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.

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Top 6 Advantages Of Living With An Ostomy Bag

An ostomy bag is generally a small, waterproof bag that is useful in accumulating waste from our bodies. At the time of surgical approach which is also known as a colostomy, which is an opening, known as ostomy or stoma, established between the colon and the wall of the abdominal. An ostomy is obligatory due to various reasons such as cancer, defects at times of birth, bowel disease, and various other medical situations. Ostomy is also requisite when acute pelvic and abdominal damage arises either due to accidents or from wounds that remained at times of military service. You can also refer to the ostomy bag at ConvaTec for the best ostomy bags. However, Now let us discuss the advantages of ostomy bags. 1. Its Size: They are small in size and fit easily into women’s purses or an inner jacket or a man's pocket. You have to keep in mind that you anyway keep a pair of additional ones when you go out for parties or any other place. 2. Fast And Easy Life: If you are living your life with an ostomy, your bathroom fits well, is easy, and is faster to use anywhere you go. By using an ostomy bag your life becomes easy and in this way, you can go outside without endangering your skin. 3. No Chance Of Leakage: After using the ostomy bags there will be no risk of leakage or any odors leaking out from the secure and closed ostomy bag as it is sealed and closed completely. So using an Ostomy bag is beneficial to use. 4. Travelling Become Easy: While you are traveling via road or by train you can change if there is a requirement for it. Although for a little time your family members and kids have to bear some smell, at this time they should open their windows for some time and the odor would vanish. The removal and disposal process is just a cup of tea once one has mastered the changing of one’s bag. While traveling large bags are the most suitable ones. 5. Fewer Accidents: When one’s Crohn’s gets severe, one had to the bathroom 30 or more 30 times a day, and due to this one can get prone to accidents. So, at this time one should prefer ostomy it can solve the problem and one need not run continuously to the bathroom. 6. No More Running To The Bathroom: A bit you will suffer a feeling of a rush when you allow your pouch to fill much. Then you will feel less worried. One time you will understand how an ostomy bag works then you don't have to worry about the bathroom problems that you are facing. Adapting to colostomy is not a cup of tea. But nothing is impossible with an optimistic mindset one can deal with it. If you are dealing with an ostomy, one needs to know every detail such as which bag is best and every single detail. The above points would give you the details and would set your mindset for ostomy clearing all your doubts. So refer to the above advantages as to why ostomy bags are necessary. Read Also: Why Are People Turning To Online Pharmacists? Seeking a Healthy Career: 10 Tempting Medical Careers to Check Out

Available Treatment Options for Cocaine Addiction

Cocaine in itself is a dangerous drug if taken for a long time, it becomes more dreadful when the drug dealers mixed it with other opioids to enhance its effects. If you don’t know about such illegal mixing, the overdose of the drug may be fatal, which is becoming common nowadays. It’s a common belief that it’s hard to combat cocaine addiction as compared to the other drug addiction that is not true in all cases. Still, the research studies are undergoing to find out the best and authentic treatment for cocaine addiction, as there are no registered medications by the FDA to treat such kind of addiction, but there are other therapies available like behavioral therapy, group counseling, etc. special treatments are still underway for the cocaine addiction due to the availability of the limited resources. Outpatient Treatment Facility The outpatient treatment setting is arranged for those cocaine abusers who cannot stay in the rehab center. While they are allowed to stay at home or in a community area during the period of their treatment, where they have scheduled visits to a rehab facility for treatment like individual or group therapies. The treatment varies from person to person, so you may require to visit the center once or twice a week for around six hours in one sitting. The duration of outpatient treatment may last from weeks to even months with gradual recovery progress. Inpatient Treatment Facility The inpatient facilities are not equivalent to the hospital but basic addiction recovery treatments are available there. Infinite Detox Austin provides settings that offer pharmacological treatment, mental and social support, occupational support, etc. this type of recovery program mostly lasts for about six months. For simple cocaine abusers, detoxification and other short-term treatments are enough, but for chronic cocaine addiction along with comorbidities inpatient rehab centers are preferable. This kind of individual-based one-to-one therapeutic program is helpful for you to regain the body equilibrium before going back to the hometown. Recognized Treatment or Therapy Methodologies 1. Contingency Management This approach is related to the management of high-risk situations and can be used in several types of treatment settings. During this therapy, individuals are rewarded for not using the drug. This is used to formulate the ability of each patient to deal with the drug cravings and the root cause behind them. This treatment is found to be a realistic and auspicious one. 2. Cognitive-behavioral Therapy This therapy approaches change the behavior of the individual towards the use of the drug and force him/her to develop new plans to cope up with the ongoing treatment. This may be done in group settings or on an individual basis at both inpatient and outpatient recovery programs. This approach may include gaining knowledge about new methods to handle the drug cravings, suicidal thoughts, and lethal withdrawal symptoms, which may lead you towards relapse. 3. Matrix Model This model is based on the principle of self-discipline, which involves features of many other treatment approaches, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, contingency management, and 12-step programs, etc. This model includes emotional support, personal counseling sessions, and family education. It is seen as a proven treatment of addiction so it gets a lot of attention in society. 4. Medication-assisted Treatment (MAT) Pharmacological therapy is used to provide you with the prescribed medications to combat drug usage. This method is still under consideration especially in the case of opioid addiction as the trials for cocaine abuse have not all been steadily efficacious and have not been extensively studied. However, if effective medications are developed for long-term use then MAT would become the most demanding and essential treatment option. Read Also: Are You Sick and Tired of Drugs? 4 Tips to Find an Effective Drug Therapy Cannabis can Help in the Fight Against Drug Addiction Four Effective Things To Recover From Heroin & Drug Addiction Treatment

