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INTERNATIONAL
SCIENTIFIC REFERENCES
Courtesy of Earthrise Farms Spirulina Library
Earthrise Company. 424 Payran Street, Petaluma, CA 94952 USA.
Anti-Viral Studies
- Inhibition of HIV-1 replication by an aqueous extract of spirulina.
by Ayehunie, Belay et al. 7th IAAA Conf., Knysna, South Africa. 1996. USA.
- Calcium Spirulan, an inhibitor of enveloped virus replication, from
a blue-green alga Spirulina. by Hayashi et al. 1996. Pub. in Journal
of Natural Products, 59, 83-87. Japan.
- An extract from spirulina is a selective inhibitor of herpes simplex
virus Type 1. by Hayashi et al. 1993. Japan.
- Antiviral activity of blue-green algae cultures. by Patterson.
Pub. in Journal of Phycology 29, 125-130. USA.
- AIDS Antiviral sulfolipids from cyanobacteria (blue-green algae).
by K. Gustafson, et al. 1989. Pub. in Journal of the National Cancer Institute,
August 16, 1989, pg 1254. USA.
Anti-Cancer Studies
- Evaluation of chemoprevention of oral cancer with spirulina. by
Babu, M. et al. 1995. Pub. in Nutrition and Cancer, Vol. 24, No. 2, 197-202.
India.
- Inhibitive effect and mechanism of polysaccharide of spirulina on
transplanted tumor cells in mice. by Lisheng, et al. 1991. Pub. in
Marine Sciences, Qingdao, N.5. pp 33-38. China.
- Enhancement of endonuclease activity and repair DNA synthesis by
polysaccharide of spirulina. by Qishen, P. et al. 1988. Pub. in Chinese
Genetics Journal, 15 (5) 374-381. China.
- Inhibition of experimental oral carcinogenesis by topical beta carotene.
by Schwartz, et al. 1986. Harvard School of Dental Medicine. Pub. in Carcinogenesis,
May 1986 7(5) 711-715. USA.
- Prevention of experimental oral cancer by extracts of spirulina-dunaliella
algae. by J. Schwartz, G. Shklar, et al. 1988. Harvard School of Dental
Medicine. Pub. in Nutrition and Cancer, 11, 127-134. 1988. USA.
Beta Carotene, Cancer Prevention and Health Improvement
- Bioavailability of spirulina carotenes in preschool children.
by V. Annapurna, et al. 1991. National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad,
India. J. Clin. Biochem Nutrition. 10 145-151. India.
- Large scale nutritional supplementation with spirulina alga.
by C.V. Seshadri. 1993. All India Coordinated Project on Spirulina. Shri
Amm Murugappa Chettiar Research Center (MCRC) Madras, India.
- Inhibition of experimental oral carcinogenesis by topical beta carotene.
by Schwartz, et al. 1986. Harvard School of Dental Medicine. Pub. in Carcinogenesis,
May 1986 7(5) 711-715. USA.
- Prevention of experimental oral cancer by extracts of spirulina-dunaliella
algae. by J. Schwartz, G. Shklar, et al. 1988. Harvard School of Dental
Medicine. Pub. in Nutrition and Cancer, 11, 127-134. 1988. USA.
Cholesterol Reduction
- Cholesterol lowering effect of spirulina. by N. Nayaka, et al.
1988. Tokai Univ. Pub. in Nutrition Reports Int'l, Vol. 37, No. 6, 1329-1337.
Japan.
- Clinical and biochemical evaluations of spirulina with regard to
its application in the treatment of obesity. by E.W. Becker, et al.
1986. Inst. Chem. Pfanz. Pub. in Nutrition Reports Int'l, Vol. 33, No.
4, pg 565. Germany.
- Effects of spirulina on hypercholesterolemia and fatty liver in
rats. by T. Kato and K. Takemoto. 1984. Saitama Medical College. Pub.
in Japan Nutr. Foods Assoc. Journal. 37:323. Japan.
