Spirulina powder. How to take, indications for use, reviews

To increase the performance of the immune system, improve metabolism and remove harmful substances from the body, it is recommended to take the dietary supplement Spirulina. The drug is made based on Chinese brown algae.

The dietary supplement is available in powder form, which contains beneficial amino acids, vitamins, active flavonoids, minerals and herbal immunostimulants. Before purchasing the drug, it is recommended to study the instructions supplied with it in order to familiarize yourself with the pharmacological properties of the food additive and make sure there are no contraindications.

Release form

Spirulina is a powder (it is recommended to take dietary supplements for diabetes mellitus in order to improve the functioning of the pancreas, increase the sensitivity of cells to insulin and enhance the pharmacological properties of hypoglycemic drugs) with a wide spectrum of action, which can be consumed in its pure form, added to ready-made meals and drinks, and also used for making cosmetic masks and scrubs.

This form of food supplement is the most popular and effective, since the production process of the drug involves a minimum amount of technologies and methods for processing natural raw materials. Due to this, all the beneficial substances are preserved in the crushed algae. The only drawback of the powder is the presence of a characteristic marine taste and smell.

History of the use of spirulina - from the Aztecs to the present day

Scientists tend to think that spirulina has been known to man since time immemorial, and the American Aztecs are considered to be its “discoverers.” Until the beginning of the 16th century, this blue-green algae formed an important part of the Indian diet, increasing their stamina and improving their health.

According to one legend, the Spaniards managed to conquer America precisely thanks to spirulina, or rather... its destruction. The insidious conquistadors blocked all the Aztecs’ routes to Lake Texcoco, from which the miraculous mud was extracted, and then completely drained it. Left without their “magic” food, the Indians weakened and were unable to repel the strangers.

Of course, the legend is just a beautiful story, but it is based on very real facts: such a lake really existed and was almost completely destroyed, and with it the culture of using spirulina. There is documentary evidence that the Spanish conquistador Bernard Diaz Castillo, during his campaigns of conquest, paid attention to the green cakes that the Mexicans ate. Mr. Castillo found out that these cakes were made from dried mud, which the Indians collected from the surface of Lake Texcoco, called “tecuitlatl” and considered sacred food. Alas, the Spaniard did not think of turning the Indians’ secret to his advantage, and soon corn and tomato fields appeared in the place of the destroyed lakes.

The next time the general public learned about this unusual algae was only in the middle of the 20th century, when in 1965, during a scientific expedition in Africa, the Belgian botanist Jean Leonard found a small Kanenbu tribe near Lake Chad, whose way of life was significantly different from other tribes. Unlike other Africans, the people of this nation were long-lived and rarely got sick. Having studied their customs, the Belgian figured out that the Kanenbu regularly eat so-called “green bread.”

The women of the tribe collected algae from the surface of the lake using special fine-mesh baskets and nets, and then dried it under the sun, applying a thick layer of emerald paste onto stones or directly onto the sand. Thanks to this “food supplement,” the Kanenbu did not feel hungry and always remained full of energy.

Returning home, the scientist examined the mud and discovered that it was almost 60% protein. This fact seemed extremely interesting to Jean Leonard and his colleagues, and they focused their attention on studying green bacteria from Lake Chad. By the end of the 20th century, spirulina had become a well-known superfood, popular in many countries. And NASA and the European Space Union have made it a staple food for astronauts.

Nowadays, spirulina is actively used in the food industry, cosmetics and medicine. It is used to make bread, chips, sauces and various drinks, added to masks and creams, and bioactive supplements are made based on it.

Remarkably, little has changed for African women living on the shores of Lake Chad: they still hand-pick the seaweed paste from the water and then pour it into depressions in the sand, where it quickly dries in the sun to form a crumbly green “cake.” ", called "dihe". These “pies” are cut into pieces by women and sold at the market.

