DXN Spirulina

Spirulina: One of Nature's Near-Perfect Foods

Spirulina is similar to sea vegetables such as dulse, kelp, nori, Kombu, arame, and wakame. Along with its cousin chlorella (another one of my favorites), spirulina is a member of the "blue-green" family—but this family is actually not truly algae.

Although you will often hear the term "blue-green algae," spirulina and its kin are actually cyanobacteria. Cyanobacteria are classified as bacteria because their genetic material is not organized in a membrane-bound nucleus. Unlike other bacteria, they have chlorophyll and use the sun as an energy source, in the way plants and algae do.

Spirulina is primarily produced by two species: Arthrospira platensis andArthrospira maxima.

One of the special traits of spirulina is its rich protein content—it's 50 to 70 percent protein by weight and contains all of the essential amino acids. Records of the Spanish conquistadors suggest that the Aztecs consumed spirulina as a food source, and the Kanembu people of Central Africa harvested it from what is now called Lake Chad.

Wild spirulina grows in the alkaline lakes of Mexico and on the African continent, although it is commercially grown and harvested all over the world. It reproduces quickly, and because the individual organisms tend to clump together, it's easy to harvest. Commercial production of spirulina is estimated to reach 220,000 tons by the year 2020. Japan is the largest producer of spirulina, as well as the largest consumer.

The superfood spirulina is beneficial for everyone- children, athletes, busy adults, pregnant women, the elderly, the sick,  the healthy and those who want to look young, have a radiant skin and look slimmer

Spirulina is a blue-green alga found naturally in alkaline, warm-water lakes.  It has the essential fatty acids gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), linoleic and arachidonic acids. It is naturally low in cholesterol, calories, fat and sodium. It is an excellent source of iron, calcium, folic acid  and magnesium. Spirulina is also apotent antioxidant and body detoxifier 

Since Spirulina is a concentrated whole food, it is easy to incorporate Spirulina in food preparations, especially for children who don't like vegetables and women who are prone to iron deficiency. 

Good for Vegans/vegetarians

Spirulina  is  virtually the only vegetarian source of vitamin B12, which is needed forhealthy red blood cells; and contains significant amounts of iron, protein (60 to 70 percent), essential amino acids, the nucleic acids RNA and DNA, and chlorophyll. 

Vitamin B12 is essential for normal growth and neurological function. Adeficiency in B12 can cause fatigue and moodiness.

Maintains Peak  Brain/cognitive function

"Boosting intake of  folic acid and vitamin B-12 through nutritional supplements is a very effective and important way to maintain peak brain function." Holistic nutritionist Mike Adams, author of "The Seven Laws of Nutrition 

It has long been known that folate and vitamin B-12 are important to the healthy functioning of the nervous system. Now a new study published in the "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition" suggests that the interaction between these nutrients may play a significant role in protecting cognitive function as a person ages.

The study, conducted by the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University, found that among seniors with adequate vitamin B-12 levels, high levels of blood folate were associated with better cognitive function.