- Effects of spirulina on plasma lipoprotein lipase activity in rats.
by K. Iwata. 1990. Pub. in Journal Nutr. Sci. Vitaminol. 36:165-171. Japan.
- Hypocholesterolemic effect of blue-green algae spirulina spirulina
in albino rats. by M.A. Devi and L.V. Venkataraman. 1983. Pub. in Nutrition
Reports Int'l, 28:519-530. India.
- The effect of spirulina on reduction of serum cholesterol. by
N. Nayaka, et al. 1986. Tokai Univ. Pub. in Progress in Medicine, Vol.
36, No. 11. Japan.
Diabetes and Hypertension Reduction
- Effect of water soluble and water insoluble fractions of spirulina
over serum lipids and glucose resistance of rats. by Y. Takai, et al.
1991. Pub. in J. Japan Soc. Nutr. Food Science, 44:273-277. Japan.
- Effects of spirulina on plasma lipoprotein lipase activity in rats.
by K. Iwata, et al. 1990. Pub. .in Journal Nutr. Sci. Vitaminol, 36:165-171.
Japan.
Food and Nutrition
- Algoculture: Spirulina, hope for a hungry world. by Ripley D.
Fox. 1986. Pub. by Edisud, Aix-en-Province, France (in French).
- Current knowledge on potential health benefits of spirulina.
by Amha Belay and Yoshimichi Ota. 1993. Pub. in Journal of Appl. Phycology,
5:235-241. USA.
- Health Benefits of Spirulina. by Denise Fox. 1993. In Spirulina,
Algae of Life. April 1993. Bulletin No. 12. Pub. by Institute Oceanographique,
Monaco.
- Large scale nutritional supplementation with spirulina alga.
by C.V. Seshadri. 1993. All India Coordinated Project on Spirulina. Shri
Amm Murugappa Chettiar Research Center (MCRC) Madras, India.
- Microalgae as Food and Supplement by Robert A. Kay. 1991. In
Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutr. 30(6):555-573. Pub. by CRC Press.
USA.
- Spirulina: a model for microalgae as human food. by Alan Jassby.
1988. In Algae and Human Affairs. edited by Lembi and Waaland. Pub.
by Cambridge Univ. Press, Cambridge, UK.
- Spirulina, the edible organism. by Orio Ciferri. 1983. In Microbiological
Reviews.Dec 1983. 551-578. Italy.
Glycolipids and Sulfolipids
- Antiviral activity of blue-green algae cultures. by Patterson.
Pub. in Journal of Phycology 29, 125-130. USA.
- AIDS Antiviral sulfolipids from cyanobacteria (blue-green algae).
by K. Gustafson, et al. 1989. Pub. in Journal of the National Cancer Institute,
August 16, 1989, pg 1254. USA.
- Biotechnology & Utilization of Algae: The Indian Experience.
by L.V. Venkataraman and E.W. Becker. 1985. Pub. by Sharada Press. Pg 114-115.
Mangalore, India.
- Glycolipids isolated from spirulina. by N. Kataoka, et al. 1983.
Pub. in Agric. Biol. Chem. 47(10), 2349-2355. Japan.
Hematopoiesis and Immunomodulation
- Effects of polysaccharide and phycocyanin from spirulina on peripheral
blood and hematopoietic system of bone marrow in mice. by Zhang Cheng-Wu,
et al.. April 1994. Nanjing Univ. China. Pub. in Proc. of Second Asia Pacific
Conf. on Algal Biotech. Univ. of Malaysia. p.58. China.
- Enhancement of antibody production in mice by dietary spirulina.
by Hayashi, et al. June 1994. Kagawa Nutrition Univ. Japan. Pub. in Journal
of Nutr. Science and Vitaminology. Japan.
- Phagocytic potential of feline macrophages after exposure to a water
soluble extract of spirulina in vitro. by M. Qureshi, et al. January
1996. Pub. in Immunopharmacology. in press. USA.
- Spirulina extracts enhances chicken macrophage functions after in
vitro exposure. by M. Qureshi, et al. 1995. Pub. in Jour. Nutritional
Immunology, No. 3 (4) 35-45. USA.
