MRH Certified Organic Spirulina is a complete food! Spirulina provides all the vitammins, EFA's, DHA, EPA and amino acids necessary. AND it is the VERY BEST healthy way to lose weight. It metabolizes fat and keeps blood sugar level so you don't crave sweets while helping with everything from eye health to hormone balance. It metabolizes fat. According to a 2009 study in the Journal of Nutrition, people who ate higher amounts of carotenoids (like beta-carotene, alpha carotene, and lycopene) had smaller waists as well as less body fat. Spirulina also provides the body with all the essential nutrients required daily and has proved to be the most powerful and well-balanced source of nutrition on the planet. It is such a complete food that one can live on Spirulina and water. Spirulina has been called a SuperFood because it contains the most remarkable concentration of nutrients known in any food, plant, grain or herb. It's the highest protein food. It has a complete B complex including vitamin B12, iron and trace minerals and the rare essential fatty acid GLA. These make spirulina a great whole food alternative to isolated vitamin and minerals.

Spirulina is considered a complete source of protein because well over half of it consists of amino acids — the building blocks of protein. It is also a rich source of other nutrients including vitamin A (beta-carotene), a complete B vitamin complex (including biotin, choline, and folic acid), vitamin E, carotenoids, manganese, zinc, copper, iron, selenium, essential fatty acids, and essential amino acids.

Protein: 6 times more Protein than eggs. Spirulina has a very high natural protein content (up to 70%). This protein is a called complete since it has 18 of the 22 amino acids that the body needs and being organic in form, has very high digestibility (up to 97%) and superior to all standard plant protein, such as that from legumes.

Spirulina is an ideal anti-aging food: concentrated nutrient value, easily digested and loaded with antioxidants. Beta-Carotene is good for healthy eyes and vision. This all vegetable, low fat protein means we can lighten up on a meat centered diet that can aggravate arthritis and raise cholesterol. When we choose to eat less meat, protein like spirulina is a good source of more iron and essential minerals. As people age, many who don't eat enough, have restricted diets or poor digestion may experience low energy from being undernourished. Spirulina builds healthy lactobacillus, aiding assimilation and elimination and relieving constipation. Older people really notice an energy boost. In Japan, 73% of those taking spirulina are over 50 years old!

Vitamins: 100 times more Beta-Carotine (Vitamin A) than carrots. Spirulina is the richest Beta Carotene food, with a full spectrum of ten mixed carotenoids. About half are orange carotenes: alpha, beta and gamma and half are yellow xanthophylls. They work synergistically at different sites in our body to enhance antioxidant protection. Spirulina is the world's richest natural source of Vitamin A (beta-carotine) that helps to improve eyesight. Vitamin B1 (thiamine), B2 (riboflavin), B3 (nicotinamide), B5 (pantothenic acid), B6 (pyridoxine), B9 (folic acid), B12 (cobalamin the only known vegetarian source) that helps fight stress and calms nerves, inositol, biotin, folic acid, vitamin C, vitamin D, and vitamin E.

Minerals: 50 times more Iron than spinach. Anemia or iron deficiency is one of the most common health problems in the United States. Spirulina’s content of natural Iron and Folic acid helps not only to greatly improve hemoglobin levels in the blood and is 60 times more absorbable than synthetic iron present in most of the supplements. 7 times more Calcium than milk, Spirulina is one of the World's richest known sources of natural Calcium which helps build strong bones. 10 times more Potassium than most vegetables. Spirulina is also a source of boron, chromium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, molybdenum, phosphorus, selenium, sodium, and zinc. In fact, at least one laboratory study has demonstrated that the iron level in spirulina is equivalent to that contained in beef.

Phytonutrients: One stop shop for AntiOxidants. Unstable molecules called "Free Radicals" are generated in every human body as a result of normal metabolic processes. These have been linked to ailments like cancer, arthritis, cataracts, strokes, heart attacks, diabetes and premature aging. To combat these free radicals you need antioxidants like vitamins C, E, Zinc, Selenium, Super Oxide Dismutase (and SOD protects skin from the sun naturally). Spirulina is the world's richest and only natural food source of all these antioxidants. Spirulina contains many pigments including chlorophyll-a, xanthophyll, beta-carotene, echinenone, myxoxanthophyll, zeaxanthin, canthaxanthin, diatoxanthin.-hydroxyechinenone, beta-cryptoxanthin, oscillaxanthin, plus the phycobiliproteins c-phycocyanin and allophycocyanin.

Essential Fatty Acids: Spirulina is rich in Omega 3's alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), stearidonic acid (SDA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and Omega 6's gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), arachidonic acid (AA), linoleic acid (LA), and dihomogamma linolenic acid. As well as other omegas like palmitoleic, oleic, and erucic acids. GLA dissolves fat deposits, thus preventing heart problems and promoting weight loss. Known GLA foods are mothers milk and oil extracts of evening primrose, black currant and borage seeds. Many have appreciated spirulina's benefits for PMS and healthy skin.

