Spirulina:Huge Health Benefits
SPIRULINA: HUGE HEALTH BENEFITS
I had been told for a number of years that spirulina was THE health food, but did not believe it until
something special happened to me. I was at a kinesiology seminar. I had known at school and university that my mind needed a break after 50 minutes of study. This was backed up later in other seminars where they used super learning. If the brain is given a break every 50 minutes for 5-10 minutes, it takes up where it left off and is greatly refreshed. This enhances learning and retention. Without this break, concentration goes way down. I had told my teacher David Bridgman this, but on the seminar he was obviously ignoring my advice. After two hours
straight, I was exhausted. My brain was numb. I could absorb no new information. It was an informal and fun class. There were about twenty of us seated in chairs in a circle facing the whiteboard. Many present, including the teacher, were my friends. So, I did just what my body was telling me to do - I lay down in the foetal position on the carpet in front of my chair and closed my eyes. I could hear David laughingly tell me to get up, to manifest energy. I ignored him. Then I heard him tell someone to stick some spirulina in my mouth. Two spirulina tablets were stuck in my mouth by someone. The weird thing was, even though I was determined to stay there until David gave us a break, some how the spirulina made my body feel so good that within a minute I was back sitting in my chair! David explained then that mental exercise exhausts RNA from the brain, and spirulina is an excellent source for RNA. There is an Applied Kinesiology test which uses muscle testing to test for RNA deficiency. The testor touches the bridge of the nose with one hand, and then muscle tests (with their other arm) one arm of the client. If the client's arm tests weak (when previously it was strong), there is an RNA deficiency. If the person tested then takes some spirulina, the weak test can usually turn into a strong test. (Other points on the body that show different areas for testing for deficiency and excess of different vitamins, minerals etc. are shown in Dr Sheldon Deal's Basic Applied Kinesiology Workshop Manual).
If you are tired or mentally drained, taking spirulina can make a big difference, quickly. Unlike caffeine, it is helping your body by providing nutrients etc., not just acting like a drug to drain your adrenals.
The Key Features of Spirulina are:
· Rich in antioxidants
· Boosts energy and cellular health
· Ecologicaly grown in USA, in the California desert; pesticide and herbicide free
· More than 60% easy-to-digest all-vegetable protine.
· Rare food source of the essential fatty acid GLA
· High in B-12 and easy-to-absorb iron
A serving size of 6 500 mg Tablets (3 g) contains:
Protein 1.7 g (4% DV). Including of Alanine (144 mg), Arginine (141 mg), Aspartic acid (195 mg),
Cystine (18 mg), Glutamic Acid (297 mg), Glycine (96 mg), Histidine (30 mg), Isoleucine (102 mg), Leucine (174 mg), Lysine (99 mg), Methionine (39 mg), Phenylalanine (87 mg), Proline (78 mg), Serine (96 mg), Threonine (96 mg),Trytophan (27 mg), Tyrosine (81 mg), Valine (114 mg)
· Carbohydrates 0.5 g · Fats 0.2 g · Vitamins including Vitamin A 4000IU (80% DV), Vitamin K (17 mcg), Thiamine B1 (0.03 mg), Riboflavin B2 (0.06 mg), Niacin B3 (0.35 mg), Vitamin B12 2.8 mcg (45% DV) · Minerals in an easy-to-absorb form including Calcium (7 mg), Iron 1.5 mg (8% DV), Magnesium (7 mg), Zinc (45 mcg), Manganese (50 mcg), Copper (12 mcg), Chromium (<15 mcg),Sodium (15 mg), Potassium (40 mg) · Phytonutrients including Phycocyanin (420 mg), Polysaccharides (200 mg), Sulfolipids (40 mg), SOD (5000 Units), Chlorophyll (30 mg), Gamma Linolenic Acid (30 mg), Linoleic Acid (27 mg), Mixed carotenoids (8 mg), Lutein (1.5mg)
Super nutrition for the 21St century
By Gary Bushkin, PhD, CNC and Estitta Bushkin, PhD, CNC
Spirulina is believed by anthropologists and biologists to be the oldest living plant on the planet. This "old faithful" has provided complete nutrition, unmatched in value, for over 3.5 million years. Only in the past 75 years have we become familiar with Spirulina, a sleeping powder keg of "green power" that has the potential to become the prime choice for a world super food of the future.
Good Greens
Spirulina is one of approximately 1,500 species of microscopic aquatic plants called blue-green micro algae that have inhabited the earth for several million years. In it's natural state, Spirulina has been discovered in the lakes and waterways of Africa, Central America and South America. During the 15th and 16th centuries, the Aztec Indians of Mexico regularly harvested Spirulina for food from natural green lakes and ponds. Native cooks mixed it with maize (cornmeal) to make green pancakes that were a staple of their simple diet. Currently, there are two common varieties of this spiral shaped blue-green algae currently being cultivated and harvested for human consumption, known as Spirulina maxima and Spirulina platensis.