- Immune enhancement potential of spirulina in chickens. by M.
Qureshi, et al. August 1994. Poultry Science Assoc. Dept. of Poultry Science,
North Carolina State, NC. Pub. in Journal of Poultry Science Vol 73, S.1.
p. 46. USA.
- Immunomodulary effects of spirulina supplementation in chickens.
by M. Qureshi, et al. May 1995. North Carolina State. Pub. in Proc. of
44th Western Poultry Disease Conference, pp 117-120. USA.
- Immunostimulating activity of lipopolysaccharides from blue-green
algae. by L. Besednova, et al. 1979. Pub. in Zhurnal Mikrobiologii,
Epidemiologii, Immunobiologii, 56(12) pp 75-79. Russia.
- Means to normalize the levels of immunoglobulin E, using the food
supplement Spirulina. by L. Evets, et al. 1994. Grodenski State Medical
Univ. Russian Federation Committee of Patents and Trade. Patent (19)RU
(11)2005486. Jan. 15, 1994. Russia.
- Radioprotective effect of extract from spirulina in mouse bone marrow
cells studied by using the micronucleus test. by P. Qishen, Kolman
et al. 1989. In Toxicology Letters 48: 165-169. China.
- Study on effect and mechanism of polysaccharides of spirulina on
body immune function improvement. by G. Baojiang, et al. April 1994.
South China Normal Univ. China. Pub. in Proc. of Second Asia Pacific Conf.
on Algal Biotech. Univ. of Malaysia. pp 33-38. China.
- Immune response activation in channel catfish ictaluras punctatus
fed spirulina enriched artemia. by B. Portoni et al. 1996. American
Fisheries Society Fish Health Section. USA.
Iron Bioavailability and Prevention of Anemia
- Availability of iron to rats from spirulina, a blue-green algae.
by P. Johnson and E. Shubert. 1986. Pub. in Nutrition Research Vol 6, 85-94.
USA.
- Clinical experiences of administration of spirulina to patients
with hypochronic anemia. by T. Takeuchi, et al. 1978. Tokyo Medical
and Dental Univ. Japan.
- Iron transfer from spirulina to blood in rats. by K. Takemoto,
et al. 1982. Saitama Medical College. Japan.
Kidney Detoxification
- Effect of spirulina on the renal toxicity induced by inorganic mercury
and cisplatin. by H. Fukino, et al. 1990. Pub. in Eisei Kagaku, 36:5,
1990. Japan.
- The effect of spirulina on nephrotoxicity in rats. by Y. Yamane,
et al. 1988. Chiba Univ. Presented at Annual Symposium of the Pharmaceutical
Society of Japan, April 15, 1988. Japan.
Lactobacillus Improvement
- Effects of spirulina on caecum content in rats. by Y. Tokai,
et al. 1987. Chiba Hygiene College Bulletin. Feb. 1987 Vol. 5, No. 2. Japan.
Malnutrition Recovery
- Algoculture: Spirulina, hope for a hungry world. by Ripley D.
Fox. 1986. Pub. by Edisud, Aix-en-Province, France (in French).
- Clinical experimentation with spirulina. by R. Ramos Galvan.
1973. National Institute of Nutrition, Mexico City, Mexico (in Spanish).
- Current knowledge on potential health benefits of spirulina.
by Amha Belay and Yoshimichi Ota. 1993. In Journal of Appl. Phycology,
5:235-241. USA.
- Effectiveness of spirulina algae as food for children with protein-energy
malnutrition in a tropical environment. by P. Bucaille. 1990. University
Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France. Oct. 1990. Zaire. (in French).
- Food value of spirulina in humans. by C. Sautier and J. Tremolieres.
1976. Pub. in Ann. Nutrition Alim., 30:517-534. France (in French).
- Health Benefits of Spirulina. by Denise Fox. 1993. In Spirulina,
Algae of Life. April 1993. Bulletin No. 12. Pub. by Institute Oceanographique,
Monaco.
