Recently, a lot of food additives have appeared on the pharmaceutical market, which, according to their creators, should save people even from severe forms of diseases. Among all these dietary supplements there is also Spirulina. Reviews about it on the Internet are ambiguous, but if you read them more carefully, then doubt creeps in, or maybe this product can really restore health, beauty to hair and skin, and also get rid of extra pounds.
What is spirulina?
Spirulina is a unique creation of nature, which is a spiral-shaped algae of dark green color, enriched with the most useful components for the human body. It is collected mainly in subtropical or tropical water resources. Only the favorable climate of these places contributes to the accelerated growth and reproduction of algae. But in Soviet times, when scientists proved its benefits, it was even decided to grow it artificially in special alkaline incubators.
On the basis of dark green algae, various medicines, cosmetics, and dietary supplements are prepared. It is thanks to its widespread use that people are looking for information that would accurately tell about all the beneficial properties of spirulina. Reviews on the Internet confirm its benefits to the body, but it would be nice to know how it works.
The beneficial properties of spirulina
Spirulina contains in its composition more than 200 useful components. Its 10 g of beta-carotene is the same as 10 kg of dry carrots. In addition, it contains a large content of B vitamins, which are indispensable for the proper functioning of almost every organ. There is more vitamin PP in it than in meat products, which is why it is an essential component in the diet of vegetarians.
Also in spirulina (expert reviews confirm this) there are folacin, vitamin E and other useful components that positively affect the functioning of each system of the human body. In its composition there are other substances that bring invaluable health benefits:
- Arginine cleanses the blood of all types of toxins, removes slag, increases libido.
- Gamma-linolenic acid is considered a good tool for the prevention of arthritis, this component is rarely found in products, mainly in breast milk.
- Glutamic acid is the most important food for brain cells, helps to improve mental abilities and reduces cravings for alcohol.
- Inositol helps the liver recover, removes carcinogens and excess female hormones.
- Thiamine favorably affects the nervous system, reduces fatigue, and effectively fights insomnia and heart failure, shortness of breath.
- Tyrosine has anti-aging properties. There is a medical basis for researchers (their reviews of spirulina confirm this) that algae prevents the appearance of gray hair.
- Phycocyanin is considered the strongest pigment, which, according to many scientists, has the ability to slow down the growth of cancer cells.
- Folic acid is an essential element for the formation of hemoglobin.
- Phenylalanine activates the processes in the central nervous system, reduces impulses of pain, burning and itching.
- Glycine increases stamina.
- Leucine takes an active part in the synthesis of hormones, supplies muscles with energy.
- Cystine is an important component of the proper functioning of the pancreas.
Thanks to this useful composition, spirulina is recommended for use in the treatment of many pathologies.
The chemical composition of algae looks like this:
- vitamins A, C, E, B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B9, B12, D;
- protein with a balanced composition of 8 amino acids essential for the proper functioning of the body;
- unsaturated acids linoleic, arachidonic and linolenic;
- minerals such as potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, calcium, iron, zinc, manganese, copper, boron, molybdenum, chromium and others;
- also it contains chlorophyll, phycocyanin, carotenoids;
- the adaptogenic properties of algae are several times superior to ginseng, eleutherococcus, leuzea, pink radiol.
It is not surprising that she is credited with a powerful therapeutic effect on humans.
Indications for use of spirulina
Algae intake has a positive effect on people suffering from type 2 diabetes. Scientists have proven that it helps lower blood sugar levels, the first results can be noticed after 6 weeks.
She effectively fights heart ailments, arthritis and oncological pathologies.
Just enter it into your diet and maintain a healthy pH balance. In addition, it is recommended:
- as a prophylaxis of viral infections, these include HIV, mumps, flu, herpes and measles;
- to reduce the manifestations of allergic reactions;
- protect the liver from toxins;
- normalization of blood pressure;
- getting rid of cholesterol in the walls of blood vessels;
- reduce symptoms of ulcerative colitis;
- increase immunity.
Also, reviews of spirulina emphasize that it is simply necessary for women to take it while carrying the baby, as it positively affects the development of the child's body and helps to get rid of extra pounds.
Spirulina for weight loss: myth or reality?
Spirulina is amazing in composition, due to its incredible effect on weight loss. Due to the fact that it contains a lot of amino acids, vitamins, minerals and essential enzymes, reviews of those who lose weight about spirulina confirm the ability of algae to help get rid of extra pounds in a short time.
It has already been said earlier that with its help it is possible to cleanse the liver of toxins, remove toxins, lower blood cholesterol, normalize metabolic processes, which is why it effectively copes with obesity. But at the same time, a person receives all the necessary useful components that are necessary for the normal functioning of the body.
Capsules for weight loss "Spirulina" (reviews indicate this) guarantee rapid weight loss in a month, while no organ is affected. With their help, you can easily adjust the figure.
Spirulina during pregnancy
During pregnancy, a woman just needs to eat for two, and most importantly, in her diet there should be as many useful substances as possible, which will help the fetus develop properly. It is the intake of Spirulina that will help make up for the deficiency of trace elements and vitamins important for the female body and fetus.
Properly selected nutrition will protect the pregnant woman's body from the negative effects of the environment and protect organs from toxins. So, due to the high iron content, it helps prevent anemia, which is very often observed in women during the period of gestation. Also, spirulina (doctors' reviews confirm this) is rich in calcium and protein, therefore, contributes to the proper development of the skeleton in the fetus and the constant formation of the placenta.
During pregnancy, it is simply necessary to take spirulina, because it is completely safe and very useful.
