Nutrition II - Superfoods - Microalgae: Spirulina and Chlorella Flashcards
Microalgae: description
Description: edible microalgae (phytoplankton) are classified as mostly freshwater, single celled photosynthesising algae or bacteria:
* Blue–green algae: freshwater Cyanobacteria (not an algae) Aphanizomenon flos-aquae (AFA) wild blue– green algae
* Spirulina: Blue-green spiral shaped Cyanobacteria
* Chlorella: Single-celled fresh water green algae
Microalgae: Energetics
Energetics: Cooling, moistens dryness
Microalgae: Composition
Composition: Particularly high in chlorophyll, iron, and 50-70% complete protein. Chlorella is an excellent source of bio-available B12 and vit D2. There is a notable absence of iodine in Chlorella
Spirulina: description
Description:
* Spiral-shaped, blue-green algae able to grow in both fresh and salt water.
* Lacks cellulose walls so can be easily digested.
* Two key species: Arthrospira platensis and Arthrospira maxima I cultivated worldwide
Spirulina: energetics
Energetics: For Yin deficiency or excess heat
Spirulina: composition
Competition:
* Highly nutritious.
* 60 to 70% highly bioavailable protein; contains all the essential amino acids.
* Rich in vitamin B1, B2, B3, A, K; beta-carotene, copper, iron, zinc, calcium, magnesium, potassium, phycocyanin, high in chlorophyll
Note: contains analogues of vitamin B12 which are not absorbed in the gut; not a reliable source of vitamin B12 for vegans
Phycocyanin = a pigment finding protein that exerts and anti-cancer activity
Spirulina:
Benefits & clinical applications
- Detoxification
- Immune enhancing
- Anti-inflammatory
- Anti-cancer
- Exercise performance
- Anti-allergic effects
- Anti-hypertensive
- Positive effect on blood lipids
Spirulina: detoxification
Acts as an accumulator (biosorbent) of heavy minerals due to ‘ion–exchange binding’. Can bind with heavy metals including cadmium, arsenic, lead and mercury
Biosorbent = a biomass that allows a contaminant to bind to it’s cellular structure
Spirulina: immune enhancing
Notable increases it Natural killer cell activity and has anti-viral properties
Spirulina: anti-inflammatory
Reduces the production of pro inflammatory cytokines by inhibiting the NF-kB pathway. Phycocyanin in spirulina also has COX-2 inhibiting effects.
Spirulina: anti-cancer
Phycocyanin (a protein extract from spirulina) has anti-cancer properties. It has anti-inflammatory, antioxidants, immune boosting and anti-proliferative effects.
Spirulina: exercise performance
Increases endurance, whilst the higher amino acid content supports muscle hypertrophy
Spirulina: anti- allergic effects
Particularly in relation to an allergic rhinitis where the inhibition of histamine from mast cells has been observed
Spirulina: Anti-hypertensive
Reduces elevated BP; an effect associated with raised nitric oxide production (= vasodilation), High antioxidant protection and lower inflammation
Spirulina: positive effect on blood lipids
Lowers LDL & VLDL cholesterol and triglycerides, whilst increasing HDL