- Large scale nutritional supplementation with spirulina alga.
by C.V. Seshadri. 1993. All India Coordinated Project on Spirulina. Shri
Amm Murugappa Chettiar Research Center (MCRC) Madras, India.
- Observations on the utilization of spirulina as an adjuvant nutritive
factor in treating some diseases accompanied by a nutritional deficiency.
by V. Fica, et al. 1984. Clinica II Medicala, Spitalui Clinic, Bucuresti.
Med. Interna 36 (3). Romania. (in Romanian).
- Spirulina in Jiangxi China. by Miao Jian Ren. 1987. Academy
of Agricultural Science. Presented at Soc. Appl. Algology, Lille France
Sep. 1987. China.
- The study on curative effect of zinc containing spirulina for zinc
deficient children. by Wen Yonghuang, et al. 1994. Capital Medical
College, Beijing. Presented at 5th Int'l Phycological Congress, Qingdao,
June 1994. China.
Phycocyanin and Immune System Improvement
- Antitumoral agents containing phycobilin- also used to treat ulcers
and hemorrhoidal bleeding. by Dainippon Ink & Chemicals and Tokyo
Kenkyukai. 1983. Patent 58065216 A 830418. Japan.
- Effect of spirulina on the renal toxicity induced by inorganic mercury
and cisplatin. by H. Fukino, et al. 1990. Pub. in Eisei Kagaku, 36:5,
1990. Japan.
- Effects of polysaccharide and phycocyanin from spirulina on peripheral
blood and hematopoietic system of bone marrow in mice. by Zhang Cheng-Wu,
et al.. April 1994. Nanjing Univ. China. Pub. in Proc. of Second Asia Pacific
Conf. on Algal Biotech. Univ. of Malaysia. China.
Polysaccharides and Immune System Improvement
- Calcium Spirulan, an inhibitor of enveloped virus replication, from
a blue-green alga Spirulina. by Hayashi et al. 1996. Pub. in Journal
of Natural Products, 59, 83-87. Japan.
- An extract from spirulina is a selective inhibitor of herpes simples
virus Type 1. by Hayashi et al. 1993. Japan.
- Effects of polysaccharide and phycocyanin from spirulina on peripheral
blood and hematopoietic system of bone marrow in mice. by Zhang Cheng-Wu,
et al.. April 1994. Nanjing Univ. China. Pub. in Proc. of Second Asia Pacific
Conf. on Algal Biotech. Univ. of Malaysia. p.58. China.
- Enhancement of antibody production in mice by dietary spirulina.
by Hayashi, et al. June 1994. Kagawa Nutrition Univ. Japan. Pub. in Journal
of Nutr. Science and Vitaminology. Japan.
- Immune enhancement potential of spirulina in chickens. by M.
Quereshi, et al. August 1994. Poultry Science Assoc. Dept. of Poultry Science,
North Carolina State, NC. Pub. in Journal of Poultry Science Vol 73, S.1.
p. 46. USA.
- Immunomodulary effects of spirulina supplementation in chickens.
by M. Qureshi, et al. May 1995. North Carolina State. Pub. in Proc. of
44th Western Poultry Disease Conference, pp 117-120. USA.
- Immunostimulating activity of lipopolysaccharides from blue-green
algae. by L. Besednova, et al. 1979. Pub. in Zhurnal Mikrobiologii,
Epidemiologii, Immunobiologii, 56(12) pp 75-79. Russia.
- Inhibitive effect and mechanism of polysaccharide of spirulina on
transplanted tumor cells in mice. by Lisheng, et al. 1991.Pub. in Marine
Sciences, Qingdao, N.5. pp 33-38. China.
- Radioprotective effect of extract from spirulina in mouse bone marrow
cells studied by using the micronucleus test. by P. Qishen, Kolman
et al. 1989. In Toxicology Letters 48: 165-169. China.
- Study on effect and mechanism of polysaccharides of spirulina on
body immune function improvement. by G. Baojiang, et al. April 1994.