Spirulina in childhood
For a children's growing body, you need a complex of vitamins and minerals. You can get it from food, a complex of vitamins sold in a pharmacy, or eating spirulina. The properties and reviews of experts suggest that, thanks to the protein and other components contained in it, the skeleton is correctly formed, immunity is strengthened, and it acquires the ability to cope with any viruses and microorganisms.
Iron in its composition prevents the development of anemia, and fatty acids have a beneficial effect on brain function. Fatty acids improve the condition of the skin, hair and nails, normalize the intestinal microflora. Daily intake is the best prevention of the harmful effects of the environment.
How to take spirulina?
Today, spirulina can be purchased in any form: tablets, capsules, powder and other forms. The powder is considered to be the most valuable, since it contains the most active components.
It can be added to any products: 1 tablespoon in juice, salad, yogurt. The main thing that cannot be done is to subject it to heat treatment, otherwise all useful properties will be lost.
There is no minimum dosage of powder for today, but clinical trials have shown that it can be used by some people from 1 to 10 g.
For preventive purposes, adults are recommended to take 3 g per day, and children - no more than 1 g. In the treatment of blood vessels and skin, the dose can be increased to 5 g per day.
Doctors' reviews of Spirulina in powder say that it gives good results only with a course of at least 20 days. It is taken on an empty stomach, and during the day one of the meals can be replaced with several grams of spirulina.
Tablets should be taken in 2-3 pieces half an hour before a meal.
Spirulina in cosmetology
Effective masks for face and body can be prepared from the described algae. They help to easily cope with swelling under the eyes, acne, wrinkles. Spirulina mask (reviews of women confirm this) is easily prepared at home. Here are some recipes:
- To moisturize the skin, you need to crush two tablets or take an already prepared powder, pour cup of warm water, add the flesh of fresh cucumber, mix well to make a pulp. Apply the mask to wet skin and leave for an hour, then rinse with warm water.
- To cleanse the skin of acne and black spots, you need to take two tablets, crush it, add a spoonful of gelatin and one and a half tablespoons of warm water, mix everything thoroughly until a viscous mass is obtained. Apply to problem areas and leave for two hours, then rinse.
Spirulina is also useful (reviews of women who have tried it, this is confirmed) to restore the beauty of hair. So, to prevent them from falling out, you need to prepare such a mask:
- To 1 tsp. spirulina powder add two egg yolks, a spoonful of lemon juice and mix everything. Apply the mask to wet hair, carefully distributing it to the roots and the entire length, put on a bathing cap and tie a towel. Hold for half an hour, and then rinse with shampoo.
- Spirulina mask with sesame oil and healing clay will help accelerate hair growth. This product is carefully rubbed into the roots and left for 20 minutes, after which it is washed off with water using shampoo.
You can tighten the skin on the body by wrapping with a mask in which the substance is contained. It’s easy to prepare the mixture: ½ cup fat yogurt, 2 tablespoons of honey and the same amount of algae powder. Mix everything, apply evenly on the body and wrap with cling film, leaving it for half an hour. After a while, rinse in the shower.
Spirulina is often used in cooking. It is added to the dough, omelettes and salads. Algae is considered a wonderful spice that will make any dish especially tasty and piquant.
Contraindications to taking spirulina
Reviews accepting the described algae indicate its benefits to the body, but, despite this, there are categories of people to whom it is categorically contraindicated. So, patients with autoimmune diseases should avoid taking "Spirulina", because it increases the body's protective function, therefore, it can worsen the symptoms of lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis and other ailments associated with hyperactivity of the immune system. For the same reason, it weakens the effect of immunosuppressants.
Spirulina should not be taken together with anticoagulants, as well as with products or medicinal herbs that reduce blood coagulation.
In addition, it is prescribed with caution if the patient has a history of such pathologies:
- heart failure;
- internal bleeding;
- stroke, heart attack;
- disorders of the nervous system;
- thyroid dysfunction;
- thrombosis;
- peptic ulcer;
- hypersensitivity and individual intolerance
Children under 5 years of age and older people are not recommended to take algae.
Reviews about "Spirulina"
The described plant organism has long been used in the treatment of many pathologies and has proven to be effective. You can read reviews about spirulina for weight loss, among which there are negative ones. But they are connected, as a rule, with the fact that the buyer did not bother to check the seller, and acquired algae, which failed to be purified, and therefore contains a lot of toxins absorbed during growth. For this reason, before you buy capsules, powder or frozen seaweed, you need to make sure the seller is reliable and get confirmation that the product is high-quality and completely safe.
Reviews of Spirulina in tablets left by doctors say that patients who took it in accordance with the recommendations have good results in the treatment of arthritis, heart disease and other organs. It helps lower blood sugar, which is very important in treating diabetes.
Experts say that by eating 3-4 g of algae per day, a person can:
- satisfy the daily need for vitamins and minerals;
- cleanse of toxins that have accumulated over a lifetime;
- remove cholesterol;
- stabilize body weight;
- improve eyesight;
- accelerate the healing of wounds, postoperative sutures;
- improve memory;
- reduce fatigue, normalize sleep and increase efficiency.
Reviews about Spirulina pastilles and its other forms are mostly positive, and all this is true. Where the negative effect of the drug is described, most likely the patient did not follow the recommendations, had contraindications, or acquired a poor-quality product. One has only to look at its composition, and immediately it becomes clear that algae is incredibly useful for humans. And by checking its effect on yourself, you can accurately answer the question of whether it is really as useful as the advertisement tells about it.