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5 Must Have Benefits of Spirulina – Superfoods With An Attitude

Being a kid that didn’t like vegetables, I never thought that I’d be eating anything like this…

Yes, it’s one of the most potent foods on the planet. And yes, it has health benefits that are truly mind blowing.

But seriously speaking, eating an algae is just kind of weird, right?

Well, maybe it is weird until you realize that spirulina has the highest protein content, gram for gram, of any food on the planet.

Some of the longest lived civilizations in human history, like the Aztecs of Mexico City utilized spirulina as the #1 source of protein to fortify their health and nutrition.

This food is so amazing, and so nutrient dense, that the U.N. has recommended that spirulina be used as a food source to fight malnutrition. White rice… it’s over baby!

Just check out this list of the must have benefits of spirulina.

1. Super-rich in vitamins. Spirulina is rich in vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, E, and K. Vitamin A is really important here because it has been specifically correlated with longer lifespan. The more safe, usable vitamin A you have in your system, the longer you’re likely to live. Now if that isn’t a must have quality, I don’t know what is.

Spirulina has the enzymes, phytonutrients, and cofactors so that your body can actually absorb it and use it intelligently. Man-made, artificial “multi-vitamins” are not a complete food in any sense, and a great deal of it will not be useable by your body. And to make matters worse, it will likely set off an immune response as well.

This is why it’s important to get your vitamins from real, whole foods that have a strong history of safe use. Don’t volunteer yourself as an experiment for multivitamin companies.

2. Protein powerhouse. As mentioned, spirulina has the highest concentration of protein of any known food. It’s 65 – 71 percent protein by weight. The key is that it’s a complete protein (meaning that it contains all 8 essential amino acids necessary for human health) and it has 18 amino acids overall.

Protein is an extreme necessity in our world today. Amino acids have roles in cell metabolism, detoxification, tissue regeneration, repair, and more. Amino acids influence the function of your nervous system, cardiovascular system, hormones, and muscle. Truly, nothing in your body runs without an ample supply of real amino acids. WIth spirulina you get true, undamaged aminos (not like the degraded, heat treated stuff you get in typical supplements). If you know the importance of protein, then spirulina is a must have food for you.

3. Superhuman regeneration. Spirulina contains an extraordinary antioxidant/polypeptide called phycocyanin. Please don’t let the fancy word get you off track. Basically, phycocyanin is a blue pigment of color found in spirulina that has some really remarkable characteristics.

To keep this simple and to the point, scientist have discovered that phycocyanin has the ability to trigger the production of stem cells. What does this mean? Well, I’m glad you asked… Stems cells literally have the ability to become any cells that your body needs. Need more blood cells? Fine, here you go. More immune cells? More muscle cells? More cells to repair damaged ligaments? If your body is producing more of these stem cells, then you have the continuous possibility of being rebuilt. How cool is that?

4. Body fat & weight loss. Nutrient deficiency is typically the #1 cause of overeating. Your body requires nutrients like zinc, magnesium, and essential fatty acids like GLA (all found in spirulina by the). Your body secretes the hunger hormone gherlin to get you to bring in some nutrient dense food to get those things, but instead… in comes a bagel.

Temporary solution: you’re not hungry anymore. Problem: you’re hungry again after about an hour because your body didn’t get what it needed. Because of this, the gherlin gremlin stays in charge of your appetite.

By eating amazingly nutrient dense foods like spirulina, you’re giving your body the raw materials it needs to keep you healthy and trigger the secretion of the satiety hormone leptin to helps keep your appetite in check. You feel good, stop craving low quality food, and your body begins to burn more body fat naturally. I’d say it’s an epic win-win situation for you there.

5. Anti-viral, anti-cancer, and anti-aging effects. In peer reviewed scientific studies, compounds in spirulina were found to inhibit HIV-1 replication in human derived T-cells and in human blood mononuclear cells. This is truly remarkable to say the least.

Numerous studies have also found that spirulina causes anti-cancer (NK) cells to become more effective at destroying cancer cells. In one US study, spirulina extracts were found to reduce oral cancer cells. A beta-carotene solution applied to cancerous tumors reduced the number and size of tumors or caused them to disappear. Say what?!!

And to top it all off, spirulina is incredibly rich in antioxidants that protect against DNA damage and the premature aging of your cells.

With these 5 benefits, now you understand why spirulina is such an important food for you everyday.

Because the quality really matters here, you want to make sure that you’re getting your spirulina from an ethical source that doesn’t over-process or damage the delicate compounds in any way. You can waste your time and money on substandard spirulina, but you’ll be missing out on the real benefits it can give you.

My go-to for spirulina is Perfect Spirulina from Perfect Supplements. The quality is incredible, and they’re one of the rare companies that will actually show you a certificate of analysis. They are a very ethical and transparent company, and I know you’ll be extremely happy with the spirulina you get from them.

Now, as for how to use spirulina, it’s much more fun and delicious than you may think. Some people like to toss it in their smoothies… but me, I actually like my smoothies to taste good, so I don’t typically put it in there 🙂

I like to add it to savory dishes, and some other little tricks I have up my sleeve. To encourage you to support your health and become the greatest version of yourself, after you get yourself some Perfect Spirulina from the banner below, just forward me your receipt and I’ll give you a free copy of my mini Spirulina Superfood Recipe Book. How’s that sound?

Just forward your receipt to advancedintegrative@gmail.com and tell me what email address to send it to. This is the one superfood that I’ve had consistently, nearly everyday for the past 5 years. I truly love the benefits that it gives me, and I know you will too.

