Spirulina Facts - What is Spirulina, Nutritional Content and History

Spirulina Facts That Will Interest You:

* Spirulina is a single-celled, microscopic blue green algae that is part of the cyanobacteria family. It grows in alkaline waters of South America, Africa and Mexico.

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* The name "spirulina" is derived from the Latin word for "helix" or "spiral"; denoting the physical configuration of the organism when it forms swirling, microscopic strands.

* Spirulina has been around for literally billions of years. They are some of the earliest and simplest life forms on the planet.

* Spirulina range in size from 2 to 8 microns, which is about the same size as a human blood cell.

* Spirulina is grown for the marketplace by commercial processors who grow these superfoods in vast water farms.

Spirulina Facts: Nutritional Content

* Spirulina is thought to contain every nutrient required by the human body, in near-perfect ratios.

* It is especially rich in vitamin E, vitamin C, beta carotene and B complex, including B-12 (not found in plant foods), and chlorophyll.

* Spirulina is also rich in essential fatty acids, carotenoids and minerals like calcium, iron, magnesium, manganese, potassium and zinc.

* It is recognized to be the most complete food source known; no other food contains as many nutrients as spirulina.

* It has more beta carotene than any other food, ounce-for-ounce.

* Spirulina has an abundance of phytonutrients, many of them not yet identified.

Spirulina Facts: Protein Content

* Spirulina has is the highest protein content of any natural food -- about 70%.

* It is also the world's most digestible natural source of high quality protein, far surpassing the protein bioavailability of beef.

* The absorption of each ounce of protein in spirulina is four times greater than the same ounce of protein in beef.

* Since it already contains three times more protein (by weight), that means that spirulina contains twelve times more digestible protein than beef.

* The protein found in this algae superfood is complete, containing all eight essential amino acids, unlike beans and other plant-based foods that typically lack some of the essential amino acids.

Spirulina Facts: Comparisons to Other Foods

* Spirulina has twice the B-12 content and 2 to 6 times the iron content of liver.

* It has 10 times more beta-carotene than carrots.

* One 3-gram serving provides more antioxidant activity than 5 servings of fruits and vegetables.

* Spirulina produces twenty times as much protein as soybeans when grown on equal-sized areas.

* It produces two hundred times as much usable protein as cattle ranching, acre per acre.

What are the Differences Between Chlorella and Spirulina?

Spirulina Facts - What is Spirulina, Nutritional Content and History

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