South China Normal Univ. China. Pub. in Proc. of Second Asia Pacific Conf.
on Algal Biotech. Univ. of Malaysia. pp 33-38. China.
- Enhancement of endonuclease activity and repair DNA synthesis by
polysaccharide of spirulina. by Qishen, P. et al. 1988. Pub. in Chinese
Genetics Journal, 15 (5) 374-381. China.
Radiation Protective Effect and Immune System Improvement
- Means to normalize the levels of immunoglobulin E, using the food
supplement Spirulina. by L. Evets, et al. 1994. Grodenski State Medical
Univ. Russian Federation Committee of Patents and Trade. Patent (19)RU
(11)2005486. Jan. 15, 1994. Russia.
- Radioprotective effect of extract from spirulina in mouse bone marrow
cells studied by using the micronucleus test. by P. Qishen, Kolman
et al. 1989. In Toxicology Letters 48: 165-169. China.
- Spirulina- natural sorbent of radionucleides. by L.P. Loseva
and I.V. Dardynskaya. Sep 1993. Research Institute of Radiation Medicine,
Minsk, Belarus. 6th Int'l Congress of Applied Algology, Czech Republic.
Belarus.
Human Health Research by Country
Belarus
- Spirulina- natural sorbent of radionucleides. by L.P. Loseva
and I.V. Dardynskaya. Sep 1993. Research Institute of Radiation Medicine,
Minsk, Belarus. 6th Int'l Congress of Applied Algology, Czech Republic.
Belarus.
China
- Spirulina in Jiangxi China. by Miao Jian Ren. 1987. Academy
of Agricultural Science. Presented at Soc. Appl. Algology, Lille France
Sep. 1987. China.
- The study on curative effect of zinc containing spirulina for zinc
deficient children. by Wen Yonghuang, et al. 1994. Capital Medical
College, Beijing. Presented at 5th Int'l Phycological Congress, Qingdao,
June 1994. China.
Germany
- Clinical and biochemical evaluations of spirulina with regard to
its application in the treatment of obesity. by E.W. Becker, et al.
1986. Inst. Chem. Pfanz. Pub. in Nutrition Reports Int'l, Vol. 33, No.
4, pg 565. Germany.
India
- Evaluation of chemoprevention of oral cancer with spirulina. by
Babu, M. et al. 1995. Pub. in Nutrition and Cancer, Vol. 24, No. 2, 197-202.
India.
- Bioavailability of spirulina carotenes in preschool children.
by V. Annapurna, et al. 1991. National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad,
India. J. Clin. Biochem Nutrition. 10 145-151. India.
- Large scale nutritional supplementation with spirulina alga.
by C.V. Seshadri. 1993. All India Coordinated Project on Spirulina. Shri
Amm Murugappa Chettiar Research Center (MCRC) Madras, India.
Japan
- Clinical experiences of administration of spirulina to patients
with hupochronic anemia. by T. Takeuchi, et al. 1978. Tokyo Medical
and Dental Univ. Japan.
- Cholesterol lowering effect of spirulina. by N. Nayaka, et al.
1988. Tokai Univ. Pub. in Nutrition Reports Int'l, Vol. 37, No. 6, 1329-1337.
Japan.
Mexico
- Clinical experimentation with spirulina. by R. Ramos Galvan.
1973. National Institute of Nutrition, Mexico City, Mexico (in Spanish).
Romania
- Observations on the utilization of spirulina as an adjuvant nutritive
factor in treating some diseases accompanied by a nutritional deficiency.
by V. Fica, et al. 1984. Clinica II Medicala, Spitalui Clinic, Bucuresti.
Med. Interna 36 (3). Romania. (In Romanian).
Russia
- Means to normalize the levels of immunoglobulin E, using the food
supplement Spirulina. by L. Evets, et al. 1994. Grodenski State Medical
Univ. Russian Federation Committee of Patents and Trade. Patent (19)RU
(11)2005486. Jan. 15, 1994. Russia.