Spirulina is harvested in a similar way in China - in the large lake Qinghai. But in America and other countries with a suitable climate, hundreds of square meters of artificial reservoirs with waterways that meander under the hot sun have been created. Green algae collected from these ponds is transferred to the factory, where metal vats bubble and fans spin loudly. Most spirulina is dried and turned into a nutritious green powder for use in supplements, while less is more radically processed, turning the humble green mucilage into a pure, bright blue color intended to color everything from candy to yogurt.

Chemical composition

The dietary supplement is characterized by a rich chemical composition. The drug is based on spirulina, which belongs to the genus of cyanobacteria. This blue-green algae contains vitamins A, B, C, E, D, K. Spirulina is a source of calcium, potassium, chromium, phosphorus and magnesium.

Spirulina powder.

Single-celled algae powder helps replenish the body's deficiency of selenium, copper, sodium and zinc. Moreover, spirulina contains 35-38 times more iron than spinach. But beta-carotene is 25-29 times more than in fresh carrots. Spirulina contains chlorophyll, which is responsible for cleansing the body of toxins, helps improve overall well-being, and also has a positive effect on brain activity.

The final biochemical composition of the dietary supplement powder may vary depending on the growing conditions of the unicellular algae.

Spirulina algae: what is it and what is it used for

Spirulina in many cases acts as an alternative to medications, but not in the case of serious pathologies. It is a single-celled blue-green algae from the genus Arthrospira (cyanobacteria). It got its name due to its spiral shape. Chlorophyll, anthocyanins and phycocyanins give it an unusual shade.

At first, spirulina was classified as a plant, then it was classified as a genus of bacteria, but the former name remained. This is a unique organic matter that has not changed for millions of years. In its natural environment, it lives only in lakes in Mexico and Africa. Therefore, they learned to grow algae in artificial reservoirs, which are called spirulina farms.

They are prepared for sale in two ways. If dried, then stabilizers and preservatives are added to the dietary supplements. But then its benefit decreases, it is absorbed worse. Frozen spirulina is preferable, as it retains more beneficial properties. It is important to be careful when harvesting seaweed. They can absorb heavy metals and quickly absorb fertilizers and pesticides, all of which can cause poisoning or serious health problems.

Therefore, it is recommended to buy spirulina from trusted manufacturers. The Ashanti Indian Products website sells seaweed in powder and tablet form. All products are safe, tested and certified. This is an organic product that is used as a food additive for cosmetic procedures - wraps and masks.

They contain many valuable microelements. Each has its own role, but together they enhance each other's effectiveness. Due to its rich composition, the use of spirulina strengthens the immune system, helps treat anemia, and protects the liver. Algae reduces the concentration of bad cholesterol, appetite and excess body weight.

Pharmacological properties

Numerous laboratory studies have shown that the dietary supplement Spirulina not only strengthens the immune system, but also improves metabolism and reduces the risk of developing cancer. The nutritional supplement has a positive effect on the body of women during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Among the main pharmacological properties of Spirulina are:

Reducing the concentration of glucose and cholesterol in the blood, which helps reduce the risk of developing coronary diseases, atherosclerosis and diabetes by 80%.
Improving metabolic processes. Single-celled algae prevents excess weight gain.
A dietary supplement increases the effectiveness of combination drug therapy, the effect of which is aimed at treating stomach ulcers, osteochondrosis, allergies, hypertension, and insomnia. The dietary supplement Spirulina is recommended for use in vascular diseases, joint inflammation and chronic fatigue.
Normalization of hormonal levels.
Improving the condition of the skin and mucous membranes.
Reducing dependence on tobacco and alcohol.
Relief of inflammatory processes.
Increased physical endurance.
Removing waste and toxins from the body.
Reducing the likelihood of premature aging of the body.
Elimination of vitamin and mineral deficiency.
Increasing the body's resistance to infectious diseases.

Spirulina powder is in great demand in cosmetology, since this natural product is used to make various masks that improve skin tone and help get rid of facial wrinkles. The dietary supplement can be used for comprehensive hair care to improve its natural color and add shine.

