What is Spirulina and Why Eat It + Smoothie Recipe

A lot of you have been asking me about spirulina, so here is a little more information for you about this detox superfood!

Spirulina, and its cousin chlorella, are micro-algae organisms which have existed on earth since the dawn of time. Spirulina is a blue green micro-algae, similar to other sea vegetables such as dulse, that grows naturally in the alkaline lakes of Mexico and on the African continent, and it is commercially grown and harvested all over the world.

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.

Here is why spirulina is so good for you at a glance:

• Excellent source of vitamins and minerals including iron, B12 and iodine
• Needed for liver rejuvenation and detoxing
• Helps to remove heavy metals from the body
• Protective against radiation
• Helps builds new blood
• Inhibits the growth of fungi, bacteria, and yeast
• Boosts immune function
• Contains more chlorophyll than any other foods
• Anti-inflammatory properties
• Promotes growth and repair of tissues, including nerve tissues
• High in GLA fatty acids, good for hormonal balance and cardiovascular function
• Contains predigested protein, which your body is able to easily utilize
• Helps relieve symptoms of hypoglycemia and improves blood sugar balance
• Helpful for allergies and allergic reactions
• Helps fight fatigue

Here is why I love it as a superfood addition:

1. Great source of plant protein

Spirulina is rich in protein – an average of 60 percent by weight, compared to red meat which is only about 27 percent protein. It contains all the essential amino acids that must be obtained from the diet to maintain health. The proteins in spirulina are of a highly digestible type (83 to 90 percent digestible), due to the fact that it does not have cellulose walls, like yeast and chlorella do.

2. Great source of vitamins and minerals

Spirulina that contains the highest concentration of nutrients of almost any food on the planet. The mineral content of our soil is becoming more and more depleted in minerals, which means our food sources are also becoming depleted in important minerals. Spirulina contains calcium, iron, magnesium, selenium, magnesium, potassium and zinc. It’s high iodine content helps support thyroid health. Also a great source of vitamin B 12, essential for people who are on a plant based diet. The excellent source of gamma-linoleic acid (GLA) is important for heart and joint health, as well as hormonal balance. Eye health can benefit from carotenoid pigments called xanthophylls, which protect against macular degeneration and prevention of cataracts.

3. Helps the body detoxify

Liver is the body’s main detox organ. Spirulina boosts the liver function by helping to prevent fatty acid build-up which is essential for a healthy functioning liver. It also protects your liver from damage from heavy metals, like lead and mercury, and reduces inflammation.
Spirulina helps the liver detoxify by acting as a chelating agent for removing toxins and radioactive substances from the body. It contains proteins that bind to radioactive isotopes to help protect cells against radioactive damage. Because it is so effective at binding toxins and purging them from the body, spirulina can actually reduce some of the common side effects associated with detoxification like headaches and nausea.

Unfortunately spirulina doesn’t appeal to the taste buds so we need to mask the taste in a cleaver smoothie. Here is one of my favourite mineral rich and detoxifying recipes:

Mighty Green Detox Smoothie