What Are Essential Fats: Essential fats are so defined as they are vital for, but cannot be made by, the human body. Only plants can make the vital omega 3 and 6 parent fatty acids, human enzymes can then convert these to other fatty acids such as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) which are building blocks of the brain and nervous system. They are needed for the integrity of every cell membrane in the body so particularly important for the health of vital organs such as the heart and brain.

How essential fats are processed in the body: The essential fats start with the dietary omega 3 and 6 parents. They are then converted into long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids. The omega 3 parent fatty acid is called alpha linolenic acid (LNA or ALA) and comes from seeds such as flax, hemp and pumpkin, from nuts such as walnuts, and to a lesser extent from soya and green vegetables. Through a series of enzyme-controlled reactions the body converts this LNA into a number of vital fatty acids including EPA and DHA. Among their many roles EPA is needed for brain function, concentration, and vision, and is also converted into a powerful anti-inflammatory agent. DHA is needed as a building material, particularly for brain structure and so is especially important in pregnancy for the baby’s brain and nervous system development. Optimum nutritional sources of EPA and DHA come from oily fish. Fish consume these essential fats from algae then concentrate and accumulate them up the food chain. Cut out the middleman (fish) and just consume algae based EPA and DHA.

The omega 6 parent fat is called linoleic acid (LA) and is found in seeds such as hemp, flax, sunflower and sesame seed. LA is converted by the body into GLA, also found in borage, evening primrose and blackcurrant seed oils, well known for it’s anti-inflammatory properties and use in female hormone balance. LA is also converted into arachidonic acid (AA), which although is needed by the body, also acts as an inflammatory agent and in excess can contribute to inflammatory conditions such as arthritis and cardiovascular problems. AA is found in meat and dairy and often consumed in excess.

What are the functions of essential fats? Essential fats and the other fats they are converted to, have a wide range of functions in the body. They are vital for the structure of cell membranes making them flexible and able to allow nutrients into, and toxins out of cells. They also play roles in cardiovascular health, immunity, and nervous system functions.

To Optimize your omega 3 essential fatty acid levels: Have a daily intake of nuts, seeds and their omega 3, 6, and 9 oils. Include an algae drink (spirulina and/or chlorella) daily. Avoid things which inhibit conversion; alcohol, saturated and trans fats (from animal foods and processed foods), smoking, caffeine, viral infections, stress and excess intake of vitamin A and copper. Take an algae-based DHA supplement when planning a pregnancy, pregnant, or breast-feeding.

Do you need oily fish to get EPA & DHA? If you optimize your intake of essential fats, and their conversion, the majority of people can achieve good health without fish. Oily fish also has a number of drawbacks in addition to the ethical considerations. The seas are increasingly polluted and unacceptable levels of toxicity such as dioxins and PCP’s as well as mercury have often been found in fish destined for the food chain. Farmed fish is also not the answer as this unnatural method of rearing fish not only relies on a processed diet which may not convert to the same nutrients in the fish, but also requires the uses of antibiotics and other harmful agents to prevent the spread of disease. Finally if you have a health condition such as diabetes or atopic allergies or even if you are mildly stressed you may be limited in your ability to convert your own fats so you will need to consider an algae based EPA, DHA supplement like Spirulina.

Health and Healing Effects of Spirulina: Research has found that Spirulina helps prevent heart damage caused by chemotherapy and does not interfere with the chemotherapy. Tests have shown that it reduces the severity of strokes and improves the recovery of movement after the stroke. It improves memory and learning and prevents and treats hay fever. Spirulina is used effectively in detox formulations. A 2007 study involving 36 volunteers taking 4.5 grams of spirulina per day, over a six week period, displayed significant changes in cholesterol and blood pressure: (1) lowered total cholesterol; (2) increased HDL cholesterol; (3) lowered triglycerides; and (4) lowered systolic and diastolic blood pressure.

Spirulina has been used to alleviate conditions relating to allergies, anaphylaxis (severe allergic reaction), anemia. Used as an antibacterial, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiviral. Used for anxiety, atherosclerosis, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autoimmune disorders, bowel health, brain damage, cancer prevention, cancer treatment, colitis, cytomegalovirus infection, depression, digestion, energy, fatigue, fatty liver, fibromyalgia, hair loss, heart disease, herpes simplex-1 virus (HSV-1), high blood pressure, HIV, immune system enhancement, infectious disease, influenza, iron deficiency, kidney disease, lead-induced organ damage, leukemia, liver protection, measles, memory improvement, mood stimulant, mumps, obstetric and gynecological disorders, pneumonia, premenstrual syndrome, radiation-induced damage, radiation sickness, selenium deficiency, skin disorders, sodium oxalate-induced nephroxicity (kidney damage), stomach acid excess, ulcers, vitamin and nutrient deficiency, warts, wound healing, and yeast infection.

