A Superfood for Everyone, Miracle Food for Celiacs
A great source for the elusive B12 (though mineral rich earth is still the best source for B12, though next to impossible to find, making Spirulina the best source due to availability), good source of vitamins B1, B2, B3, B6, C, D, E, K, folic acid, pantothenic acid, biotin, inositol, calcium, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus (is in every cell throughout the body and works with calcium to maintain bone density – especially important for Celiacs who suffer from dental health and osteoporosis), chromium, selenium, and great source for iron (10x higher than normal foods). The phycocyanin in it (blue pigment) combines with iron and other minerals making them more bioavailable (2x more than meats and vegetables).
10g of spirulina provides 23,000 I.U. of beta carotene which the body converts to Vitamin A (also a particularly important vitamin for Celiacs because it helps heal the intestinal tract) and unlike taking Vitamin A supplements (fat soluble, too much can be toxic), when it is your body doing the converting, it automatically stops at the right amount – such a miraculous thing the body is, in its natural form. Beta carotene is a powerful antioxidant that fights free radicals and also reduces the body’s risks to several types of cancer including colon and gastrointestinal tract (which Celiacs are prone to).
A complete protein that delivers all essential amino acids in a highly absorbable form, as well as zeaxanthin/lutein which are important for vision – blindness is actually becoming a bigger and bigger issue.
Low in sodium making this superfood appropriate for salt-restricted diets (90mg per 10g) and it contains no bad cholesterol.
It strengthens the immune system while simultaneously helping the body detoxify.
As a dietician, it’s my #1 helper; as a Celiac, I am in love with the stuff!
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A little side note, if the taste is something that keeps you from drinking it, try this: blender, ice, raw cacao, raw honey (which adds 2000 enzymes to the mix) and you barely taste the green and get even more nutrients than the spirulina alone
Douglas Robb
March 22, 2011 at 8:32 am
I get my spirulina in my Athletic Greens green food
Stormy Knight
March 22, 2011 at 10:14 am
I’ve been taking spirulina as just a “green”, improving alkalinity, etc. but I had no idea it had all these other benefits. I also have a friend with celiac that will really benefit from this information too. Thanks!
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Sarah
March 22, 2011 at 4:45 pm
I take 6 spirulina tablets every morning after my breakfast. The tablets aren’t nearly as yuck tasting as the powder!
brandyjohnson010
March 23, 2011 at 12:29 am
This is such a very insightful post, all the information you’ve given are just right on. I appreciate to have read some reliable source about this amazing super food.
Linda Socher
March 23, 2011 at 11:27 am
Hi-
Great site! Lots of great information here.
Just as a side note-
Vitamin B-12 supplementation in the form of shots, pills or B-12 patch is essential for vegans who are finding it difficult to access B-12 from plant sources. Also, some individuals are unable to digest B-12 naturally, regardless of their diet.
Thanks for allowing my post.
Linda Socher
b12patch.com
Bill T
May 8, 2011 at 7:19 am
Nice blog. (zeaxanthin, never heard of that before, sure can’t pronounce it) Helpful informaton. Thanks, Bill