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  1. Pingback: Top Ten Superfood powders - Holistic Health and Life Coaching
  2. Spirulina is one of the best supplement product which is available on earth. People should know this. They should know why it is an important supplement, why we should use it? What are the uses of it? Your post giving them these answers about spirulina.
    Thanks!

  3. Hello
    When l use sperinila next day l get runny nose and sneezing like l have got a cold or hay fever Is it because of adaptives?

  4. U can contact netrins spirulina for home delivery
    For contact : call :9059025903

  5. Hello Shawn,
    I have been taking ” living spirulina” for almost a year now and prior to that I have tried E3 Live (which is not alive!), powered spirulina, spirulina crunchies and spirulina tablets. Neither are alive… Check out the raw living spirulina located in Vero Beach Florida. I have Lyme disease and no other spirulina has helped with my inflammation like spirulina in it’s raw form. It is harvested one day and I get it fresh the next. I have multiple customers that also use to consume the others but have tried it in it’s raw form and are amazed how they feel…. Check it out!!!! If you put it under a microscope you will see it move!

  6. sp2 Superfood , arrives in dry ice , fresh from the farm , doesn’t get any better than that !

  7. very impressed by seeing your ambition FOOD IS PREMIER MEDICINE. Iam also same thought of impression because iam agricultural consultant.I will be touch with you.

  8. Pingback: Super smoothies – Liv the dreamer
  9. So banking on what you said to Paula… Is using a capsule a bad idea or just not as effective? I can’t bare the taste of the powder.

    1. Hi Darrell, I recently came across a new Spirulina product that is truly raw. It is shipped in glass jars in a cooler with ice packs. It is a paste consistency with no smell or taste. I have ordered 2 times so far and I have to say I am addicted to this stuff. You may want to try it. Their website is http://www.rawlivingspirulina.com

  10. Pingback: A Serious Case of the ARGHs | happyfat
  11. Pingback: 980: Guest Host Shawn Stevenson Helps You Step Up Your Low-Carb Lifestyle | The Livin La Vida Low-Carb Show
  12. Hi Shawn,
    How much do I need to take daily to get the health benefits from it?.
    Thanks Kathy

  13. What are your thoughts on using the capsule forms vs the powder

    1. Hi Paula,

      I feel that a big part of the assimilation process starts in the mouth. Your body secretes saliva and even certain enzymes to aid in the digestion of foods. Your saliva contains your own DNA and RNA that “encodes” the food with your information prior to it passing through your system.

      Whenever possible, definitely consume the whole food or powder concentrates rather than capsules. Your body will likely get more use of it if it can interact with the food before a capsule opens up later in your stomach.

  14. Hi, Carol I just juiced three gala apples, added a slice of lemon and frozen banana, added some spirulina and had a wonderful morning treat. I like to add it to avocado dip and salads. I also added it to my cooked greens.

    1. Hi June, thanks for your reply it’s great it can be added to other things, I’ve used spirulina in my smoothies so far but I only purchased it week ago, so still experimenting. I did read on another site, that your dogs can benefit too, so they are having a tiny amount in there food every other day to see how they go.
      Carol x

  15. Hi Shawn, I have purchased Spirulina here in the UK, but apart from smoothies I’m not sure how best to use it, or can it be put into any cooked or raw food meal.
    Thanks Carol x

  16. Hey Shawn! Very interesting article. I have been listening to you talk about Spirulina on your show and have been wanting to try it. I do have a green supplement from Whole foods that has Spirulina and a bunch of other good for you stuff! It is made by Sunfood Super foods. “Nutrient – Rich Sun is Shining Green superfood supplement. Have you hear of it or have thoughts? Also, how do you store your green supplements. Mine is in my pantry which gets quite warm, I am thinking it might need to go in the fridge? Thanks!!

  17. Shawn, I usually order The Perfect Supplement’s Spirulina and Chlorella combined in one package. Will I get the same awesome benefits as I would if I had the spirulina by itself? Also could I add this to cooked foods such as collard greens, kale and cabbage after they’ve been cooked? I usually add it to avocado dips and spinach dips. Beautiful vibrant green in colour.

    1. Dear June,

      Perfect Aquatic Greens gives you the best of both worlds! All of the benefits of spirulina PLUS the amazing benefits of chlorella. If you are worried that you are not getting enough spirulina, simply double your dosage!

      Kind Regards,

      Jamie of Perfect Supplements, LLC

  18. I ordered mine on Sept 4th and it was delivered on the 6th. It’s the darkest green I’ve ever seen in my life, or is it just me. lol! The look of it screams vitality. My first thought was to throw in my morning smoothie, not too bad BUT I’m game for other alternatives.

    1. I know, right! Screams vitality is perfectly said. And you got it with the other options… I’ll be sending it directly to your inbox shortly 🙂

  19. Hey Shawn,
    I have a new jar of Blue Green Algae. It has been on the shelf for about a year. Is this product still good to use? Could I use this product in place of spirulina , in addition to or not at all? I use it to sprinkle on my salads ( when I used it)

    1. Good question. It is pretty shelf stable, but once you open it it will definitely degrade in nutrition rather fast.

      I wouldn’t say that it could replace spirulina. It does have more phychocyanin and PEA than spirulina, but definitely not as much protein, vitamins, and minerals. Both are great, but I feel spirulina is the better choice if you stack them next to each other.

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