Spirulina Geitler (Blue-Green Algae)

Other Common Names: Blue-Green Algae, Spirulina geitler, S. maxima, S. platenis

Spirulina is one of about 1,500 known species of blue-green algae that grow in brackish ponds and lives in mild and hot climates throughout the world. Pure spirulina is a source of protein and contains a number of vitamins and minerals including beta carotene, vitamin B12, and gamma linolenic acid. The WHO recognizes the nutritional importance of spirulina in parts of the world where there is protein malnutrition. However, in the amounts normally consumed when taken according to label directions, the nutrients derived are insignificant. As a food, spirulina can be legally marketed as long as it is labeled accurately and contains no contaminated or adulterated substances.

Long before spirulina became a favorite of the health food industry, it was eaten by North Africans and Mexicans centuries ago, used for protein food in Lake Chad and by Aztecs before conquistadores. The plant was discovered by the Western world in 1962. Since then, it has been cultivated in several countries, including Thailand, Japan, Taiwan, and the United States. Part of man's fascination with spirulina stems from the fact that the plant is a survivor. It grows almost by itself on lakes and ponds and doesn?t need any special care from the farmer.

Blue-green algae products contain all the amino acids and are marketed as body rejuvenators, which improve energy levels, decrease appetite, and increase mental energy. These products are commonly used for weight loss and fasting and are sold in powdered or tablet form.

Excellent protein supplement (72% of dry weight). 10 tons per acre (wheat - 0.16 ton per acre; cattle 0.16 ton per acre. A bit low in S- amino acids but superior to all plant protein sources and equal to meat or dairy products.

Sterols in Spirulina lower cholesterol. Spirulina extracts inhibit growth of oral cancer cells.

A daily dose of the blue-green algae 'Spirulina' may help prevent cancer of the mouth, a study shows. The finding could benefit people in developing countries where the algae is cheaper than vitamins. After one year of consuming only one gram of the algae daily, 45 percent of the volunteers had complete regression of the thick, white, pre-cancerous patches in the mouth known as leukoplakia. Adding in those volunteers who showed significant improvement raised the figure to 57 percent who benefitted from 'Spirulina'. That compared to seven percent of those who got a placebo.

The study--the first human evaluation of the cancer-preventive potential of 'Spirulina'--was coordinated by an ARS researcher and conducted in southwestern India where the incidence of leukoplakia is high. The researchers tested 'Spirulina' because it is an inexpensive source of beta carotene and related carotenoids in many developing countries. In other research, the algae has inhibited oral cancer in animal studies, while beta carotene or vitamin A supplements have reversed pre-cancerous conditions in people's mouths. Cancer of the mouth and of the cervix--which has the same kind of mucus membrane--is on the rise worldwide.

Known Hazards: Claims have been made that phenylalanine, an amino acid found in spirulina (and in most other protein sources), "acts on the brain's appetite center to switch off your hunger pangs." However, an FDA advisory panel reviewing data on phenylalanine found no reliable scientific data to demonstrate that it is safe and effective as an appetite suppressant.

Some nutritionists fear that consuming large amounts of spirulina might have an effect similar to that of the liquid protein diets which resulted in heart problems and even death for some dieters. Helene Swenerton, a nutritionist at the University of California's Davis Cooperative Extension, points out that because algae are single-celled organisms, they are rich in nucleic acids providing not only a lot of protein but also large amounts of uric acid, which could result in kidney stones or gout.

- George Nava True II. Spirulina: Health Food or Fraud?
- Judith Willis. ABOUT BODY WRAPS, PILLS AND OTHER MAGIC WANDS FOR LOSING WEIGHT. U.S. Food and Drug Administration FDA CONSUMER, November 1982
- Padmanabhan P. Nair. CHEAP ALGAE COULD CURB MOUTH CANCER. Beltsville Human Nutrition Research Center, Beltsville, MD. - U. S. Food and Drug Administration Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition

Discuss It!