Spirulina are floating filamentous cyanobacteria with cylindrical trichomes in left-hand helix. Spirulina grows naturally in tropical and subtropical lakes with high pH and high concentrations of carbonate and bicarbonate. It is commonly used as food supplements.

For centuries Aztecs have been eating Spirulina. The earliest record reveals that it grew in Lake Texcoco, and was collected and sold as food. The first Spirulina manufacturing factory was established in 1970s. Recent years it has become a popular thing in the world, and has been approved by the FDA, WHO and other medical authourities as health food.

Spirulina is rich in proteins, vitamins and minerals. It contains Lysine, Cysteine, Methionine, Phenylalanine and Threonine, whic are important amino acids that can only be acquired by human beings through food. Spirulina is also a very rich source of Vitamin B-12. It has much higher iron content than Spinach. It contains much higher amounts of Beta-Carotene than carrots.

As a food Spirulina has been consumed in various forms over centuries in different parts of the world. Its protein constituent can be easily digested form. It also contains minerals, vitamins, essential fatty acids and antioxidants that are not available to humans from any single food of vegetable or animal source known so far.

Spirulina is helpful in preventing gastro enteric disturbances as it enhances intestinal flora such as Lactobacillus and Bifidus bacteria. It is also known to reduce the risks of infection by Eschericha Coli and Canrdida Albicans, two virulent gastroenteritis pathogens. Spirulina by virtue of its fatty acid contents is known to reduce Cholesterol. It contains anti-oxidant radicals that scavenge highly reactive free radicals that are known to be involved in the occurrence of many degenerative disorders such as cancer.

Spirulina is a rich source of potassium, and also contains calcium, chromium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, selenium, sodium, and zinc. Spirulina contains many pigments including chlorophyll-a, xanthophyll, beta-carotene, echinenone, myxoxanthophyll, zeaxanthin, canthaxanthin, diatoxanthin, 3'-hydroxyechinenone, beta-cryptoxanthin, oscillaxanthin, plus the phycobiliproteins c-phycocyanin and allophycocyanin.

Spirulina helps prevent heart damage caused by chemotherapy using Doxorubicin, without interfering with its anti-tumor activity. Spirulina reduces the severity of strokes and improves recovery of movement after a stroke; reverses age-related declines in memory and learning; and prevents and treats hay fever.

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