Spirulina platensis is a complete plant-based protein with potential health benefits, including protection against oxidative damage, inflammation, and improvement of digestive health. It contains phycocyanin, a pigment with antioxidant properties, and is a rich source of vitamins, minerals, and gamma-linoleic acid. However, more research is needed to verify its medical benefits. Vegans should not rely on spirulina platensis as a source of vitamin B12.
Spirulina platensis is a type of cyanobacteria, or blue-green algae, used as a food and nutritional supplement. Historically, Spirulina platensis has been dried, made into cakes, and used as food by the ancient Aztecs of Mexico and the Kanembus of the Lake Chad region of central Africa. Spirulina became popular as a nutritional supplement in the 20th century when its extensive nutritional benefits were researched and discovered. It is currently cultivated in China, India, Thailand, and the United States.
Studies conducted in rats suggest that spirulina platensis contains ingredients that protect against oxidative damage from free radicals. This indicates that spirulina may protect against Huntington’s disease, Parkinson’s, and cancer. Other animal studies have shown protective benefits against damage from stroke, arthritis, allergies, inflammation, and hypertension. Human studies suggest that spirulina may also improve digestive health by helping the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gastrointestinal system. One study showed that patients suffering from cancerous oral lesions experienced a regression of symptoms after receiving a daily dose of a type of spirulina.
One of the active ingredients isolated in Spirulina platensis is the pigment phycocyanin, which gives Spirulina platensis its characteristic blue-green color and provides twenty percent of the protein in Spirulina. Phycocyanin is used in the pharmaceutical and food industries and is considered to have antioxidant properties. After discovering its inflammatory properties, a substance containing phycocyanin was patented as an anti-inflammatory used in animals. Although the initial studies have been promising, it should be mentioned that more research needs to be done before spirulina is recommended for specific medical conditions.
Most plant-based proteins are incomplete and must be combined with other proteins before they can be used by the body. Spirulina platensis is a complete plant-based protein, which has given some organizations hope that it can be used to fight hunger and malnutrition in third world countries. It also has five complete amino acids that the body cannot make on its own.
The vegan community has embraced the consumption of spirulina platensis as it contains vitamin B12, which is usually only found in foods of animal origin. Unfortunately, the form of vitamin B12 in spirulina is characterized by low bioavailability, which means that the form of vitamin B12 in spirulina cannot be used by the body. Vegans should not rely on spirulina platensis as a plant-based source of vitamin B12 and should be supplemented in another form. In addition to supplying the body with protein, Spirulina platensis is a rich source of many other vitamins, minerals, and provides gamma-linoleic acid (GLA), a fatty acid that the body needs but may have difficulty manufacturing. Although spirulina platensis requires more research in humans to verify its medical benefits, it remains a safe nutritional supplement for humans and animals.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