How it works

Spirulina is a green-blue seaweed. Their beneficial effect is not only to replenish the level of iodine in the blood, but also to lower the level of bad cholesterol, reduce excess weight, strengthen blood vessels, and normalize heart rate.

Taking Spirulina normalizes blood composition, strengthens blood vessels and capillaries, and dissolves cholesterol plaques. And thanks to this, the risk of cardiovascular diseases and accidents is reduced.

In addition, while taking this biological supplement, the intestinal microflora is normalized. Spirulina also strengthens the immune system and reduces the risk of cancer.

The dietary supplement reduces the toxicity of certain drugs that negatively affect the kidneys. It also normalizes glucose levels in the body.

Thanks to taking Spirulina, the number of acute respiratory diseases is reduced.

Pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics

The dietary supplement Spirulina has a radioprotective effect on the body and increases the number of bifidobacteria and lactobacilli in the intestines. Regular use of the drug reduces the resulting nephrotoxicity of medications and heavy metal salts. Single-celled algae powder increases the body's resistance to seasonal respiratory diseases.

Spirulina has immunomodulatory properties, since the components present in its composition stimulate the functioning of all organs, tissues and cells of the immune system (for example, bone marrow stem cells, macrophagocytes, spleen, thymus, as well as EK and T cells).

The drug has a powerful antioxidant and antitumor effect and stimulates hematopoiesis. Spirulina helps improve the condition of stem cells found in the bone marrow. Due to this, the cellular immunity of leukocytes, as well as red blood cells, which are responsible for transporting oxygen throughout the body, increases.

Spirulina has the following properties:

Anti-allergenic.
Anti-inflammatory.
Wound healing.
Antioxidant.

Doctors recommend taking Spirulina to professional athletes, vegetarians, bodybuilders, as well as those people who need to compensate for the deficiency of B vitamins or follow a strict diet. Powder from unicellular algae is a complete source of vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin), which is absent in plant foods, but is necessary for the body for normal hematopoiesis.

Indications for use

Spirulina is a powder (it is recommended to take dietary supplements if the body is highly prone to developing an allergic reaction, when the patient’s condition worsens due to hay fever or allergic dermatitis) with a wide spectrum of action, which is increasingly included in combination therapy for the treatment and prevention of the development of chronic diseases.

In the annotation for the drug, the manufacturer indicated the indications for use:

Gynecological diseases. For example, fibroids, polycystic ovary syndrome, mastopathy, cervical erosion.
Oncological neoplasms.
Pathologies of the cardiovascular system.
Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.
Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, liver, kidneys.
Diabetes.
Dermatological diseases that are associated with hypovitaminosis, dysbacteriosis or age-related hyperkeratosis.
Obesity.
Thyroid diseases.
Child planning period.
Diseases of the musculoskeletal system.
Menopause.

If Spirulina powder is used to prepare masks, then in the end it will be possible to improve skin color, smooth out fine wrinkles, cleanse pores, get rid of acne and gain a beautiful glow. By adding the product to shampoo, you can strengthen your hair, making it fuller and silkier.

What is spirulina?

Although we call spirulina an algae, it is primarily a biomass of bacteria. Yes, from such small (only 0.2–0.5 mm long) living creatures in the form of emerald spirals. Cyanobacteria, also called microalgae, appeared on earth about 3.5 billion years ago and are considered the real pioneers of life on our planet. They haven't changed much over the past millennia.

The name "spirulina" comes from the Latin word meaning "tiny spiral."

There are quite a lot of cyanobacteria in the world. There are approximately 1,500 different species of blue-green microalgae (of which 36 are edible), found on every continent except Antarctica. The two most commonly used in food supplements are Spirulina platensis and Spirulina maxima.

Spirulina can be found everywhere in nature, even in the Sinai Desert, but there are only two truly large natural sources of this substance in the world - Lake Chad in Africa and Lake Qinghai in China. All the rest were created artificially in the 20th–21st centuries. Spirulina platensis prefers tropical and subtropical climates and is grown in Africa, Asia and South America, while Spirulina maxima can only be found in Central America. The largest commercial producers of spirulina are in many countries with warm climates: the USA, Chile, China, India, Thailand, Taiwan, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Myanmar, Greece, etc.