Harvestinq Spirulina
Today, Spirulina is extensively harvested in tank environments that are set up to provide growing
conditions that mimic it's ideal natural habitat. Although Spirulina is cultivated around the world, the largest and most respected Spirulina "farm" is located in the hot California desert sunshine far away from polluted city air. There, from April to October, controlled cultivation of Spirulina takes place. Spirulina is grown in man-made cultivation ponds which help keep out undesirable weed algae, micro bacteria and parasites. These ponds are fed Colorado River water, minerals and carbon dioxide, needed by Spirulina for photosynthesis. Many hours each day of intense sunlight promotes rapid growth. Immediately after being harvested from these ponds, Spirulina is filtered to a thick consistency, dehydrated, and put in oxygen-protective containers. Every day, each lot is tested to ensure safety and consistent nutrient levels. The entire process --- from growing pond to powder - takes about 15 minutes. This powder is then bottled and sold as a supplement as either a powder, tablet of capsule. It is also sold as an ingredient that is used in many other dietary supplements.
Bionutritional Functions Of Spirulina
Spirulina has been blessed by nature with a huge arsenal of valuable nutrients. Of special interest is the phycocyanin, a blue pigment naturally present in large amounts. Results of a 1986 study presented at the International Association for Dental Research General Session concluded that phycocyanin was unique because of its cytostatic (suppressing formation of new cancer cell colonies) and cytotoxic (that destroy existing colonies of cancer cells) abilities. Spirulina is also naturally "pumped" with vitamins, especially the carotenoids like beta-carotene, essential fatty acids (EFA's), the important fatty acid gamma linolenic acid (GLA), digestive enzymes, minerals and the richest plant source of vitamin B12. Spirulina is the "must have" green food- a complete
protein with all eight essential amino acids present. Its 60% protein content is four times greater than beef (18%)! In our society, where the concept of complete protein is meat and dairy, it is very reassuring to know that greens like Spirulina can provide all the high quality protein and other nutrients needed.
Spirulina and Vitamin B12 Controversy
A major argument frequently used to support the consumption of animal foods in the diet and negate the tremendous value of Spirulina incorrectly states that plants do not contain vitamin B12. A single serving of Spirulina contains 45% of your daily value of vitamin B12. That's good news and reassuring for vegetarians, many of who are incorrectly led to believe that eating animal food is critical to getting this essential blood building vitamin.
Spirulina Research and Studies
While Spirulina research conducted over the years has clearly shown its multi-faceted health promoting effects, the two latest studies in the areas of immunomodulation and cancer protection tell the big story.
Spirulina Controls Immunomodulation and Uprequlates Immunity
Spirulina's most powerful health benefits lie in its ability to stimulate and maintain immune system
activity. The results of the Mao, Van De Water and Gershwin study, published in the Journal of Medicinal Food (2000), and conducted at the university of California at Davis School of Medicine, provide continued understanding and proof of the awesome power of Spirulina.
The study, performed on Spirulina grown by Earthrise Nutritionals, demonstrated that Spirulina was able to raise the levels of three cytokines (specialized proteins produced by immune system lymphocytes) particularly one form of interferon (IFN)-y, to 13.6 times basal levels, and two forms of interleukins, (IL)- 1 beta to 3.3 times basal levels, and IL-4, to 2.0 times basal levels. This evidence is highly convincing in terms of expanding Spirulina research and it's use in food. Earlier, the results of the Baojiang study, given at the Second Asia-Pacific Conference on Algal Biotechnology, 1994, concluded that polysaccharides of Spirulina platensis, at the dosage of 150-300 mg/kg by injection or taken orally, can increase the percentage of T-lymphocyte in the blood. The results demonstrate that Spirulina polysaccharides can improve cellular and humoral immunity. Hayashi, in the Journal of Nutritional Science Vitaminology, showed that Spirulina extract significantly enhanced interleukin-1 (IL-1) production from peritoneal macrophages. These results suggest that Spirulina enhances the immune response, particularly the primary response, by stimulating macrophage functions, phagocytosis, and IL-1 production.
Spirulina Prevents Cancer
At the 30th Annual Meeting of the Japanese Society for Immunology in November 2000, breakthrough research was reported by the Osaka Institute of Public Health. Spirulina, in conjunction with BCG-CWS, a cell wall component derived from Tubercle bacillus; was able to enhance the anti-tumor propagation effect of BCG-CWS. This inhibitory effect occurred because Spirulina upregulated the tumor destroying activity of natural killer (NK) cells and the cytokine interferon gamma. This heightened activity was observed 1-2 weeks after initiating Spirulina use, continuing 12- 24 weeks after treatment ceased. Researchers believe that the clinical findings support the serious potential for Spirulina as an Immunotherapy agent. Mishima and colleagues reported in Clinical & Experimental Metastasis, 1998, that Ca-SP, calcium spirulan isolated from Spirulina platensis, could reduce the lung metastasis of B16-BL6 melanoma cells by inhibiting the tumor invasion of basement membrane probably through the prevention of the adhesion and migration of tumor cells.