An Ultimate Wall Pilates Free Workout Plan for Beginners

To start your Pilates workout, all you need is a wall. With wall Pilates free workout, you can blend traditional Pilates with home exercise. This workout can be helpful for you whether you are a beginner in Pilates or have been practicing Pilates for a few years. Consider starting out with wall Pilates if you want to transform your fitness journey. In this article, you will get a Wall Pilates workout plan. Apart from that, you will also get a general overview of what a wall Pilates exercise is as well as its benefits. Moreover, this article will also set a Wall Pilates free workout plan. Finally, you will also get essential tips to perform this exercise. Hence, to learn more, read on to the end of the article. What is Wall Pilates? Wall Pilates is a form of Pilates training. It is a low-impact exercise where you have to use a wall for support and resistance. Basically, the wall provides support for your back, shoulder, and hips. Hence, you can use it as a resistance to perform exercise. Generally, when you perform traditional Pilates, you have to exercise on a mat or a reformer machine. Here, you use your body weight or the machine for resistance. However, with wall Pilates, you press your body and its parts against a wall. You make movements by exerting force on the wall and by using it as a support. Actually, in this exercise, you have to do the same repetitive movements that you practice during a mat. Some examples of wall Pilates are single-leg stretch, criss-cross, the hundred, etc. Benefits of Wall Pilates Free Hand Exercises The following are some of the major benefits of Wall Pilates that you must: By performing wall Pilates daily, you can strengthen your core muscles. As a result, this will help you prevent injuries and maintain a good posture. With time, you will improve your flexibility with wall Pilates. Additionally, it also helps you to improve your coordination and balance. As you are using a wall for your support, the stable surface can help you maintain the right form. Thereby, with time, you will get a better spinal alignment, which will ensure a lower risk of injury. With wall Pilates, you engage your full body for the exercise. This way, you can target all muscle areas of the body. Moreover, Wall Pilates free hand exercises are also effective in reducing blood pressure. Hence, if you do it regularly, you lower your risk of heart attacks and strokes. Wall Pilates also involves mindful movement, which can help you work on your mental health. People of all ages and fitness levels can perform wall pilates. This is because it is a low-impact exercise. Apart from all these benefits, one of the biggest factors to consider Wall Pilates is that it is a budget-friendly exercise. All you require here is a wall. Who is Wall Pilates Good for? Since Wall Pilates is a low-impact exercise, it will not be physically demanding and exhausting. Hence, this form of exercise is good for people of all ages and fitness levels. Moreover, this exercise is also good for pregnant and injured people. Furthermore, if you are someone who finds it difficult to lie on your back, you can even do Wall Pilates. Generally, traditional Pilates, like mat or reformer Pilates, are difficult to perform. This is especially true for people who have physiological issues or injuries. Hence, if you want to perform a light exercise to stay fit, Wall Pilates is one of the best options to consider. 15-Minute Wall Pilates Free Hand Workout To start a Wall Pilates workout, you need an open wall and a yoga mat. Here are the steps you must follow to perform your Wall Pilates workout: Start your warmup with a Cat-Cow pose and Thread-the-Needle stretch. Warm up for 2-3 minutes. Once you complete your warmup, start your wall Pilates exercise. Here, make sure to have consistency with the reps for each move. Once you complete the five Pilates exercises, repeat the circuit twice more. The next section consists of 5 back-to-back exercises that you must perform in each circuit. 