Spirulina: The Complete Plant Based Protein Source | Health Benefits

18 May 2021

Spirulina is one of the oldest life forms on earth known for the longest as an endurance booster.

It is in fact among the most popular health supplements in today’s time considering it is one of the first plant-based foods in the human diet. Surprising right?

But what actually makes this ingredient a star among the ‘complete protein’ plant-based food sources? And does it even stand up to the fame it receives?

Well, here’s our effort to give you evidence around spirulina’s health benefits and the status it holds.

Spirulina: The Nutrient-Dense Food

Spirulina happens to be a superfood high in many nutrients.

Let’s have a look at its origin?

A type of cyanobacteria, originally from the family of single-celled microbes known as the blue-green algae. This is an organism that grows both in fresh and saltwater

What makes it plant-based is its ability to produce energy from sunlight through photosynthesis.

Lesser-Known Fact:

Spirulina gained massive popularity when NASA used it as a dietary supplement for astronauts on space missions. Really cool right?

It has to be its ability to regulate immune functions and its anti-inflammatory properties which take place by the release of histamine by mast cells.

What about the ideal dosage?

One can opt for a standard dose of 1-3g of this green superfood but this can go up to 10g per day. Here’s a look at the nutrient profile of 10g of dried spirulina powder:

Protein: 5.7 g

Vitamin B1 (thiamine): 22% of the RDA

Vitamin B2 (riboflavin): 33% of the RDA

Vitamin B3 (niacin): 9% of the RDA

Copper: 68% of the RDA

Iron: 15-16% of the RDA

Calories: 29

Carbs: 2.0g

Moreover, this superfood actually includes almost some amount of every other nutrient that you need along with an optimal amount of magnesium, potassium, and manganese.

Here’s a suggestion! If you are looking to skip eggs, spirulina could be a great replacement for a comparable amount of protein considering it also has all essential amino acids required by the body.

Spirulina: The Powerful Antioxidant With Anti-Inflammatory Properties

As we mentioned earlier, it is because of the anti-inflammatory properties that even NASA considered it as a superfood for astronauts.

Here’s what you need to know!

Chronic inflammation happens as oxidative damage harms our DNA and cells, resulting in diseases sometimes as lethal as cancer.

The presence of antioxidants in spirulina help protect against this oxidative damage.

Interesting fact:

The antioxidant substance ‘phycocyanin’ happens to be the main component and gives spirulina the unique blue-green color.

Health Impact Of Spirulina:

A lot of people are using this superfood that can improve heart health further reducing risks of heart diseases.

For those of you who aren’t aware of its powerful health benefits, studies on spirulina have shown that it lowers “bad” LDL cholesterol and Triglyceride Levels. It also increases “good” HDL cholesterol impacting heart health in a positive way.

Let us provide scientific evidence to build your trust-

Although most studies have shown favorable results mainly with a dosage of 4.5-8g per day yet,

A study was conducted on 25 people who were suffering from type 2 diabetes. It was later discovered that only 2g of spirulina per day, significantly showed a reduction in the blood sugar levels.

There was another study on people with high cholesterol which determined that 1 g of spirulina per day resulted in lowered triglycerides by 16.3%. Furthermore, there was a reduction in the “bad” LDL by 10.1%.

In addition, research has shown that spirulina may have anti-cancer properties and is especially effective against a type of precancerous lesion of the mouth called OSMF.

Spirulina May Improve Muscle Strength & Endurance:

Often experience muscle fatigue when exercising? The reason is exercise-induced oxidative damage.

People into fitness and athletics consume plant-based foods with antioxidants to minimize this damage.

Few studies emerged showing spirulina as food for significantly reducing the fatigue time and improving muscle strength and endurance.

Can Spirulina Reduce Blood Pressure?

Heart attack, strokes, and chronic kidney disease are some of the serious diseases driven by high blood pressure. An optimal amount of spirulina for e.g. 4.5g-8g per day has shown to reduce blood pressure in individuals with normal levels.

What might be the possible reason behind this reduction in blood pressure?

Spirulina leads to an increase in the production of nitric oxide (that is otherwise massively produced by plant-based sources like beetroot which are rich in nitrates that convert to nitric oxide) leading to a lowered blood pressure.

Nitric oxide is a signaling molecule that aids blood vessels to relax and dilate, positively affecting blood levels.

The Final Verdict:

Spirulina’s title as a superfood that is ‘nutrient-dense stands true along with the crazy health benefits it has to offer.

As mentioned above, spirulina suppresses oxidation while reducing blood pressure and lowering blood sugar. It also improves blood lipids and may have anti-cancer properties.

One can simply consume spirulina in tablets and powder form. There are supplements widely available and used for their amazing health benefits.