Spirulina Is A Powerful Antioxidant
As a food additive, Spirulina maxima contains beta-carotene, tocopherols and phenolic acids, which are proven to exhibit antioxidant properties. The antioxidant activity of Spirulina can be attributed to phycocyanin, the blue pigment found in blue-green algae that contains phytochemicals with scavenging properties. The Miranda study (1998), published in the Brazilian Journal of Medical and Biological Research, demonstrated a 71 % antioxidant capacity for the group taking the Spirulina extract and 54% for the group that did not, indicating strong antioxidant protection. The results obtained indicate that Spirulina provides some antioxidant protection for both in vitro and in vivo systems. The Romay study demonstrated that phycocyanin is able to scavenge the very dangerous hydroxy radical and inhibit the oxidation of lipids in the liver.
Spirulina Is Cardioprotective
At the Avinashilingam Institute for Home Science, Deemed University in Coimbatore, India, Ramamoorthy and colleagues tested the effects of Spirulina on patients with a combination of high cholesterol (above 250 mg/dI) and ischemic heart disease. They concluded that Spirulina plays a key role, lowering blood cholesterol levels and improving lipid profiles. Spirulina's cell wall is unique too. It is made up of mucopolysaccharides that provide numerous health benefits.
Of special interest is the ability of these mucopolysaccharides to lower blood fats. This was also brought to light in a 1976 study showing that Spirulina controlled the tendency and ability of cholesterol and other lipoproteins to bond with arterial receptors and attach to artery walls.
Spirulina Lowers Blood Pressure
Research studies show that Spirulina was able to cause a significant change in vascular tone by increasing the synthesis and release of nitric oxide and by decreasing the synthesis and release of a vasoconstricting substance from the endothelial cells.
Spirulina Is Anti-Viral
A 1998 study conducted at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute at Harvard Medical School has also given us some positive news. Using an aqueous extract of Spirulina, researchers were able to inhibit the replication of the HIV-1 virus in human T-cells of the immune system, mononuclear blood cells and Langerhans cells of the pancreas. While this was a test-tube study, it tends to confirm what is seen in animals fed Spirulina or Spirulina extracts. A 1993 issue of Phytotherapy Research reported scientists feeding Spirulina extract to hamsters infected with a lethal form of Herpes Simplex Virus. Hamsters had prolonged survival times and increased survival rates when fed Spirulina extract before infection. Taking Spirulina While no official guidelines for recommended daily intake have been established at this time, many experts suggest 3,000 mg per day as a preventive, healthy dose, ideally taken with food in servings of powder, capsules or tablets. For therapeutic use, 10,000 mg and even 20,000 mg per day is indicated. Spirulina is available in forms that are convenient to take, easy to digest, have no saturated fat, and have not been treated with nor contain chemicals or pesticides. Spirulina is a nutritional wonder food.
A Colorful Conclusion
While many dietary supplements and foods regularly "pop" on the market with a big bang, they frequently become short lived, trendy items without strong science behind them. Although long known to man, green plants, earth's most ancient foods, have now emerged as the world's newest nutritional wonders. They hold the power to nourish, protect and heal, the body, extending
lifespan at the same time. Because the research on Spirulina is extensive, thorough and very convincing, we believe it will be a world powerfood of the future. New green food supplements are always in development. Interest and purchases of Spirulina and green food supplements are rising steadily, as people are being given an opportunity to learn a great deal more about them and their exceptional health benefits. The time has come for the power of green foods and green food supplements to be unleashed into the world food chain to improve the health regimens of
people everywhere. Whether the choice is tablets, capsules or green food powders to mix into juices and other beverages for a healthy treat, the future of health is green!
What is Kinesiology & Muscle Testing?