When dried, spirulina turns into green particles that are stored for a long time without losing their beneficial properties. It is cultivated throughout the world and is used as a dietary supplement for both humans and animals.

Chemical composition of spirulina

Spirulina is very rich in nutrients, vitamins and minerals, which is why it is so highly valued by nutritionists and healthy eating advocates.

100 g of this product contains about 24 g of carbohydrates, 8 g of fat and 57.5 g of proteins, which include 18 amino acids, including essential ones.

Spirulina in dry powder form provides 290 calories and is a rich source of essential nutrients, including B vitamins and minerals.

Contraindications

Spirulina is a powder that is advisable to take for atherosclerosis and hypertension. Daily consumption of 1 g of pure drug for 90 days can reduce the levels of bad cholesterol in the blood by 15-20%. By improving the condition of blood vessels, blood pressure is normalized.

However, dietary supplements should not be taken if the body is hypersensitive to spirulina. If there are acute inflammatory processes in the body, you should consult your doctor before using a dietary supplement.

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Instructions for use, dosage

Spirulina is a simple, single-celled freshwater algae that is only beneficial when taken as recommended. Before use, the powder must be mixed with your favorite drink or added to a prepared dish. When drawing up an individual course of therapy, the doctor takes into account the patient’s age and the nature of his diseases.

For example:

Mastopathy. Immediately after waking up (on an empty stomach) you need to take 5 g of Spirulina. After 30-40 minutes. you can have breakfast. Take the dietary supplement once a day.
Fibroids. From 5 to 7 g of dietary supplement should be taken 1 hour before meals, 1 time per day.
For toxicosis and erosion of the cervix, the daily dosage of the drug should not exceed 6 g. The drug is taken immediately after waking up.
In the presence of diseases of the esophagus, the drug Spirulina is prescribed in a dosage of 0.5-0.7 g 5-7 times a day. In severe cases, the drug can be taken up to 10 times a day to improve the condition.
For liver diseases, the dietary supplement Spirulina can be used as a hepatoprotector. To do this, powder from unicellular algae is taken once a day, 3 g.
After surgical removal of thyroid tissue, it is recommended to take 2 g of dietary supplements on an empty stomach. To restore the body, you need to take the powder for 3-6 months.
Glomerulonephritis. Adults and children over 14 years of age are prescribed 2 g of dietary supplement per day. For complex treatment of kidney disease in children under 14 years of age, the dosage of the drug should be reduced to 1.5 g.
To increase sexual activity, as well as during menopause, the powder is taken in the morning, 3-4 g.
For patients over 65 years of age, Spirulina is prescribed 2 g once a day to improve health. Therapy should last 3-4 weeks.
For a comprehensive fight against bronchial asthma, you need to take 1 g of the dietary supplement for the first 3 days, then 1.5 g for another 3 days. The dosage of the drug should be increased gradually to 3 g. The therapeutic course should last 60 days.

You can make a nourishing face mask from single-celled algae powder. To do this you need to take 2-3 tsp. natural remedy and add 1-2 tsp to it. water at room temperature. In addition to the nutritional mixture, you must add 1 tsp. liquid honey. All ingredients must be mixed thoroughly. The resulting mixture is evenly applied to dry facial skin. After 60 min. The mask can be washed off with warm running water.

To prepare an anti-cellulite scrub, you need to take Spirulina powder and mix it with Epsom salt in equal proportions. Add 7 drops of tangerine or grapefruit essential oil to the resulting mixture. The scrub should be applied to problem areas after taking a bath. The scrub should be rubbed well into the skin and left for 45 minutes, then rinsed with warm water. The procedure is carried out 3 times a week.

How to use spirulina

The product is sold in several forms: powder, capsules and flakes. The choice of form depends on the method of consumption of the product. The powder can be easily added to your morning or post-workout smoothie/porridge/soup/any dish, and capsules or flakes are great for taking the superfood in courses (like a pill).