Zaire
- Effectiveness of spirulina algae as food for children with protein-energy
malnutrition in a tropical environment. by P. Bucaille. 1990. University
Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France. Oct. 1990. Zaire. (in French).
Production of Spirulina
- Algoculture: Spirulina, hope for a hungry world. by Ripley D.
Fox. 1986. Pub. by Edisud, Aix-en-Province, France (in French).
- Biotechnology & Utilization of Algae: The Indian Experience.
by L.V. Venkataraman and E.W. Becker. 1985. Pub. by Sharada Press, Mangalore,
India.
- Earth Food Spirulina: How this remarkable blue-green algae can
transform your health and our planet. by Robert Henrikson. 1989, Revised
1994. Pub. by Ronore Enterprises, Inc. PO Box 1188, Kenwood, CA 95452 USA.
- Micro-Algal Biotechnology. edited by Borowitska. 1986. Pub.
by Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK.
- Production of high quality spirulina at Earthrise Farms. by
Amha Belay and Yoshimichi Ota. 1994. Pub. in Proc. of Second Asia Pacific
Conference on Algal Biotech. Univ. of Malaysia. USA.
- Spirulina National Symposium (India). by C.V. Seshadri and N.
Jeeji Bai. 1992. Pub. by Shri Amm Murugappa Chettiar Research Center (MDRC),
Madras, India.
- Spirulina, Algae of Life. April 1993. Bulletin Special No. 12.
Pub. by Institute Oceanographique, Monaco.
Reference Books on Spirulina and Microalgae
- Algoculture: Spirulina, hope for a hungry world. by Ripley D.
Fox. 1986. Pub. by Edisud, Aix-en-Province, France (in French).
- Earth Food Spirulina: How this remarkable blue-green algae can
transform your health and our planet. by Robert Henrikson. 1989, Revised
1994. Pub. by Ronore Enterprises, Inc. PO Box 1188, Kenwood, CA 95452 USA.
- Microalga Spirulina. by Robert Henrikson. 1993. Pub. by Ediciones
Urano, Barcelona Spain (in Spanish). Oikos Pharmaceuticals, C/ San Pedro,
29640 Fuengirola, Málaga, Costa del Sol, España.
- Rejuvenating the Body through fasting with Spirulina plankton.
by Christopher Hills. 1979. Pub. by Univ. of the Trees, Boulder Creek,
CA. USA.
- Spirulina. A Good Health Guide. by Jack Joseph Challem. 1981.
Pub. by Keats Publishing, New Canaan, CT. USA.
- Spirulina, Algae of Life. April 1993. Bulletin Special No. 12.
Pub. by Institute Oceanographique, Monaco.
- Spirulina National Symposium (India). by C.V. Seshadri and N.
Jeeji Bai. 1992. Pub. by MDRC, Madras, India.
- Spirulina, the Whole Food Revolution. by Larry Switzer. 1982.
Pub. by Bantam Books, NY. USA.
- The Spirulina Cookbook. by Sonia Beasley. 1981. Pub. by Univ.
of the Trees, Boulder Creek, CA. USA.
- The Spirulina Diet. by Saundra Howard. 1982. Pub. by Lyle Stuart,
Secacus, NJ. USA.
Latest Scientific Research on Spirulina:
Effects on the AIDS Virus, Cancer and the Immune System.
by Richard Kozlenko DPM, Ph.D M.P.H. and Ronald H. Henson.©
Copyright 1997
Spirulina is gaining more attention from medical scientists as a
nutraceutical and source of potential pharmaceuticals. There are several
new peer reviewed scientific studies about Spirulina's ability to inhibit
viral replication, strengthen both the cellular and humoral arms of the
immune system and cause regression and inhibition of cancers. While these
studies are preliminary and more research is needed, the results so far
are exciting.
Potent Anti-Viral Activity
In April 1996, scientists from the Laboratory of Viral Pathogenesis,
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts,
and Earthrise Farms, Calipatria, California, announced on-going research,
saying "Water extract of Spirulina platensis inhibits HIV-1 replication
in human derived T-cell lines and in human peripheral blood mononuclear
cells. A concentration of 5-10 µg/ml was found to reduce viral
production" 1.