Kinesiology is a brand new branch of science which was developed by doctors, chiropractors and
acupuncturists in the U.S.A. They pooled their knowledge and added it to Chinese medicine to develop a totally new technology which is amazingly efficient at balancing the body so that it can return to excellent health, energy and emotional strength. It stands apart from any other type of health technology largely due to it's use of revolutionary muscle testing. Kinesiology is a truly 'holistic' system, because it looks at the whole person (not just at selected parts). When you step on a cat's tail, it's the other end that screams! Kinesiology as looks at all types of stresses which can cause disease. They include emotional, nutritional, structural and electrical stress The basis of Kinesiology is that the body is like an electrical piece of equipment, which is controlled by an incredibly complex computer, namely the brain. The brain is continually in communication with each of the 639 muscles in the body. If a muscle is electrically in balance, it is possible to measure a constant electrical signal from the brain to that muscle and back again, much the same as two faxes 'talking' to each other. However, when the body is overstressed (through a chemical, emotional, structural or electrical cause), the electrical signals in one or more muscles go weak. It is like a fuse in your fusebox blowing. The body figures that it is better to blow a fuse than the whole thing. This is the basis of muscle testing, which is the main tool used in kinesiology. For example, if a person has a particular muscle in their arm 'out of balance' (as we say), then they will not be able to hold their arm in a certain position when the kinesiologist applies pressure to it. This is particularly significant when you realize that many different parts of the body are in communication with many other parts of the body. That is,
Muscles communicate with muscles
Muscles communicate with organs
Organs communicate with muscles
Organs communicate with organs
In the above example, the muscle itself may have been weakened. However, if it is the particular muscle that communicates with the stomach, the muscle may be weak because the stomach is out of balance. In another example, a person may have a weak bladder because their bladder is out of balance. However, the bladder communicates with the ankle muscles and therefore a weak bladder may have been caused by weak ankle muscles. (This has been shown in kinesiology when people with incontinence have stopped needing to go to the toilet after their ankle muscles have been rebalanced). It is virtually impossible to completely heal the body without taking the whole picture into account. Once the weakness is located through muscle testing, the kinesiologist then 'talks' to the body. The body can answer "yes" or "no" with a strong or weak muscle. For example, by use of muscle testing the kinesiologist can ask the body any of the following questions.
What caused this muscle to go out of balance? If it was a chemical he can ask the body what specific food or other substance caused the body to go out of balance. If it was a deficiency, he can find out what food will re-strengthen the body. Muscle testing shows whether a particular food weakens, is neutral to, or strengthens a particular body. Every body is different at different times. When a body is well balanced, foods which were previously weakening may become neutral, and neutral foods may become strengthening. If it was an emotion which caused the imbalance, the kinesiologist can ask the body via muscle testing what specific emotion is it? Once the emotion is identified, the kinesiologist can then do an extremely simple technique called emotional stress release. If the person went out of balance due to an electrical cause (which is quite common), it can be determined whether this is being caused by an electric blanket, microwave oven, computer, pager, car, television or whatever else you think of. Many people go seriously out of balance by simply using an electric blanket, eating microwaved food or by spending 7 hours with a computer. After the cause is located the person can remove the offending piece of equipment, or ask the kinesiologist to rebalance them to a new strength, so that next time they are around the piece of equipment for an extended period of time they will stay in balance. The brain is like a computer - This process of rebalancing is like reprogramming a computer. A little-known fact is that many crystals are just the same as food - they can either weaken, be neutral to, or strengthen the body. A number of people are seriously out-of-balance due to the crystals that they wear in order to 'strengthen' themselves! This is one reason why kinesiology is such a boon to any type of healer. As people get more and more specific communication back from their body, they usually begin to take responsibility for their own health and have more knowledge of how to do that. When a big, tough guy sees that a puny girl can easily push his arm down when she says "cigarettes" or "sugar", he often begins to think seriously about giving them up. Many people don't feel like giving up harmful habits because someone else has told them that they should - but when their own body starts telling them in no uncertain terms that those habits are weakening it, then that is another matter. Whether or not the cause of the imbalance is identified, the kinesiologist is able to ask the body which particular areas of the body should be touched in what particular way to correct the imbalance. The brain becomes aware of the problem and finds the electrical pathways which were blocked or forgotten about, and rectifies the situation. Typically people notice an immediate (and hopefully long-lasting) absence of pain in the troubled area - and within a few days afterwards many of any other symptoms go away.
THE CLOACALS
One of the reasons why some types of alternative treatments do not work as well on some people as they do on others, or have lasting effects, is because the right treatment is not being done in the correct order of priorities. There are a few BASIC electrical systems which must be in balance if the body is to recover to full health. Unfortunately, it appears by simple observation that most people do not have all of these basic systems in place. The most important systems to have in place is the Centering System. This is taught in Applied Kinesiology. The test to see if the Centering System is balance is simple - simply give a light slap on the person's upper arm. Then muscle test. If they then test weak, that means that the simple slap was more stress than their body can handle. There are three parts to the Centering System. One, two or all three may be out of balance. One of these is called Cloacals. One is called "Gaits", which is related to walking. The other is the Hyoid bone of the throat.STRUCTURAL CORRECTIONS
It is the muscles which hold up the skeleton, not the other way around. Therefore, many structural
problems are caused, not because the bones are doing anything, but because some of the muscles holding them up have gone weak - and so the muscles on the other side of the bone have pulled the bone over. Therefore, if we want to make a permanent correction to a bone, we must locate which muscles went out of balance and rebalance them. Again, it would be preferable to find what type of stress caused the muscle to go weak in the first place, to prevent the problem from reoccurring. One of the very best forms of kinesiology for correcting structural problems is called Neurological Organization Technique (N.O.T.). It was developed by genius Carl Ferreri from New York.