Spirulina smoothie recipe

Green smoothies are energy drinks made from green foods (greens, avocado, vegetables, spinach, celery, apple, kiwi). Using spirulina infuses the smoothie with an explosive dose of beta-carotene, protein, iron, chlorophyll and essential fatty acids. It is recommended to combine spirulina with sweet foods to cover up the off-putting taste of the seaweed. One glass of the drink contains both tasty, nutritious saturation and a solution to many health problems.

The daily intake of spirulina is from 3 to 5 grams per day (about 1-2 teaspoons).

We will need:

pear – 1 piece;
ripe banana – 1 piece;
spinach – 1 handful;
liquid to taste (plant milk/filtered water) – ¾ cup;
spirulina powder – 1 teaspoon.

Preparation

Place a banana in the freezer in advance to give the drink a thick structure and a low temperature (it is recommended to drink the smoothie slightly chilled). Peel and rinse all the ingredients, add to the blender one by one and blend until smooth. Drink your smoothie immediately after making it, or pour it into a shaker for an energy drink later.

Side effects

In 99% of cases, the dietary supplement Spirulina is well tolerated by the body of adults and children. With prolonged use, the drug can turn stool green, which is due to the presence of a large amount of chlorophyll in algae.

This is a normal reaction of the body to a nutritional supplement, which is why discontinuation of therapy is not required. In rare cases, patients complain of dyspeptic disorders, which manifest themselves in the form of nausea, abdominal pain and an unpleasant taste in the mouth. If these symptoms occur, you should consult your doctor for advice.

The single-celled algae contains a large amount of beta-carotene, which can cause yellowing of the skin on the palms. In this case, the daily dosage of the dietary supplement must be reduced, but it is not recommended to completely abandon the drug.

If the patient has a history of gallstone disease or nephrolithiasis, Spirulina can be used only in minimal doses and after prior consultation with the attending physician. Otherwise, there is a high probability of strangulation of the urinary tract when a calculus passes through it, which is due to the ability of the algae to remove the protein-crystalline suspension from the body.

1 patient out of 100 develops an allergic reaction after using a dietary supplement, which is accompanied by the following symptoms:

Attacks of nausea, vomiting.
Increased body temperature.
Hives.
Chills, general malaise.
Dizziness.
Itching and burning of the skin.

If, after using the dietary supplement Spirulina, the patient’s condition begins to deteriorate, then you should immediately seek advice from your doctor, who will perform the necessary diagnostic procedures, prescribe symptomatic treatment, and also help you choose a safer analogue.

Spirulina: contraindications

Before use, you should consult your doctor; algae has risks and contraindications for consuming spirulina:

recent heart attacks, strokes;
hyperthyroidism;
intolerance to individual components of dietary supplements or the algae themselves;
phenylketonuria;
simultaneous use of anticoagulants;
children under 1 year of age;
the presence of stones in the gallbladder, bladder, kidneys;
hypertension.

The main risk of using algae is that it absorbs heavy metals; spirulina also absorbs particles of other cyanobacteria that contain the toxin microcystin. If it gets into the intestines, it causes upset, and with prolonged exposure it can cause liver cancer.

In some pathologies, it is impossible to thin the blood and remove harmful substances. Therefore, oncological diseases become contraindications when chemotherapy is prescribed. Then spirulina will begin to actively remove chemicals and interfere with the medicinal effect. It will also interfere with therapy in the presence of sand and stones in the gallbladder, bladder, and kidneys. It is not recommended to use spirulina together with garlic and turmeric, they thin the blood.

Arthrospira (spirulina) is most often easily tolerated and does not cause side effects. But it is impossible to predict individual intolerance to the components of the composition in advance. Side effects may include headaches, nausea, redness of the skin, excessive sweating, and poor concentration. Therefore, they begin to take algae in small doses.

