Spirulina: The Ultimate Superfood for Super Health

Staying healthy is a priority to all of us. Unfortunately, with all of the stressors and time crunching we are forced to go through on a daily basis, eating healthy and staying healthy doesn't always seem possible. Fast food is cheaper and easier to come by, and more often than not, grabbing a burger from the local drive-through is far more realistic than making a meal from scratch. The good news is, that spirulina is making its comeback with a bang.

Spirulina is a whole superfood derived from blue/green algae. It is cultivated worldwide with no harmful effects to the earth or environment and has been used as a nutritional supplement since prehistoric times. Spirulina is particularly popular in Japan where researchers have discovered that daily use of spirulina helps people suffering from diabetes to lower their insulin intake. While in the 1970's, this superfood became a highly marketed supplement in the United States, the fervor for it died out as the move towards more convenient, fast foods sky rocketed. Nowadays, you can find Spirulina at any health food store in powder or tablet form at prices ranging from $3 to $12 per bottle and can be used as a quick, cheap and very easy nutritional boost.

Spirulina is perhaps one of the most complete and healthful foods you can add to your diet. It contains an extremely high amount of protein, higher than beef or soy, and contains all of the essential amino acids. It also is a virtual cornucopia of vitamins and minerals containing vitamins B1, B2, B3, B6, folic acid, vitamin C, D, and E as well as calcium, potassium, chromium, copper, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, selenium, sodium, and zinc. Spirulina's iron content is also one of the highest at 60% as compared to the 22% iron content of beef. As if that weren't enough, Spirulina is also an excellent source of chlorophyll and beta carotene.

The high nutrient content in spirulina makes it an optimal source of dietary health for anyone. It has been proven to boost the immune system aiding in protection against hay fever and allergic rhinitis, it can lower high blood pressure and cholesterol levels, as well as inhibit viruses and inflammation resulting from injuries and conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis.
Spirulina is also a perfectly natural way to assist in weight management. Taking three tablets or 5mg. of powder twice a day helps maintain body fat at optimal levels as it satisfies your body's need for nutrients therefore naturally curbing your cravings.

Preparing spirulina is extremely quick and easy. Tablets can be taken with a quick glass of water or juice and carried with you to take at your convenience. In powder form, it can be added to a breakfast smoothie or swirled into soup or even yogurt. All of that nutrition in less time than it takes to grab a chocolate bar at your local convenience store! Even if you just can't shake the need to have fast food now and then, adding spirulina to your diet will help make up for the lack of nutrients in the foods you are eating. The health benefits of this little blue/green algae are tremendous.

In may not always be possible for us to eat healthily when our lives take us in every direction possible on a daily basis. Eating healthily is, however, one of the most important things you can do to maintain overall health and wellness. If eating healthily is just not always possible due to work, or other things that keep you running a mile a minute, adding spirulina to your diet as a replacement for a snack, meal or just as a supplement to compensate for the "bad" foods we eat will make a huge impact on your overall nutritional intake and well being.