If you want the goodness of spirulina along with other green vitamins then you can check out bGreen’s super greens and fruits that help you bridge the daily gap in your nutrition.

Read Also:

Content Rally

Content Rally wrapped around an online publication where you can publish your own intellectuals. It is a publishing platform designed to make great stories by content creators. This is your era, your place to be online. So come forward share your views, thoughts and ideas via Content Rally.

View all posts

Oral Health: A Window To Your Overall Health

Oral health is quite a serious issue globally, and millions of people are suffering from oral disease. Your mouth is the point of origin of various fatal diseases of the body. Therefore keeping comprehensive oral health is a must. -Do you have complexities with oral health? Then this article is the right place for you. The food starts its digestion right from the mouth. Oral health is an important thing associated with holistic care. It is found in the United States that lack of health care and awareness of oral health leads to an increase in tooth decay, heart disease and immunity issues, and others. Therefore one can never take it lightly. The particular article stresses oral health in relation to overall health. What Is Oral Health? The mouth is the birthplace of bacteria, and it can affect the teeth and digestive system. Oral hygiene is the practice of keeping one's teeth and mouth clean and free from disease. You must brush your teeth twice, after getting up from bed in the morning and before bed. It is important that you keep track of your oral health and avoid different diseases. Oral health is a long-term complexity, and one needs to take care of it and denote enough time. They also need to take expert advice. The Relation Share Between Oral Health And Overall Health Your mouth is the entry point of your digestive system. It partners with bacteria, but some of them are indeed harmful to your mouth, and they attack your teeth. These bacteria can cause diseases. Normally the defense system is good oral care. Therefore the physician prescribes brushing twice daily if you do not take enough care of your teeth, which can lead to oral infections like gum disease and tooth decay. Some studies claim that oral bacteria and inflammation are associated with severe gum disease. They play an important role in the development of certain diseases like diabetes and even HIV/AIDS. They lower the resistance power of the body and cause infection. This way, your oral problems aggravate. To learn more about how oral health is connected to overall health, you can find valuable information on this website. It's important to prioritize oral hygiene as a key component of your overall health and well-being. So if you have some complexities, you need to visit an experienced dentist. You can visit the website to learn more about it. Conditions That Can Be Linked To Oral Health There are certain conditions that seriously contribute to various diseases and conditions. We discuss some of them here. 1. Endocarditis The chambers of the valves can be infected as bacteria or other germs from different parts of the body, like the mouth, spread through the bloodstream. These conditions increase the complexity of your heart. The fault can affect your oral health in such a case. Therefore, you need to focus on oral care. It can help you stop these complexities. 2. Cardiovascular Disease The connection is not fully understood, but some physicians suggest that strokes and clogged arteries have a relationship with inflammation and infections that are caused by oral bacteria. The ideas require further studies and inference. But the fact of the matter is that heart disease has links with oral care. 3. Osteoporosis In this condition, the bone starts weakening. You can also observe tooth loss at an unusual age. There are certain drugs that are used to treat osteoporosis that carry with them the risk of damaging the bones of the jaw. 4. Hiv/Aids The full form of the disease is Acquired ImmunoDeficiency Syndrome. The people infected with this disease are also seen grappling with oral problems like mucosal lesions. 5. Alzheimer's Disease Physicians are finding out the relationship between Alzheimer's disease and oral health. Other than this, the other conditions that might be linked with oral health include rheumatoid arthritis, eating disorders, some other oral disease, and even chronic conditions like diabetes. What you need to focus on is working continuously on your oral problems. They can indeed be great for you in the long term as well as the short term. How To Maintain Your Oral Health Oral health care involves a set of different practices. It can help you fight out your negatives and stay healthy throughout your life. Here we discuss some ways to manage to take care of your teeth. A. Brush Properly You have to brush properly. Give enough time to your teeth. Pick a brush with soft bristles and gently rub over your teeth from top to bottom in a circular motion so that it cleans bacteria away. B. Tongue Care Do not neglect your tongue, and wash your tongue regularly. It can help you fight your oral disease. Please remember that a bad mouth is an embarrassment in a public place. Most importantly, it's a sign of unhealthy teeth and gum. C. Use Toothpaste With Fluoride. You can get countless toothpaste in the market, but all of them might not be good enough. What you need to focus on is selecting the toothpaste that contains fluoride. They can indeed be effective for your teeth. D. Flossing Is Equally Important. Flossing is also important in tooth care. You can not neglect it under any circumstances. Flossing allows you to get the food stitched between your teeth and gums out. Your teeth are a vital body part, and you must work continuously to make them germ-free. E. Considering Mouthwash The best practice you can have is mouth washing after you eat anything. But this is not that easy to implement practically. Therefore what you can do is use quality mouthwash. Consult experts and select a quality mouthwash. It can help clear the germs out of your mouth. Putting The Discussion To A Close It can be understood that oral health is indeed an important aspect of the overall health of the body. So you have to take precautions for comprehensive care associated with oral health. It can help you stay healthy and stop you from developing diseases. They not only help your mouth to be clean and fresh but also stops the development of serious disease. Start yourself with simple steps, brushing your teeth twice daily. There is nothing better than this. You can use some other products like mouth washing liquids to keep your teeth clean and healthy. Therefore go for comprehensive care of your health and start with oral health. Let this be the mantra of life. Read Also: Is It Healthier To Have Dentures? E-Cigarettes: How They Effect On Your Oral Health The Relationship Between Oral Health and General Health

