Why Spirulina is supplementing good health
Date:
19 Feb 2025
When Spirulina first arrived on the health scene, many people thought it was just another foodie trend on everyone’s lips and it would soon disappear. However, thanks to its anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties, as well as its potential to reduce hay fever symptoms, blood pressure and manage both good and bad cholesterol*, Spirulina is well and truly here to stay.
Leaving other supplements in the dust
So, what is Spirulina, the superfood that helps keep the supplement savvies’ health in check? In short, it’s a blue-green algae that comes as a supplement, in tablet or powder form, that’s packed full of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and protein. It was first eaten by the Aztecs for its nutrition and, more recently, by NASA astronauts on space missions to help their health rocket (pun intended!).
Spirulina contains:
- Phytonutrients. Phycocyanin is the main substance found in Spirulina, helping to keep your health on track.
- Nucleic acids. 5% of the dry supplement is made of nucleic acids – these are the molecules needed for DNA and RNA.
- GLA (Gamma-linolenic acid). This is an essential fatty acid found in vegetables, so if vegetables aren’t always your thing, this could be the solution.
- Protein. 50-70% of dry Spirulina is made of protein. It includes a range of essential amino acids that the body can’t make, as well as non-essential ones that it can.
- Carbohydrates. 15-25% of dry Spirulina consists of carbohydrates.
- Vitamins and minerals
- Iron
- Calcium
- Zinc
- Potassium
- Magnesium
- Folic acid
A sea of benefits
Spirulina is made from an organism that grows in both fresh and saltwater and is making a splash as one of the most popular supplements in the world. Here are just some of the benefits it may have:
Source of antioxidants
Oxidation is a chemical process that can lead to ongoing inflammation and damage to cells, which can, in time, lead to chronic disease and, potentially, cancer. Spirulina is a secret source of goodness, packed with antioxidant compounds, one of them being phycocyanin which is what
gives it its dark blue-green colour.
Manages cholesterol
Antioxidant is a word that’s being used increasingly amongst health seekers and often found sitting next to Spirulina. Rich in compounds with antioxidant properties, Spirulina helps prevent damage to fatty compounds like cholesterol. It has also been known to help manage total cholesterol, lowering the ‘bad’ low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and elevating ‘good’ high-density lipoprotein (HDL).
Reduces high blood pressure
Having high blood pressure is always a worry and can occur in even the healthiest of people. Studies have found that taking just 1-8g of Spirulina each day can significantly reduce both systolic and diastolic blood pressure, especially for people with high blood pressure levels. This is due to increased nitric oxide production, a signalling molecule that helps blood pressure vessels relax and dilate.
Cancer protective properties
Spirulina activates immune cells called natural killer cells, which help us defend against tumours. Cytokines form a frontline of defence against viruses and cancer cells.
Helps blow away hay fever
By reducing the inflammation of nasal airways, studies have shown that Spirulina can help improve symptoms of sneezing, itching and nasal congestion.
Is Spirulina for me?
Spirulina shouldn’t be taken by those with the condition called phenylketonuria (PKU), as it contains the amino acid phenylalanine, which they cannot metabolise. It is also not recommended for anyone with an autoimmune condition, for example rheumatoid arthritis, lupus or multiple sclerosis.
Always check with your doctor before taking the supplement. But if you think your body’s craving an extra dose of anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties, as well as the need to manage both ‘good’ and ‘bad’ cholesterol, lower blood sugar, control hay fever symptoms and stock up on vitamins, minerals and much more…
Spirulina could be just the answer you’ve been looking for.
