Learn how Spirulina Benefits your Health with Protein!   by JC Shaw

in Health / Supplements and Vitamins    (submitted 2010-11-21)

Looking for a source of protein that is earth-friendly, healthy, low-fat, no cholesterol, and easy for your body to digest? Think about adding the wonder food Spirulina to your diet.

What is Spirulina? Spirulina is a microscopic type of blue-green algae that grows in fresh-water all over the world. For decades, spirulina has been promoted as a "Super Foods" and "The Best Food for the Future" because it is amazingly efficient at providing nutrients for a well-balanced diet. Even the United Nations World Food Conference has recommended its use as a sustainable food supply and to battle malnutrition.

Spirulina is packed full of nutrients our body needs: Vitamins, Minerals, Proteins, Fatty Acids and Carotenoids. However, we'll just be taking a look at how spirulina benefits your body by providing a ready-source of protein.

What exactly is protein anyway? Proteins are crucial components of all living things. For humans, they form the building blocks of our cells and tissues which in turn make up our organs, muscles, skin, hair, blood, along with many other things in our body.

They also help out with how our bodies function by making up hormones, neurotransmitters, enzymes, and antibodies. In order for your body to heal itself and grow you need a constant supply of new protein from your what you eat.

Relative to other common sources of protein such as meat, eggs, nuts, and soybeans, spirulina protein content is much higher at a whopping 65% pure protein! In addition, this protein comes in a form that is easily digestible by the human body.

Spirulina is also regarded as a complete protein which means it contains all the essential amino acids necessary for a well-balanced human diet. Here essential means that these amino acids can not be made by our bodies and therefore must be supplemented through what we eat.

There are nine of these essential amino acids and spirulina possesses all of them as well as nine more non-essential amino acids.

Spirulina provides all the essential types of protein your body needs to grow and function in an easily digestible form, but without the extra calories and cholesterol found in other typical protein sources. Learn more about how spirulina benefits your body as a source of protein, how spirulina delivers a host of other important nutrients, and how to select the best supplier for your spirulina.

About the Author

JC Shaw is a self-described Health Food Nut! He attributes much of his happiness and health in life to his diet. When not savoring his food, JC practices yoga and swims at the local pool.