ILEO-CAECAL VALVE
Many people's physical problems start with something out of balance in the digestive system, which is hardly surprising when you see what most people consider to be food - Muscle testing shows that many of the foods that we regularly eat have negative effects on the body.
The ileo-caecal valve is an important part of the digestive system, and the ileo-caecal valve correction is one of the most important in kinesiology.
I had been told for a number of years that spirulina was THE health food, but did not believe it until
something special happened to me. I was at a kinesiology seminar. I had known at school and university that my mind needed a break after 50 minutes of study. This was backed up later in other seminars where they used super learning. If the brain is given a break every 50 minutes for 5-10 minutes, it takes up where it left off and is greatly refreshed. This enhances learning and retention. Without this break, concentration goes way down. I had told my teacher David Bridgman this, but on the seminar he was obviously ignoring my advice. After two hours
straight, I was exhausted. My brain was numb. I could absorb no new information. It was an informal and fun class. There were about twenty of us seated in chairs in a circle facing the whiteboard. Many present, including the teacher, were my friends. So, I did just what my body was telling me to do - I lay down in the foetal position on the carpet in front of my chair and closed my eyes. I could hear David laughingly tell me to get up, to manifest energy. I ignored him. Then I heard him tell someone to stick some spirulina in my mouth. Two spirulina tablets were stuck in my mouth by someone. The weird thing was, even though I was determined to stay there until David gave us a break, some how the spirulina made my body feel so good that within a minute I was back sitting in my chair! David explained then that mental exercise exhausts RNA from the brain, and spirulina is an excellent source for RNA. There is an Applied Kinesiology test which uses muscle testing to test for RNA deficiency. The testor touches the bridge of the nose with one hand, and then muscle tests (with their other arm) one arm of the client. If the client's arm tests weak (when previously it was strong), there is an RNA deficiency. If the person tested then takes some spirulina, the weak test can usually turn into a strong test. (Other points on the body that show different areas for testing for deficiency and excess of different vitamins, minerals etc. are shown in Dr Sheldon Deal's Basic Applied Kinesiology Workshop Manual).
If you are tired or mentally drained, taking spirulina can make a big difference, quickly. Unlike caffeine, it is helping your body by providing nutrients etc., not just acting like a drug to drain your adrenals.
The Key Features of Spirulina are:
· Rich in antioxidants
· Boosts energy and cellular health
· Ecologicaly grown in USA, in the California desert; pesticide and herbicide free
· More than 60% easy-to-digest all-vegetable protine.
· Rare food source of the essential fatty acid GLA
· High in B-12 and easy-to-absorb iron
A serving size of 6 500 mg Tablets (3 g) contains:
Protein 1.7 g (4% DV). Including of Alanine (144 mg), Arginine (141 mg), Aspartic acid (195 mg),
Cystine (18 mg), Glutamic Acid (297 mg), Glycine (96 mg), Histidine (30 mg), Isoleucine (102 mg), Leucine (174 mg), Lysine (99 mg), Methionine (39 mg), Phenylalanine (87 mg), Proline (78 mg), Serine (96 mg), Threonine (96 mg),Trytophan (27 mg), Tyrosine (81 mg), Valine (114 mg)
· Carbohydrates 0.5 g · Fats 0.2 g · Vitamins including Vitamin A 4000IU (80% DV), Vitamin K (17 mcg), Thiamine B1 (0.03 mg), Riboflavin B2 (0.06 mg), Niacin B3 (0.35 mg), Vitamin B12 2.8 mcg (45% DV) · Minerals in an easy-to-absorb form including Calcium (7 mg), Iron 1.5 mg (8% DV), Magnesium (7 mg), Zinc (45 mcg), Manganese (50 mcg), Copper (12 mcg), Chromium (<15 mcg),Sodium (15 mg), Potassium (40 mg) · Phytonutrients including Phycocyanin (420 mg), Polysaccharides (200 mg), Sulfolipids (40 mg), SOD (5000 Units), Chlorophyll (30 mg), Gamma Linolenic Acid (30 mg), Linoleic Acid (27 mg), Mixed carotenoids (8 mg), Lutein (1.5mg)
Super nutrition for the 21St century
By Gary Bushkin, PhD, CNC and Estitta Bushkin, PhD, CNC
Spirulina is believed by anthropologists and biologists to be the oldest living plant on the planet. This "old faithful" has provided complete nutrition, unmatched in value, for over 3.5 million years. Only in the past 75 years have we become familiar with Spirulina, a sleeping powder keg of "green power" that has the potential to become the prime choice for a world super food of the future.
