• Concentrated Green Superfood.
• Protein and Amino Acids.
• Vitamins - Protectors of Health.
• Naturally Colloidal Minerals.
• Essential Fatty Acids.
• Phytonutrients.
• Comparing Green Superfoods.
  

Humans require a dietary source of essential fatty acids (EFA). They promote cholesterol normalization and are precursors for hormones, called prostaglandins. Spirulina has 4 to 7% lipids, or fats, and most of these are essential fatty acids. Ten grams have 225 mg of EFA in the form of linoleic and gamma-linolenic acid (GLA). The DV for an adult is a minimum EFA intake of 1% of total calories. Ten grams provide 8 to 14% DV, depending on sex and age group.7

GLA is the precursor to the body's prostaglandins - master hormones that control many functions. Dietary saturated fats and alcohol can cause in GLA deficiency and suppressed prostaglandin formation. Studies show GLA deficiency figures in many diseases and health problems, so a food source of GLA can be important.

The only other known sources of dietary GLA are mother's milk and oil extracts of evening primrose, black currant and borage seeds. Spirulina is a concentrated source of GLA, and a 10 gram serving has 135 mg. As a comparison, a daily dose of 500 mg of evening primrose oil has 45 mg. GLA comprises about 20 to 25% of the lipid fraction of spirulina, compared to only 9% for evening primrose oil.

These functional nutrients have no published Recommended Daily Value, but are known to benefit health. They include glyco-lipids, polysaccharides, pigments and other growth factors.

A rainbow of natural pigments
Pigments help synthesize many enzymes necessary for regulating the body's metabolism. Spirulina's very dark color comes from these natural pigments which harvest different wave lengths of sunlight.

Phycocyanin ('algae-blue')
The most important pigment in spirulina, this protein complex is about 14% of the entire weight. Phycocyanin evolved a billion years before chlorophyll and may be the precursor to chlorophyll and hemoglobin. It has both magnesium and iron in its molecular formation, and therefore, phycocyanin may be the origin of life common to both plants and animals.12 Research shown in Chapter 4 suggests it stimulates the immune system.

Chlorophyll (nature's green magic)

The common feature of green foods is their high chlorophyll content. Chlorophyll is known as a cleansing and detoxifying phytonutrient. Sometimes called 'green blood' because it looks like the hemoglobin molecule in human blood. Chlorophyll has a magnesium ion at its core, giving it a green color, and hemoglobin has iron, giving it a red color.11 Spirulina's beneficial effect on anemia could be due to this similarity of chlorophyll and hemoglobin and its high bioavailable iron. Spirulina has 1% chlorophyll, one of nature's highest levels, and has the highest chlorophyll-a level. Chlorella has 2 to 3%, mostly chlorophyll-b.

Carotenoids (natural antioxidants)
About half of these yellow/orange pigments in spirulina are carotenes: Alpha, Beta and Gamma. About half are xanthophylls: Myxoxanthophyll, Zeaxanthin, Cryptoxanthin, Echinenone, Fuco-xanthin, Violaxanthin and Astaxanthin. Total mixed carotenoids make up 0.37% of spirulina. Although beta carotene is best known, this mixed carotenoid complex functions at different sites in the body and works synergistically to enhance antioxidant protection.

Polysaccharides
Spirulina contains only 15 to 25% carbohydrate and sugar. The primary forms of carbohydrates are rhamnose and glycogen, two polysaccharides which are easily absorbed by the body with minimum insulin intervention. Spirulina offers quick energy, without taxing the pancreas or precipitating hypoglycemia.10

Glycolipids and Sulfolipids
When the NCI announced that sulfolipids in blue-green algae were 'remarkably active' against the AIDS virus, attention was focused on the sulfolipid containing glycolipids (see Chapter 4). The three classes of lipids in spirulina are called neutral lipids, glycolipids and phospholipids. Glycolipids are 40% of the lipids, and contain sulfolipids. Sulfolipids in spirulina range from 2-5% of the total lipids.8,9

Enzymes
Enzymes are catalysts for chemical changes. There are thousands of enzymes, each catalyzing specific reactions. Dried spirulina contains a number of enzymes. One is superoxide dismutase (SOD), important in quenching free radicals and in retarding aging. SOD enzyme activity ranging from 10,000 to 37,500 units per ten grams has been found in spirulina powder from Earthrise Farms.

Today more people understand the need for green vegetables than 20 years ago. Even fast food restaurants have installed salad bars. At the same time, there is growing concern with the quality of foods and vegetables grown on mineral depleted soils.

Green superfoods go beyond green vegetables because they are packed with beneficial nutrients. They go beyond isolated vitamin and mineral supplements, because as whole foods they are rich in functional nutrients and phytonutrients. Research reports link the phytonutrient, antioxidant and protective substances in plant foods with the prevention of degenerative diseases. This publicity has stimulated the greening of supplements with green superfoods.

Nutrient dense green superfoods are often consumed as tablets or capsules or by mixing powder in drinks. These ideal fast foods pick up your energy level, especially if you do not have time to eat the recommended 4 to 9 servings of fresh fruits and vegetables every day.

Green superfood supplements have become increasingly popular in the last 15 years. Spirulina and chlorella are specially cultivated algae. Aphanizomenon flos-aquae (referred to as 'blue-green algae') is harvested from a lake in Oregon. Barley grass and wheat grass are two superfoods from cultivated young cereal plants, harvested before they become grains. All five chlorophyll-rich foods are specially harvested to maximize purity, potency and quality.

How do they compare? Comparing price, aphanizomenon blue-green algae is the most expensive, followed by chlorella. Spirulina powder and tablets are less expensive, and barley grass and wheat grass powder and tablets are the least costly. Comparing nutrients, data provided by manufacturers is shown on the next page for a 10 gram serving.

Algae and grasses are the foundation of life on Earth, harvesting sunlight. Their deep green color glows with the vitality from the rainbow of natural pigments which power, protect and cleanse them while they grow. These natural foods will nourish, energize and cleanse your body naturally. Eating just a little of these concentrated green foods every day will benefit your health. Eating lower on the food chain will benefit the health of our planet.