Spirulin: astonishing seaweed

Résumé du document

From a biological point of view, Spirulin is one of the oldest inhabitants of the Earth. This cyanobacterium appeared 3.5 billions years ago. It is thought to have achieved photosynthesis for another billion years, until the first plant apparition. It naturally grows between latitudes 35°N and 35°S, in the shallow hot waters of salty and alkaline lakes in tropical and sub-tropical areas. It can be a fabulous food supplement, and that is the reason why we have been interested in it. Indeed, in Sub-Saharian Africa, in a world area where malnutrition is prevalent, NGOs observed that lake Chad bank's inhabitants were significantly less concerned with this problem. Now, they have been eating “dihé” for generations, which is a spirulin cake naturally dried by the sun. In the 50s, spirulin's exceptional nutritious qualities were scientifically analysed and highlighted by scientists. The United Nations, in 1974, even said that spirulin was undoubtedly: “The best food of the future and one of the most precious nutrition source offered to humanity “.

Extraits

[...] References http://www.spirunet.org www.who.int Harriman-GR; Smith-PD; Horne-MK; Fox-CH; Koenig-S; Lack-EE; Lane-HC; Fauci- AS (1989) "Vitamin B12 malabsorptio n in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome" Hwang D. (1989). "Essential fatty acids and immune response" Johnson P. et Shubert E. (1986) "Availability of iron to rats from spirulina, a blue-green algae". Kapoor-R; Mehta-U (1993) "Utilization of beta-carotene from Spirulina platensis by rats".Plant-Foods-Hum-Nutr. Mitchell-GV; Grundel- Jenkins-M; Blakely-SR (1990) "Effects of graded dietary levels of Spirulina maxima on vitamins A and E in male rats". NAKAYA HOMMA GOTO Y.(1988) “Cholestérol lowering effect of spirulina”. Ross-E; Dominy-W (1990) "The nutritional value of dehydrated, blue-green algae (Spirulina platensis) for poultry". [...]

[...] So with such high contents in this vitamin, spirulin would decrease the risks of mother-to- child transmission. Anticancerous effects Several studies have shown that spirulin allows to prevent or to inhibit cancers in humans or in animals, thanks to calcium spirulan and β-carotene again. In 1986, a study led by Schwartz, at Harvard, showed the efficiency of β- carotene extracted from spirulin in the reduction of cancer cells of epithelial tumors of the cheek. A preventive effect as well as very significant curative one has been noticed. [...]

[...] Minerals and trace elements Spirulin's most interesting minerals are iron, magnesium, calcium and phosphorus. Iron: Five grams of spirulin supply asa much iron as 275g of spinachs. It represents 50% of the daily needs in iron. This very high content (from 580- 1800 mg/kg) is to be underlined because iron deficiencies (anaemiaes) are very widespread, especially in pregnant women and children, and because good food iron sources are rare. When compared with spirulin, complete cereals, classified among the best iron sources, contain only from 150 - 250 mg/kg. [...]

[...] They degrade year after year our potential of fighting against attacks of all kinds. The S.O.D enzyme (Superoxidize dismutase) contained in spirulin checks these free radicals, thus avoiding a fast degeneration of all that constitutes our vitality. Conclusion Today, scientists worldwide are interested in spirulin because of its virtues. It does not certainly represent the ultimate solution against hunger in the world but it contributes to improving the nutritional state in places where other proteins, iron sources, the vitamin A are not available. [...]

[...] Linoleic acid has a high nutritious value and is implicated in prostaglandin synthesis It can be normally synthetized in the organism but it is very expensive in terms of energy. Lipidic analysis in Spirulin Glucids They represent a large part of Spirulin composition. They notably compose the cell membrane. Simple glucids (like glucose, fructose and saccharose) are present in low rates. On the other hand, polymers like rhamnosanne ( 9.7 or glycogen ( 0.5 constitute the essential part of these glucids. They are easily assimilated by the organism. Spirulin thus offers fast energy whithout tiring the pancreas and so without triggering a hipoglycemia. [...]