoon

Calories	20.3
Protein	4.02 g
Carbohydrate	1.67 g
Fat	0.54 g
Calcium	8.4 mg
Iron	2 mg
Magnesium	13.6 mg
Phosphorous	8.26 mg
Potassium	95.2 mg
Sodium	73.5 mg
Vitamin C	0.7 mg
Vitamin B1 (thiamine)	0.132
Vitamin B2 (riboflavin)	0.24 mg
Copper	189 mcg

* Although not typically measured according to the RDA, spirulina also contains high amounts of chlorophyll, omega 6 and omega 3 fatty acids, plus all 9 essential amino acids.

Health Benefits

There is such an abundance of anecdotal reports and scientific studies and analysis regarding the possible health benefits of spirulina, that it could fill an entire book. Although we only have room here to highlight a handful of them, we encourage you to do your own research as well-you may be amazed.

Reduces Cancerous Tumors

Spirulina has the inherent potential to reduce the size of cancerous tumors. This scientific study proved that spirulina can be effective in shrinking the tumors of people living with oral cancer. In the study, the participants took one gram of spirulina every day for a year. The results?  The size of the tumors were significantly reduced in 45% of the research participants.

Anecdotally, spirulina has also earned rave reviews for its effects in reducing some of the accompanying symptoms of cancer.

Allergies

For people who are allergic to pollen, ragweed, animals and more, research has shown that regular use of spirulina may help relieve mild symptoms such as runny nose and irritation. This may be due to their anti-inflammatory properties, which block the release of histamines in the body when a potential allergen is encountered.

*Those w allergies to shellfish shouldn’t take spirulina

Dental Health

 Spirulina is antimicrobial and antibacterial (meaning it can kill off — or at least stop the growth of — bacteria and other invaders). One study put its germ-killing power to the test with spirulina-laced mouthwash. Results showed people who swished with spirulina showed “significant reduction in dental plaque and gum disease.”

Cholesterol Levels 

The fiber and DHA and EPA fatty acids in spirulina and its antioxidant capacity may help reduce blood fats. At least that was the conclusion in a scientific analysis on a controlled group of patients, where spirulina was shown to reduce total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides, while increasing the "good" HDL cholesterol, when consumed over time.

Skin Health

The plethora of bioactive compounds in spirulina may promote the growth of fibroblasts, keratinocytes, and collagen that are essential to repair skin, while preventing breakouts and reducing signs of aging. It is also high in chlorophyll, which can help you reduce dark spots and discolorations, as well as built in UV protection and is often added to natural sunscreen products. With all these potential benefits, it is easy to see why spirulina is considered the mecca of skincare.

Digestion

The living organisms present in spirulina populate the stomach and colon lining, which can promote smooth and regular digestion and set in motion a continuous system of producing good bacteria in the gut to support your immune system and overall health.

We must also note that using too much, too fast, can potentially cause the opposite effect: constipation. That is due to spirulina’s high iron content. To put things in perspective, you would need to eat 21 ounces of spinach to get the same amount of iron found in just 1 tablespoon of spirulina.

Balance is key.

Detox with Spirulina

Spirulina Smoothie Bowl

~ 1 medium ripe banana (peeled and frozen)

~1 cup frozen kale or spinach - organic if possible

~¼ cup fresh or frozen blueberries

~½ cup sliced cucumber

~3/4 cup coconut milk or other non-dairy milk

~1 teaspoon spirulina powder

~2 tablespoons honey or agave syrup

~1 tablespoon hemp seeds

~½ cup ice

~½ tablespoon chia seeds

~¼ cup granola of your choice

~½ cup sliced fruit of your choice

Directions

Add the first 9 ingredients to a blender.

Blend until at desired consistency, scraping down sides as needed.

If too thick, add a bit more milk, if too thin, add a bit more ice or frozen banana.

Pour into bowl and top with granola, chia seeds, and sliced fruit and any other toppings you desire.

Enjoy!

Spicy Spirulina Shot

*Not for the faint hearted 

~ 1 tablespoon organic spirulina powder

~ The juice of 1 lemon

~ 1/3 cup water

~ 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper

~ 1 or 2 ice cubes

Directions

Put all of the ingredients in a cup.

Use a fork or a small whisk to blend until smooth.

Drink all at once.

Give yourself a high five, you deserve it.

Spirulina Face Mask

*This can get messy-but it's so worth it

~ 1 teaspoon spirulina powder

~ 1 teaspoon honey

~ ½ teaspoon or about 5 drops of argan or coconut oil

~ 2 drops of eucalyptus essential oil

~ 2 drops scented essential oil of your choice

Directions

Mix the ingredients well in a disposable cup or bowl. 

Apply the mask to your face, preferably with a mask applicator.

Leave on for 15 to 20 minutes

Rinse with lukewarm or warm water.

Be sure to rinse your sink or tub out thoroughly after use, the pigments in spirulina can potentially stain your fixtures.

This mixture is for one time use only, and generally doesn’t keep for more than a day.

Blue Spirulina Infused Sea Moss 

If you would like to sample the effects of both spirulina AND sea moss for yourself, but aren't in the mood to DIY it, we got you covered. Click here to order our fresh sea moss gel infused with the power of blue spirulina. Use it in smoothies, soups, teas, or eat it straight from the jar. You're welcome!

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Well, that wraps up our series 6 Superfoods to Detox Your Body. Of course, there are so many more than 6 super-foods, but we are proud to have shared some of our favorites with you. We appreciate you and certainly hope that you have enjoyed reading about them; maybe even learned a thing or two.

Parting is such sweet sorrow, isn't it? Don't worry though, we'll be back. After all, our goal is to continue to bring you relevant, up to date information about food and nutrition along with suggestions that may help improve your health and just feel good in general. Because life is too short to live it any other way.

We honor you.

Until next time friends,

Peace and blessings

~K.M.

***All content shown on this website is intended for educational and entertainment purposes only. It is never intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any condition. If you need medical care, please consult with a licensed medical professional.