HIV-1 is the AIDS virus. Small amounts of Spirulina extract reduced
viral replication while higher concentrations totally stopped its reproduction.
Importantly, with a therapeutic index of >100, Spirulina extract was
non-toxic to the human cells at concentrations stopping viral replication.
Another group of medical scientists has published new studies regarding
a purified water extract unique to Spirulina named Calcium-Spirulan.
It inhibits replication of HIV-1, Herpes Simplex, Human Cytomegalovirus,
Influenza A virus, Mumps virus and Measles virus in-vitro yet is very safe
for human cells. It protects human and monkey cells from viral infection
in cell culture. According to peer reviewed scientific journal reports
this extract, "holds great promise for treatment of ...HIV-1, HSV-1,
and HCM infections, which is particularly advantageous for AIDS patients
who are prone to these life-threatening infections." 8.
Calcium-Spirulan is a polymerized sugar molecule unique to Spirulina
containing both Sulfur and Calcium. Hamsters treated with this water soluble
extract had better recovery rates when infected with an otherwise lethal
Herpes virus 9.
How does it work? When attacking a cell, a virus first attaches itself
to the cell membrane. However, because of Spirulina extract, the virus
cannot penetrate the cell membrane to infect the cell. The virus is stuck,
unable to replicate. It is eventually eliminated by the body's natural
defenses. Spirulina extracts may become useful therapeutics that could
help AIDS patients lead longer more normal lives 1, 8, 9.
What Is Spirulina?
Spirulina, (rhymes with 'ballerina'), is a traditional food of some
Mexican and African peoples. It is a planktonic blue-green algae found
in warm water alkaline volcanic lakes. Wild Spirulina sustains huge flocks
of flamingos in the alkaline East African Rift Valley Lakes. It possesses
an amazing ability to thrive in conditions much too harsh for other algae.
As might be expected, it has a highly unusual nutritional profile. Spirulina
has a 62% amino acid content, is the world's richest natural source of
Vitamin B-12 and contains a whole spectrum of natural mixed carotene and
xanthophyll phytopigments. Spirulina has a soft cell wall made of complex
sugars and protein, and is different from most other algae in that it is
easily digested.
Millions of people worldwide eat Spirulina cultivated in scientifically
designed algaefarms. Current world production of Spirulina for human consumption
is more than one thousand metric tons annually. The United States leads
world production followed by Thailand, India and China. More countries
are planning production as they realize it is a valuable strategic resource.
Differences between spirulina, chlorella and 'wild'
blue green algae.
Spirulina is not Chlorella
or the blue-green algae harvested from Klamath Lake Oregon. Chlorella,
a green micro-algae, is a nutritious food but does not have the same anti-viral,
anti-cancer and immune stimulating properties of Spirulina. The Chlorella
cell wall is made of indigestible cellulose, just like green grass, while
the cell wall of Spirulina is made of complexed proteins and sugars.
The Klamath Lake blue-green algae has the scientific name Aphanizomenon
flos-aquae. It is not the same as Spirulina. While scientific literature includes information
concerning the potential toxicity of Aphanizomenon flos-aquae, there are few peer
reviewed scholarly scientific papers regarding the therapeutic benefit of Aphanizomenon
flos-aquae. In contrast, the scientific literature is full of information concerning
the benefits and safety of humans and animals eating Chlorella and Spirulina
4.
Anti-Cancer Effects
Several studies show Spirulina or its extracts can prevent or inhibit
cancers in humans and animals. Some common forms of cancer are thought
to be a result of damaged cell DNA running amok, causing uncontrolled cell
growth. Cellular biologists have defined a system of special enzymes called
Endonuclease which repair damaged DNA to keep cells alive and healthy.