What You Can Do About Premature Ejaculation

Premature ejaculation, though a common condition in the male population, incites much concern and fear, especially if it transpires quite periodically. Instead of going through unverified channels to purchase cheap yet health-hazardous products, get priligy in the UK and follow these steps in dealing with PE. Premature ejaculation can also result from a lack of confidence arising out of the size and shape of your penis. It is exactly because of this reason that experts recommend that men who are conscious of their penis size should look at taking help from scientifically proven penis straighteners. If you want to know more about the products, please visit- https://jesextender.com/penis-straightener/. How To Deal With Premature Ejaculation: 1. How’s Are Your Stress Levels? Stress is often the cause of premature ejaculation in most. Yet it is the factor given the least attention. Mental stressors, as well as those similar to these, will prevent you from relaxing during coitus. It may sound ironic, that your blood vessels need to be relaxed in sexual intercourse. But biological observations show that the blood vessels connecting your bodily systems towards the reproductive system (i.e. CNS, cardiovascular system), along with the blood passageways in and around the penis, are greatly in control of erection and ejaculation. Of course, this is not to downplay the role of your central nervous system, where it all begins. We set this as number 1 on this list because it’s the variable that permits you the most control over, managing PE. Manage your stress. Commonly, stress has to do with heavy workloads and little rest or little sleep. Try to create a schedule (and working habits for efficiency) that will have you operating at your optimum without “overworking”, whilst leaving you with at least 7 hours of sleep every night. That is, amongst the rest of the leisurely activities in your day today (i.e. time with your family, etc.). You may immediately notice that after sticking to this new “balanced” schedule, PE, along with your prescribed PE medications, will appear less frequently. Plus, stress management is beneficial for your overall well-being, too. 2. Decreasing Sensitivity Of The Penis In Coitus: This isn’t the most conventional of the approaches towards moderating the occurrence of premature ejaculation. However, decreasing the sensitivity of the penis through the use of condoms has been proven effective for a number of patients. Penile sensitivity is not the root cause of premature ejaculation. But it is one of the minor factors. Note that the major root causes have to do with neurotransmitter blockage, blood, and blood vessel occlusion, and decreased capacity of the reproductive system (and its organs) to respond accordingly, from arousal to ejaculation. Then again, one of the most practical steps you may try to observe is wearing a condom. It isn’t fool-proof. Condoms are made so that they do not stand in the way of allowing sensory components to be activated around the penis, as close to when it does, when there isn’t a condom around it. In contrast, it still very lightly hampers sensation. A fraction, to say the least. While taking prescribed premature erection medication, it will be beneficial to be in the habit of wearing a condom during coitus, to aid the first. 3. Erectile Dysfunction Medication Is NOT Premature Ejaculation Medication: Though both treat male-targeted disorders, their functions are different from one another (as are ED against PE). If you also suffer from erectile dysfunction and have started undergoing treatment through ED medication, go to your telehealth physician and inquire about a prescription for PE as well. Your physician will then understand what treatment to prescribe, as ED medication may prompt the frequency of PE. The first has to do with causing an erection for a period as close to average as possible, enough for coitus. Hence, there’s some sort of delay in the process which may be what’s causing your PE. Be sure to get a diagnosis for both. Read Also: What You Need to Know When Having Gallstone Surgery 9 Ways Allergists Deal with their Own Allergies