Arthrospira is used with caution for autoimmune diseases - lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis. Increased immunity may worsen the condition. In case of an overdose, itching, rashes, and yellowing of the palms occur. Sometimes there is abdominal pain, abnormal bowel movements, and constant thirst.

Spirulina is a very valuable product that has a powerful positive effect on the body. But it should be used with caution, starting with small doses and purchased only from trusted manufacturers. It cannot replace medications, it is used only as an adjuvant.

Overdose

In medical practice, cases of overdose with Spirulina have not yet been recorded. At the same time, the manufacturer of the dietary supplement does not exclude the possibility that repeated exceeding the recommended dosage of the dietary supplement may provoke the occurrence of the following symptoms:

Abnormal stool.
Headache attacks.
Increased body temperature.
Vomit.
General malaise.
Hives, itching and burning of the skin.
Profuse salivation.
Sleep disturbance.

If symptoms of overdose occur, you should stop taking dietary supplements and consult your doctor.

Who should not use it

The biological additive has contraindications.

Spirulina should not be used for:

gallstones and kidney stones in short people;
personal intolerance;
undergoing chemical therapy.

Short people have much thinner urinary tracts than tall people. Therefore, stones can get stuck in the ureter, because Spirulina removes stones from the gallbladder and kidneys. Therefore, short people are not recommended to take this dietary supplement.

Cancer patients should not take Spirulina during chemotherapy, because it actively removes all harmful substances from the body. And the therapy cannot be absorbed as it should.

special instructions

Spirulina is a powder (the drug can be taken simultaneously with other medications, the action of which is aimed at cleansing the body and normalizing intestinal microflora), which has a positive effect on the condition of blood vessels, bones, muscles and skin.

Spirulina powder.

This dietary supplement is in great demand among people who want to slow down the body's natural aging process and improve their quality of life. The single-cell algae contains protein, which is indispensable for increased fatigue, excessive physical and mental stress, as well as reduced performance.

Laboratory studies have shown that Spirulina has a positive effect on blood composition even in those patients who have suffered bone marrow destruction. Due to these properties, freshwater algae is widely used to treat those patients who have been diagnosed with cancer or radiation sickness.

Spirulina contains piliose, which reduces the percentage of radiation damage to cells and also stimulates the proliferation of blood cells in the bone marrow. Blue-green algae is rich in vitamin A, which is necessary for maintaining normal hair and skin condition. With a lack of retinol, hormonal imbalance occurs, the risk of developing diseases of the cardiovascular system increases, and the immune system's resistance to infections decreases.

Spirulina helps compensate for the lack of cobalamin in the body, thereby preventing the development of pernicious anemia. To meet the daily requirement of an adult for vitamin B12, you need to consume 4 g of single-celled algae powder daily. Numerous laboratory studies of spirulina made it possible to verify its safety and effectiveness, thanks to which WHO staff were able to register it as a medicinal food complex.

Spirulina: properties and health benefits

Spirulina has many beneficial qualities. The protein contains phycocyanin, which is a powerful natural immunostimulant. It resists many pathogenic microorganisms, viruses and bacteria. Other health benefits of spirulina:

