Spirulina Algae: When And How To Take It
More and more people are taking spirulina algae as a food supplement. In fact, it is considered a super food that allows us to increase the intake of vitamins and minerals in a simple way. natural.
Discover all the properties of spirulina algae for health and, above all, how and when to take it to increase its benefits.
Spirulina algae: what is it?
Spirulina is a blue-green algae that grows in low-salt, alkaline and high-quality waters. Its name (the scientific one is Arthrospira ) derives from its particular spiral shape.
But much earlier, the Aztecs also consumed it to increase their endurance when they had to make considerable efforts. Today it is an excellent dietary supplement for athletes.
Nutritional values of spirulina
Thanks to its excellent nutritional value, spirulina is very effective for all types of deficiencies and for improving some problems. Let’s take a look at its composition:
- Spirulina is one of the best vegetable sources of protein, with a high biological value and excellent digestibility. It has a percentage of protein ranging from 65 to 70%.
- It is rich in chlorophyll, the green pigment that stands out for its high detoxifying power.
- It is also rich in vitamins of group B, C, D and E.
- Contains minerals such as potassium, selenium, copper, magnesium, phosphorus and zinc.
- Contains digestive enzymes.
- It has antioxidant properties (thanks to its natural pigments): chlorophyll, carroteinoids and phycocyanins.
- It is composed of 7% fatty acids.
Properties for health
Below we list the healing properties of spirulina.
- It facilitates weight loss, therefore it is recommended in diets. This special quality is given to it by its high satiating power which activates the metabolism and therefore allows you to burn fat.
- It reduces inflammation, improves joint pain and may even prevent osteoporosis.
- It prevents and fights anemia without having to take iron supplements. In addition, it strengthens the immune system.
- It is believed to improve energy and vitality levels while reducing fatigue and stress. However, there are no conclusive studies to support this property.
- Improve concentration and memory.
- Its antioxidant properties help prevent aging both externally and cellularly. In addition, it counteracts the damage caused by free radicals, the passage of time and stress.
How and when to take it?
How and when to take spirulina depend on the goals you want to achieve:
- If you want to lose weight, take spirulina half an hour before meals with a glass of water. In this way the seaweed will give you a sense of satiety that will help you eat less without going hungry.
- If you want to gain weight, take spirulina immediately after meals with dessert.
- As a specific treatment against a specific ailment, take it on an empty stomach, half an hour before meals.
- As a supplement, add it to smoothies made with green leafy fruits and vegetables.
There are no scientific studies that support these indications on hiring times, therefore we always recommend that you consult a specialist first.
We recommend that you choose good quality spirulina, possibly organic, to avoid that it contains components that can affect health, as algae have a great absorbing power.
Spirulina algae: the recommended doses
You can take spirulina powder, mixed with water or food, in capsules or tablets. The starting dose is 500 mg or 1 g, 1 to 3 times a day. However, it is advisable to agree on the intake with a specialist doctor.
It is important to start with low doses, due to the high purifying power of this alga, which could also cause some discomfort such as healing symptoms (headaches, intestinal disorders, etc.). For this reason, we also recommend drinking plenty of water during the treatment, at least one and a half liters per day, between meals.