10 Hidden Dangers Of DIY Pest Control

In the never-ending battle against household pests, many homeowners are tempted by the allure of do-it-yourself (DIY) pest control methods. At first glance, these DIY solutions seem to offer a quick, easy, and economical way to manage pest problems. However, this surface-level appeal masks a variety of hidden dangers. Beyond the immediate risks associated with mishandling chemicals or traps, there are significant long-term implications to consider. Ineffective pest management can lead to recurring infestations, structural damages, and even health hazards. Professional preventive pest control is a crucial strategy for keeping our homes safe and pest-free, so if you’re considering taking matters into your own hands instead of trusting in the professionals, you must understand the risks and limitations of DIY approaches. This article will explore the ten hidden dangers of DIY pest control, highlighting why professional intervention is often safer and more practical. Misidentification Of Pests One of the most common and critical errors in DIY pest control is the misidentification of pest species. This mistake can lead to the application of ineffective treatments, wasting time and resources. For example, what eliminates an ant infestation might have no impact on termites. Misidentification also means missing out on crucial knowledge about the pest's lifecycle, behavior, and habitat, which is essential for adequate control. Moreover, using the wrong treatment can exacerbate the problem by allowing the pest population to grow unchecked, leading to a more severe infestation than was initially present. Improper Use Of Chemicals The dangers of improper chemical use in DIY pest control cannot be overstated. These chemicals can pose severe health risks, including respiratory problems, skin irritation, and potentially long-term health consequences if not handled correctly. Over-application or incorrect usage can lead to environmental contamination, affecting non-target wildlife and potentially polluting water sources. The lack of professional training in handling these substances can lead to accidents that could have been avoided with expert help. Risk Of Incomplete Eradication DIY pest control methods often result in incomplete eradication of the pest population. Without thorough elimination, surviving pests continue to breed, resulting in the infestation's resurgence. Incomplete treatment fails to address the root cause of the problem, whether it be entry points, food sources, or breeding grounds, resulting in a recurring cycle of infestation and treatment. This prolongs the problem and can lead to increased pest resistance over time, making future eradication efforts more challenging. Potential Structural Damage Certain pests, such as termites and carpenter ants, pose a significant threat to the structural integrity of homes. DIY methods may fail to fully eradicate these pests, leading to unseen damage that can compromise the stability and safety of a building. This oversight can result in costly repairs and long-term structural issues, far exceeding the costs of professional pest control services. The hidden nature of this damage often means it goes unnoticed until it becomes a major, costly problem. Safety Hazards The safety risks associated with DIY pest control are diverse and significant. Handling pesticides and other chemicals without proper knowledge or protective gear can lead to accidental exposure, posing severe health risks. Additionally, specific pest control methods, such as foggers or heat treatments, carry risks of fire or explosions if not handled correctly. These hazards include the individual performing the treatment, other residents, and neighboring properties. Legal And Regulatory Issues Pesticide use is regulated by laws that DIY practitioners might unknowingly violate. Non-compliance with these regulations can lead to legal troubles, including fines and penalties. Additionally, DIY pest control efforts can inadvertently affect neighboring properties, potentially leading to disputes or legal complications, significantly if harmful chemicals are misused or applied in a manner that violates local regulations. Ignorance Of Integrated Pest Management Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is a comprehensive approach to professional use that focuses on long-term prevention and minimal chemical usage. DIY methods often overlook this holistic approach, favoring immediate but short-term solutions. IPM considers the bigger ecological picture and long-term pest prevention, which DIY efforts often miss. This ignorance can lead to repeated infestations and an overreliance on chemical treatments rather than addressing underlying causes and sustainable solutions. Overreliance On Single Methods DIY pest control often relies on a single method or product, which may not be effective for all types of pests or infestations. Professional pest control, however, typically involves a combination of methods tailored to the specific pest and situation. This multifaceted approach ensures a higher success rate and more comprehensive control of the pest problem. DIY solutions, by contrast, might offer a temporary fix but fail to address the infestation in its entirety. The Stress And Time Factor Dealing with pests can be a stressful and time-consuming endeavor, especially when DIY methods fail to resolve the problem effectively. The emotional toll of facing a persistent pest problem and the effort and time required to apply DIY treatments can be overwhelming for homeowners. This stress is compounded by the uncertainty of the effectiveness of these treatments and the constant vigilance required to monitor their success. Potential For Worsening The Problem Incorrect or inadequate DIY pest control treatments can cause pests to scatter and spread, potentially worsening the infestation. In addition, pests can develop resistance to chemicals, particularly when misused or in sub-lethal doses. This resistance can make future control efforts more complex and less effective, leading to an ongoing battle against an increasingly resilient pest population. Conclusion While appealing for its perceived immediacy and cost savings, DIY pest control carries significant and multifaceted hidden dangers. From health risks to potential structural damage, legal issues, and the psychological burden of dealing with persistent pests, the complications associated with DIY methods can far outweigh their initial appeal. When considering pest control options, weigh these risks against professional pest control services' expertise, safety, and long-term effectiveness. In the realm of pest management, informed, cautious, and professional intervention is often the key to ensuring a safe, effective, and lasting solution. Read Also : What You Should Expect From A Pest Control Visit 5 Summer Garden Maintenance Tips And Tactics You Have To Know

Spirulina: The Complete Plant Based Protein Source | Health Benefits