Good Greens
Spirulina is one of approximately 1,500 species of microscopic aquatic plants called blue-green micro algae that have inhabited the earth for several million years. In it's natural state, Spirulina has been discovered in the lakes and waterways of Africa, Central America and South America. During the 15th and 16th centuries, the Aztec Indians of Mexico regularly harvested Spirulina for food from natural green lakes and ponds. Native cooks mixed it with maize (cornmeal) to make green pancakes that were a staple of their simple diet. Currently, there are two common varieties of this spiral shaped blue-green algae currently being cultivated and harvested for human consumption, known as Spirulina maxima and Spirulina platensis.
Harvestinq Spirulina
Today, Spirulina is extensively harvested in tank environments that are set up to provide growing
conditions that mimic it's ideal natural habitat. Although Spirulina is cultivated around the world, the largest and most respected Spirulina "farm" is located in the hot California desert sunshine far away from polluted city air. There, from April to October, controlled cultivation of Spirulina takes place. Spirulina is grown in man-made cultivation ponds which help keep out undesirable weed algae, micro bacteria and parasites. These ponds are fed Colorado River water, minerals and carbon dioxide, needed by Spirulina for photosynthesis. Many hours each day of intense sunlight promotes rapid growth. Immediately after being harvested from these ponds, Spirulina is filtered to a thick consistency, dehydrated, and put in oxygen-protective containers. Every day, each lot is tested to ensure safety and consistent nutrient levels. The entire process --- from growing pond to powder - takes about 15 minutes. This powder is then bottled and sold as a supplement as either a powder, tablet of capsule. It is also sold as an ingredient that is used in many other dietary supplements.
Bionutritional Functions Of Spirulina
Spirulina has been blessed by nature with a huge arsenal of valuable nutrients. Of special interest is the phycocyanin, a blue pigment naturally present in large amounts. Results of a 1986 study presented at the International Association for Dental Research General Session concluded that phycocyanin was unique because of its cytostatic (suppressing formation of new cancer cell colonies) and cytotoxic (that destroy existing colonies of cancer cells) abilities. Spirulina is also naturally "pumped" with vitamins, especially the carotenoids like beta-carotene, essential fatty acids (EFA's), the important fatty acid gamma linolenic acid (GLA), digestive enzymes, minerals and the richest plant source of vitamin B12. Spirulina is the "must have" green food- a complete
protein with all eight essential amino acids present. Its 60% protein content is four times greater than beef (18%)! In our society, where the concept of complete protein is meat and dairy, it is very reassuring to know that greens like Spirulina can provide all the high quality protein and other nutrients needed.
Spirulina and Vitamin B12 Controversy
A major argument frequently used to support the consumption of animal foods in the diet and negate the tremendous value of Spirulina incorrectly states that plants do not contain vitamin B12. A single serving of Spirulina contains 45% of your daily value of vitamin B12. That's good news and reassuring for vegetarians, many of who are incorrectly led to believe that eating animal food is critical to getting this essential blood building vitamin.
Spirulina Research and Studies
While Spirulina research conducted over the years has clearly shown its multi-faceted health promoting effects, the two latest studies in the areas of immunomodulation and cancer protection tell the big story.
Spirulina Controls Immunomodulation and Uprequlates Immunity
Spirulina's most powerful health benefits lie in its ability to stimulate and maintain immune system
activity. The results of the Mao, Van De Water and Gershwin study, published in the Journal of Medicinal Food (2000), and conducted at the university of California at Davis School of Medicine, provide continued understanding and proof of the awesome power of Spirulina.
The study, performed on Spirulina grown by Earthrise Nutritionals, demonstrated that Spirulina was able to raise the levels of three cytokines (specialized proteins produced by immune system lymphocytes) particularly one form of interferon (IFN)-y, to 13.6 times basal levels, and two forms of interleukins, (IL)- 1 beta to 3.3 times basal levels, and IL-4, to 2.0 times basal levels. This evidence is highly convincing in terms of expanding Spirulina research and it's use in food. Earlier, the results of the Baojiang study, given at the Second Asia-Pacific Conference on Algal Biotechnology, 1994, concluded that polysaccharides of Spirulina platensis, at the dosage of 150-300 mg/kg by injection or taken orally, can increase the percentage of T-lymphocyte in the blood. The results demonstrate that Spirulina polysaccharides can improve cellular and humoral immunity. Hayashi, in the Journal of Nutritional Science Vitaminology, showed that Spirulina extract significantly enhanced interleukin-1 (IL-1) production from peritoneal macrophages. These results suggest that Spirulina enhances the immune response, particularly the primary response, by stimulating macrophage functions, phagocytosis, and IL-1 production.