5 Wall Pilates Free Hand Exercises Here are the Wall Pilates exercises you must perform to complete each circuit: 1. Single-Leg Knee Crunch The following are the steps to follow if you want to perform a single-leg knee crunch: Sit one foot away from the wall. Then, lie down on your back. After that, place your feet on the wall so that your legs look like a tabletop, horizontally. Stretch your left leg diagonally so that your toes are just touching the wall. Then, extend your arms over your head. Meanwhile, be sure to press your lower back into the floor. This way, you can engage your core. Pull your left knee toward your chest and curl your shoulders, hands, and your head towards your core. Then, slowly, go back to the initial position. Repeat these fifteen times to complete one set. 2. Wall Bridge and Calf Raise The following are the steps to follow if you want to perform the wall bridge and calf raise exercise: Sit one foot away from the wall. Then, lie down on your back. After that, place your feet on the wall so that your legs look like a tabletop, horizontally. Press your feet on the wall. This way, you can engage your glutes and your hamstring. Then, lift your hips off the floor. However, do not arch your back in the process. Moreover, when your body makes a straight line from the knees to the shoulder, lift your heels for a calf raise. This will balance out the movement. Then, return to the starting position to complete one rep. Repeat these fifteen times to complete one set. 3. Reach Backs The following are the steps to follow if you want to perform reach-backs: Start with a high plank by pressing your feet on the edge of the wall. Here, ensure to keep your feet apart by shoulder-width. Also, be sure to place your shoulders directly over your wrists. Moreover, your body must be in a straight line from your heels to your shoulder. Use it as your starting position. Then, lift your hips up. When you are lifting up, touch your left foot with your right hand. Then, come back to the starting position. Do the same with your left hand by touching your right foot. Again, come back to the starting position. Make sure to repeat this 10 times for one set. 4. Marching Bridge The following are the steps to follow if you want to perform a marching bridge: Sit one foot away from the wall. Then, lie down on your back. After that, place your feet on the wall so that your legs look like a tabletop, horizontally. Then, press your feet to lift your hips off the floor. Here, make sure to form a straight line from your knees to your shoulder. However, make sure not to arch your back. Consider this as your starting position. Then, lift your left foot and bring your knee toward your chest. Meanwhile, make sure to keep your hips still. Here, maintain the same bend in your knee and stop when your thigh is at a right angle to your torso. Then, come back to your starting position by reversing the movement. This is one rep. By performing 10 reps, you complete one set of the marching bridge. 5. Wall Sit and Calf Raise The following are the steps to follow if you want to perform the wall sit and calf raise exercise: Become a human chair: Stand with your back against a wall and take your feet about a foot forward. Then, lower your hips down to a position such that your knees are perpendicular to your hips. Also, make sure your ankle is perpendicular to your knees. Then, extend your arms horizontally so that it is perpendicular to your torso. This is your starting position. Hold the squat position to raise your arms, and reverse the movement to the starting position. Simultaneously, raise your heels to do a calf raise and reverse the movement. This is one rep. Perform 12 reps to complete one set of Wall Sit and Calf Raise. Tips for Effective Wall Pilates Practice Here are some useful tips if you want to perform Wall Pilates free hand exercises effectively: Don’t over-exert yourself with your exercises. Basically, start with simple exercises and gradually increase your intensity. Make sure to breathe steadily and have control of your breathing. Use good-quality mats to support your back and hips. There is no substitute for a professional instructor. Hence, consult with an instructor to perform your exercises correctly. Do you have more suggestions on how to perform Wall Pilates free hand exercises? Please share your experiences and opinions in the comments section below. Read Also: 5 Rowing Machine Workout Tips Every Fitness Person should know Get up and Workout! Things to Consider

Spirulina: The Complete Plant Based Protein Source | Health Benefits