Chlorophyll is good for the liver. Protects and restores it after toxic damage. One of the main medicinal properties of chlorophyll is that it is dangerous for cancer cells, therefore it is good for the prevention of cancer.
Reduces inflammation.
Protects muscles from damage and oxidation.
Anthocyanins have a strong anticarcinogenic property.
Improves blood condition. With daily consumption of spirulina, hemoglobin levels increase.
Antioxidants neutralize free radicals and protect cells from destruction. Remove radionuclides and heavy metal salts from the body.
Useful for diabetes, reduces hyperglycemia. According to studies, if you take 2 g of powder daily, there is an improvement in lipid markers.
Spirulina restores normal cell function and accelerates their regeneration.
Iron prevents atherosclerosis, thrombosis, and anemia.
Reduces blood pressure. To do this, you need to take 4.5 g of powder daily.
Spirulina improves the functioning of the digestive system. Fights irritable bowel syndrome, erosion, heartburn.
Algae have a rejuvenating effect. They have a beneficial effect on the skin and hair, strengthen nails, and prevent the appearance of gray hair.
Protein accelerates the recovery of the body, is necessary for the construction of cells, and enhances physical activity.
Helps with mastopathy, fibroids, polycystic ovary syndrome.
Relieves symptoms of allergic rhinitis. The mucous membrane becomes inflamed, and spirulina stops this process and the resulting runny nose. To do this, you need to drink 2 g of powder daily. After this, swelling of the nose, itching goes away, and mucus secretion decreases.
Spirulina can be taken during pregnancy, it supports and strengthens the body.
Prevents alopecia and copes with its cause.
Restores skin tone and prevents premature aging.
Spirulina helps with erectile dysfunction and male infertility, when the cause cannot be identified. Prevents prostate diseases.
Reduces physical and mental fatigue.
Spirulina can be taken to prevent preeclampsia.
Helps normalize the menstrual cycle, makes them easier to endure, and improves the condition of the eggs. Relieves the symptoms of menopause.

If you use the supplement during a diet, it will increase its effectiveness. This is a low-calorie product that is a good appetite suppressant. Algae is used in cosmetology for wraps and masks. They saturate the skin with minerals and elements, smooth out wrinkles, and remove orange peel. Masks with algae mattify the skin, eliminate sebaceous shine, and normalize the functioning of the sebaceous glands.

Analogs

If the drug Spirulina is not available in the pharmacy, it can be replaced with another drug. Modern pharmacology presents structural analogues, as well as food additives with a different composition, but with a similar principle of action.

Drug name	Description
Spirulina Tianshi	This dietary supplement is based on wild spirulina powder. The drug is indicated for diseases of the cardiovascular system, diabetes, anemia, infectious diseases, pathologies of the visual apparatus and skin rashes. The daily dosage of the dietary supplement depends on the age of the patient: children under 7 years old - 1 capsule, children from 7 to 14 years old - 1-2 capsules, teenagers and adults - up to 6 capsules per day. Therapy can last from 1 to 6 months. The average price of the drug Spirulina Tiens is 980 rubles.
Lipovitam Beta	The drug contains: vitamins E and C, beta-carotene, natural phospholipids. The nutritional supplement is included in complex drug therapy in the presence of the following diseases and conditions: bronchial asthma, cancer, atherosclerosis, cataracts, vitamin deficiency, stomach and duodenal ulcers, toxicosis, hypertension, increased fragility of nails and hair. For prevention purposes, you need to take 1 capsule of dietary supplements in the morning and evening. For the complex treatment of chronic diseases, Lipovitam Beta is taken 3 times a day, 2 capsules. The drug costs around 890 rubles.
Solyasol	The product is available in the form of a balm for oral use. The composition of the drug includes: Kholmovoy Solyanka herb extract, purified water, hawthorn fruit tincture, licorice root extract, sodium benzoate, chokeberry fruit extract. The product is recommended to be taken as a dietary supplement to food to compensate for the lack of flavonoids and glycyrrhizic acid in the body. The drug is effective in the complex treatment of gynecological, ophthalmological, dermatological, cardiovascular and otorhinolaryngological diseases. You need to take 2 tsp of the balm. 3 times a day with meals. Before use, dissolve the product in 200 ml of tea or warm water. Solyasol costs 498-850 rubles.
Nagipol	This drug contains amino acids, vitamins, polysaccharides, nucleotides, carbohydrates, lower and higher peptides, and various microelements. When used correctly, Nagipol increases the body's resistance to seasonal colds. The drug is used in traditional medicine for the combined treatment and prevention of the development of the following diseases: iron deficiency anemia, furunculosis, hepatitis, tachycardia, atherosclerosis, gastric and duodenal ulcers, hypertension. It is recommended to take Nagipol 10 minutes before. before meals. The standard dosage is 2-3 g of powder 3 times a day. The therapeutic course lasts 2 months. In severe cases of illness, the dosage of the drug can be increased by 2 times. Nagipol costs 87-199 rubles.