Immune Enhancement: Unique Biliproteins and Carotenoids in Spirulina strengthen the body's immune system against possible infections. Research suggests when Spirulina is taken with anti-cancer drugs, antibiotics and pain killing drugs, toxicity to the kidney can be significantly reduced and shorter recovery times may be possible. Animal and test tube studies suggest that spirulina increases production of antibodies, cytokines (infection fighting proteins), and other cells that improve immunity and help ward off infection and chronic illnesses such as cancer. Because of its apparent ability to stimulate the immune system, spirulina may have antiviral and anticancer effects.

Anemia: Studies suggest that spirulina promotes hematopoiesis (formation and development of red blood cells). This is thought to be due to the high levels of iron present in this food supplement.

Allergic Reactions: Studies suggest that spirulina may protect against allergic reactions by preventing the release of histamines (substances that contribute to allergy symptoms such as a runny nose, watery eyes, hives, and soft-tissue swelling). Although antibiotics destroy unwanted organisms in the body, they may also kill “good” bacteria called probiotics (such as Lactobacillus acidophilus) which sometimes results in diarrhea.

Infection: Studies suggest that spirulina has activity against herpes, influenza, cytomeglovirus, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Oral Cancer: In one study , 87 people who chewed tobacco and had a precancerous lesion known as leukoplakia were randomly assigned to receive Spirulina fusiformis or placebo. Lesions were significantly more likely to disappear in the spirulina group than in the placebo group.

Liver Disorders: There is some preliminary evidence that spirulina may help protect against liver damage and cirrhosis (liver failure) in those with chronic hepatitis.

Skin: Spirulina is also contained in some skin care products due to its moisturizing and tightening properties, as well as help reduce inflammation. Spirulina powder makes an excellent hydrating mask. p>

Is spirulina recommended for pregnant mothers, infants and children? Yes, its a perfect supplement. Iron deficiency anemia in mothers and children is the most prevalent nutritional disorder. Pregnant women can use spirulina's vegetable protein and bioavailable iron. In India and Vietnam, doctors prescribe spirulina for pregnant and nursing mothers and their infants. Parents are often surprised how much their children enjoy this green food. Kids like to suck on tablets and munch spirulina covered popcorn.

Is spirulina good for pets and other animals? Walk into any pet store and you'll find it's a popular supplement for fish, birds and pets. In fact, much of the global spirulina production is consumed by aquaculture raised fish and prawns, tropical fish, ornamental birds, horses and even cats and dogs. Today, spirulina is in most premium aquarium feeds. Ornamental bird breeders use it to enhance color, health and fertility. In reptiles, it improves skin gloss and disease resistance. For thoroughbred racehorses, it improves speed and recovery. If you give spirulina to your dog or cat, you'll notice healthier skin, more lustrous coat and fresher breath, older animals may regain flexibility.

Dosage: How much should people take and when should they take? Long time consumers and scientific evidence both suggest 2-5 grams (2000 to 5000 mg) a day bring significant health benefits. Take it every day for best results. Because spirulina is a whole food, you can take it alone or with meals.

Adults (18 years and older): Typically taken by mouth twice to three times daily with meals in doses of 1-1.4 grams for diabetes mellitus (type 2), high cholesterol, or oral leukoplakia (precancerous mouth lesions). For weight loss, 200 milligrams of spirulina tablets by mouth three times daily, taken just before eating.

Children (under 18 years old), depending on health, 500 mg daily.

Safety: Spirulina contains phenylalanine, which should be avoided by people who have the metabolic disorder phenylketonuria, where the body cannot metabolize this amino acid, and it builds up in the brain, causing damage. Because spirulina is a dietary supplement, the United States Food and Drug Administration does not regulate the production and quality of the product. Although rare, cyanobacteria like spirulina may contain toxins called microcystins, which accumulate in the liver and can potentially cause cancer or other liver diseases. Currently, only a Certified Organic spirulina is recommended. And you should speak with a qualified healthcare provider before starting a new therapy. Consult a healthcare provider immediately if you experience side effects.

"I take three to five 550mg capsules with every meal. To loose weight, I additonally mix spirulina into ORAC Energy Greens (ration: 1 cup of spirulina to 3 cups of greens) because it’s such an excellent source of nutrition and helps keep blood sugar level. When your blood sugar is too high or low, fluid is pulled from around your eyes. This promotes macular degeneration and presbiopia. And if blood sugar is kept level, one doesn’t crave sweets or experience hyper or hypoglycemia. I have also found that if I can keep my blood sugar level, and don’t experience hot flashes due to hormone surges." Trish Seaward, CN, CET