Spirulina Prevents Cancer
At the 30th Annual Meeting of the Japanese Society for Immunology in November 2000, breakthrough research was reported by the Osaka Institute of Public Health. Spirulina, in conjunction with BCG-CWS, a cell wall component derived from Tubercle bacillus; was able to enhance the anti-tumor propagation effect of BCG-CWS. This inhibitory effect occurred because Spirulina upregulated the tumor destroying activity of natural killer (NK) cells and the cytokine interferon gamma. This heightened activity was observed 1-2 weeks after initiating Spirulina use, continuing 12- 24 weeks after treatment ceased. Researchers believe that the clinical findings support the serious potential for Spirulina as an Immunotherapy agent. Mishima and colleagues reported in Clinical & Experimental Metastasis, 1998, that Ca-SP, calcium spirulan isolated from Spirulina platensis, could reduce the lung metastasis of B16-BL6 melanoma cells by inhibiting the tumor invasion of basement membrane probably through the prevention of the adhesion and migration of tumor cells.
Spirulina Is A Powerful Antioxidant
As a food additive, Spirulina maxima contains beta-carotene, tocopherols and phenolic acids, which are proven to exhibit antioxidant properties. The antioxidant activity of Spirulina can be attributed to phycocyanin, the blue pigment found in blue-green algae that contains phytochemicals with scavenging properties. The Miranda study (1998), published in the Brazilian Journal of Medical and Biological Research, demonstrated a 71 % antioxidant capacity for the group taking the Spirulina extract and 54% for the group that did not, indicating strong antioxidant protection. The results obtained indicate that Spirulina provides some antioxidant protection for both in vitro and in vivo systems. The Romay study demonstrated that phycocyanin is able to scavenge the very dangerous hydroxy radical and inhibit the oxidation of lipids in the liver.
Spirulina Is Cardioprotective
At the Avinashilingam Institute for Home Science, Deemed University in Coimbatore, India, Ramamoorthy and colleagues tested the effects of Spirulina on patients with a combination of high cholesterol (above 250 mg/dI) and ischemic heart disease. They concluded that Spirulina plays a key role, lowering blood cholesterol levels and improving lipid profiles. Spirulina's cell wall is unique too. It is made up of mucopolysaccharides that provide numerous health benefits.
Of special interest is the ability of these mucopolysaccharides to lower blood fats. This was also brought to light in a 1976 study showing that Spirulina controlled the tendency and ability of cholesterol and other lipoproteins to bond with arterial receptors and attach to artery walls.
Spirulina Lowers Blood Pressure
Research studies show that Spirulina was able to cause a significant change in vascular tone by increasing the synthesis and release of nitric oxide and by decreasing the synthesis and release of a vasoconstricting substance from the endothelial cells.
Spirulina Is Anti-Viral
A 1998 study conducted at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute at Harvard Medical School has also given us some positive news. Using an aqueous extract of Spirulina, researchers were able to inhibit the replication of the HIV-1 virus in human T-cells of the immune system, mononuclear blood cells and Langerhans cells of the pancreas. While this was a test-tube study, it tends to confirm what is seen in animals fed Spirulina or Spirulina extracts. A 1993 issue of Phytotherapy Research reported scientists feeding Spirulina extract to hamsters infected with a lethal form of Herpes Simplex Virus. Hamsters had prolonged survival times and increased survival rates when fed Spirulina extract before infection. Taking Spirulina While no official guidelines for recommended daily intake have been established at this time, many experts suggest 3,000 mg per day as a preventive, healthy dose, ideally taken with food in servings of powder, capsules or tablets. For therapeutic use, 10,000 mg and even 20,000 mg per day is indicated. Spirulina is available in forms that are convenient to take, easy to digest, have no saturated fat, and have not been treated with nor contain chemicals or pesticides. Spirulina is a nutritional wonder food.
A Colorful Conclusion
While many dietary supplements and foods regularly "pop" on the market with a big bang, they frequently become short lived, trendy items without strong science behind them. Although long known to man, green plants, earth's most ancient foods, have now emerged as the world's newest nutritional wonders. They hold the power to nourish, protect and heal, the body, extending
lifespan at the same time. Because the research on Spirulina is extensive, thorough and very convincing, we believe it will be a world powerfood of the future. New green food supplements are always in development. Interest and purchases of Spirulina and green food supplements are rising steadily, as people are being given an opportunity to learn a great deal more about them and their exceptional health benefits. The time has come for the power of green foods and green food supplements to be unleashed into the world food chain to improve the health regimens of
people everywhere. Whether the choice is tablets, capsules or green food powders to mix into juices and other beverages for a healthy treat, the future of health is green!
What is Kinesiology & Muscle Testing?