It is not recommended to choose an analogue of the dietary supplement Spirulina on your own, since in order to safely undergo drug therapy you need to undergo a comprehensive medical examination, on the basis of which a qualified doctor will prescribe effective treatment.

Industrial use of the ingredient

The Aztecs began using spirulina. Algae served as one of the most important sources of nutritious food for all tribes of Mesoamerica until the 16th century. The Aztecs named the seaweed tecuitlatl. The largest “harvest” of spirulina was collected from Lake Texcoco (modern territory of Mexico). Algae was transported anywhere in the world in the form of flattened cakes of a blue-green hue. Information about the strange tortillas was recorded by the soldiers of Cortez, the Spanish conquistador who conquered Mexico.

A study by French scientists (conducted in the 1960s) found that spirulina was used in the daily diet until the 16th century. After this time point, mentions of the product stop abruptly. One possible reason is acceptable food alternatives and urbanization. The gradual transformation of villages into the prototype of cities, the drying up of lakes to prepare pastures for cattle, became decisive in the issue of spirulina consumption.

Today, algae are actively cultivated in almost every corner of the world. Natural habitats of cyanobacteria are few in number - the dried-up Lake Texcoco has been replaced by Qinghai and the waters of Chad. Traditional collections of spirulina occur as follows: a mass of algae (dihe) is taken from water arteries, dried, pressed and delivered to distribution points. Locals prepare spirulina-based soups or simply eat the pressed cubes as a snack.

In the late 80s, the European Space Agency and NASA decided to use spirulina as one of the most important components of astronaut nutrition. In conditions of weightlessness, a person needs to get high nutritional value from food and the fastest possible saturation, which is what blue-green algae possess.

Price

The wide spectrum of action of the dietary supplement Spirulina is due to the fact that it contains a large number of amino acids, as well as vitamin-protein and mineral substances. Doctors recommend taking the drug to reduce tissue oxygen demand, normalize digestion and improve general condition.

In the presence of chronic diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, unicellular algae powder restores the natural intestinal microflora. The drug also improves the functioning of the thyroid gland and increases the protective functions of the immune system. When used regularly, the dietary supplement helps cope with vitamin, protein and mineral deficiencies.

Spirulina in powder form costs from 90 to 513 rubles. The drug is well tolerated, since the likelihood of adverse reactions when taking it is practically excluded.

Degree of safety and contraindications

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Scientists conducted toxicological studies to determine the safety of spirulina for daily and occasional dietary consumption. During the study, subjects were asked to replace 60% of their daily intake of animal and plant protein with protein from spirulina. The proportions of the component were about 800 mg/kg. No signs of toxicological effects were found, the body calmly responded to the replacement and accepted the new type of protein.

Scientists have confirmed that fertility and teratogenicity have not been affected in any way over several generations, and spirulina has been recognized as one of the healthiest foods in the world.

In 2009, 550 malnourished children in poor countries were asked to consume 10 grams of spirulina powder per day. This is how the kids managed to equalize their daily caloric intake in a short time and without side effects.

Cyanobacteria, including spirulina, are capable of producing toxins. Scientists claim that their concentration is so minimal that it cannot have a cumulative effect and in any way harm a person.

The toxins released by cyanobacteria cause gastrointestinal upset and lead to the development of liver cancer.

The fact of toxicity has forced many manufacturers to reconsider production safety, strengthen requirements for the quality of the finished product and tighten safety controls.

What follows from this

Be as careful and thorough as possible when consuming superfoods. Choose a responsible manufacturer whose products are certified and meet international quality standards.

A direct contraindication to consuming superfoods is phenylketonuria. This is a rare disease that is transmitted genetically and is associated with difficulties in assimilating a certain list of amino acids. Spirulina should be avoided when treated with anticoagulants. The component contains a high concentration of vitamin K, which can aggravate the course of the disease. In this case, it is necessary to coordinate the diet with your doctor and periodically check the body’s reaction to the superfood.

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