When these enzymes are deactivated by radiation or toxins, errors in DNA
go unrepaired and, cancer may develop. In vitro studies suggest the unique
polysaccharides of Spirulina enhance cell nucleus enzyme activity and DNA
repair synthesis. This may be why several scientific studies, observing
human tobacco users and experimental cancers in animals, report high levels
of suppression of several important types of cancer. The subjects were
fed either whole Spirulina or treated with its water extracts 3,12,13.
Strengthens Immune System
Spirulina is a powerful tonic for the immune system. In scientific
studies of mice, hamsters, chickens, turkeys, cats and fish, Spirulina
consistently improves immune system function. Medical scientists find Spirulina
not only stimulates the immune system, it actually enhances the body's
ability to generate new blood cells.
Important parts of the immune system, the Bone Marrow Stem Cells,
Macrophages, T-cells and Natural Killer cells, exhibit enhanced activity.
The Spleen and Thymus glands show enhanced function. Scientists also observe
Spirulina causing macrophages to increase in number, become "activated"
and more effective at killing germs.
Feeding studies show that even small amounts of Spirulina build up
both the humoral and cellular arms of the immune system 16.
Spirulina accelerates production of the humoral system, (antibodies and
cytokines), allowing it to better protect against invading germs. The cellular
immune system includes T-cells, Macrophages, B-cells and the anti-cancer
Natural Killer cells. These cells circulate in the blood and are especially
rich in body organs like the liver, spleen, thymus, lymph nodes, adenoids,
tonsils and bone marrow. Spirulina up-regulates these key cells and organs,
improving their ability to function in spite of stresses from environmental
toxins and infectious agents 2,10,12,14,15,16.
Spirulina Phycocyanin Builds Blood
Polypeptide called Phycocyanin. Studies show that Phycocyanin affects
the stem cells found in bone marrow. Stem cells are "Grandmother"
to both the white blood cells that make up the cellular immune system and
red blood cells that oxygenate the body.
Chinese scientists document Phycocyanin stimulating hematopoiesis,
(the creation of blood), emulating the affect of the hormone erythropoetin,
(EPO). EPO is produced by healthy kidneys and regulates bone marrow stem
cell production of red blood cells. Chinese scientists claim Phycocyanin
also regulates production of white blood cells, even when bone marrow stem
cells are damaged by toxic chemicals or radiation 17.
Based on this effect, Spirulina is approved in Russia as a "medicine
food" for treating radiation sickness. The Children of Chernobyl suffer
radiation poisoning from eating food grown on radioactive soil. Their bone
marrow is damaged, rendering them immunodeficient. Radiation damaged bone
marrow cannot produce normal red or white blood cells. The children are
anemic and suffer from terrible allergic reactions. Children fed just five
grams of Spirulina in tablets each day make dramatic recoveries within
six weeks. Children not given Spirulina remain ill 6.
Other Potential Health Benefits
Spirulina is one of the most concentrated natural sources of nutrition
known. It contains all the essential amino acids, rich in chlorophyll,
beta-carotene and its co-factors, and other natural phytochemicals. Spirulina
is the only green food rich in GLA essential fatty acid. GLA stimulates
growth in some animals and makes skin and hair shiny and soft yet more
durable. GLA also acts as an anti-inflammatory, sometimes alleviating symptoms
of arthritic conditions.
Spirulina acts as a functional food, feeding beneficial intestinal
flora, especially Lactobacillus and Bifidus. Maintaining a healthy population
of these bacteria in the intestine reduces potential problems from opportunistic
pathogens like E. coli and Candida albicans. Studies show when Spirulina
is added to the diet, beneficial intestinal flora increase.
Conclusion
Based on this preliminary research, scientists hope the use of Spirulina
and its extracts may reduce or prevent cancers and viral diseases. Bacterial
or parasitic infections may be prevented or respond better to treatment
and wound healing may improve. Symptoms of anemia, poisoning and immunodeficiency
may be alleviated. Scientists in the USA, Japan, China, Russia, India and
other countries are studying this remarkable food to unlock its potential.
More research is needed to determine its usefulness against AIDS and other
killer diseases. However, it is already clear this safe and natural food
provides concentrated nutritional support for optimum health and wellness.
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