Kinesiology is a brand new branch of science which was developed by doctors, chiropractors and
acupuncturists in the U.S.A. They pooled their knowledge and added it to Chinese medicine to develop a totally new technology which is amazingly efficient at balancing the body so that it can return to excellent health, energy and emotional strength. It stands apart from any other type of health technology largely due to it's use of revolutionary muscle testing. Kinesiology is a truly 'holistic' system, because it looks at the whole person (not just at selected parts). When you step on a cat's tail, it's the other end that screams! Kinesiology as looks at all types of stresses which can cause disease. They include emotional, nutritional, structural and electrical stress The basis of Kinesiology is that the body is like an electrical piece of equipment, which is controlled by an incredibly complex computer, namely the brain. The brain is continually in communication with each of the 639 muscles in the body. If a muscle is electrically in balance, it is possible to measure a constant electrical signal from the brain to that muscle and back again, much the same as two faxes 'talking' to each other. However, when the body is overstressed (through a chemical, emotional, structural or electrical cause), the electrical signals in one or more muscles go weak. It is like a fuse in your fusebox blowing. The body figures that it is better to blow a fuse than the whole thing. This is the basis of muscle testing, which is the main tool used in kinesiology. For example, if a person has a particular muscle in their arm 'out of balance' (as we say), then they will not be able to hold their arm in a certain position when the kinesiologist applies pressure to it. This is particularly significant when you realize that many different parts of the body are in communication with many other parts of the body. That is,
Muscles communicate with muscles
Muscles communicate with organs
Organs communicate with muscles
Organs communicate with organs
In the above example, the muscle itself may have been weakened. However, if it is the particular muscle that communicates with the stomach, the muscle may be weak because the stomach is out of balance. In another example, a person may have a weak bladder because their bladder is out of balance. However, the bladder communicates with the ankle muscles and therefore a weak bladder may have been caused by weak ankle muscles. (This has been shown in kinesiology when people with incontinence have stopped needing to go to the toilet after their ankle muscles have been rebalanced). It is virtually impossible to completely heal the body without taking the whole picture into account. Once the weakness is located through muscle testing, the kinesiologist then 'talks' to the body. The body can answer "yes" or "no" with a strong or weak muscle. For example, by use of muscle testing the kinesiologist can ask the body any of the following questions.
What caused this muscle to go out of balance? If it was a chemical he can ask the body what specific food or other substance caused the body to go out of balance. If it was a deficiency, he can find out what food will re-strengthen the body. Muscle testing shows whether a particular food weakens, is neutral to, or strengthens a particular body. Every body is different at different times. When a body is well balanced, foods which were previously weakening may become neutral, and neutral foods may become strengthening. If it was an emotion which caused the imbalance, the kinesiologist can ask the body via muscle testing what specific emotion is it? Once the emotion is identified, the kinesiologist can then do an extremely simple technique called emotional stress release. If the person went out of balance due to an electrical cause (which is quite common), it can be determined whether this is being caused by an electric blanket, microwave oven, computer, pager, car, television or whatever else you think of. Many people go seriously out of balance by simply using an electric blanket, eating microwaved food or by spending 7 hours with a computer. After the cause is located the person can remove the offending piece of equipment, or ask the kinesiologist to rebalance them to a new strength, so that next time they are around the piece of equipment for an extended period of time they will stay in balance. The brain is like a computer - This process of rebalancing is like reprogramming a computer. A little-known fact is that many crystals are just the same as food - they can either weaken, be neutral to, or strengthen the body. A number of people are seriously out-of-balance due to the crystals that they wear in order to 'strengthen' themselves! This is one reason why kinesiology is such a boon to any type of healer. As people get more and more specific communication back from their body, they usually begin to take responsibility for their own health and have more knowledge of how to do that. When a big, tough guy sees that a puny girl can easily push his arm down when she says "cigarettes" or "sugar", he often begins to think seriously about giving them up. Many people don't feel like giving up harmful habits because someone else has told them that they should - but when their own body starts telling them in no uncertain terms that those habits are weakening it, then that is another matter. Whether or not the cause of the imbalance is identified, the kinesiologist is able to ask the body which particular areas of the body should be touched in what particular way to correct the imbalance. The brain becomes aware of the problem and finds the electrical pathways which were blocked or forgotten about, and rectifies the situation. Typically people notice an immediate (and hopefully long-lasting) absence of pain in the troubled area - and within a few days afterwards many of any other symptoms go away.
THE CLOACALS
One of the reasons why some types of alternative treatments do not work as well on some people as they do on others, or have lasting effects, is because the right treatment is not being done in the correct order of priorities. There are a few BASIC electrical systems which must be in balance if the body is to recover to full health. Unfortunately, it appears by simple observation that most people do not have all of these basic systems in place. The most important systems to have in place is the Centering System. This is taught in Applied Kinesiology. The test to see if the Centering System is balance is simple - simply give a light slap on the person's upper arm. Then muscle test. If they then test weak, that means that the simple slap was more stress than their body can handle. There are three parts to the Centering System. One, two or all three may be out of balance. One of these is called Cloacals. One is called "Gaits", which is related to walking. The other is the Hyoid bone of the throat.STRUCTURAL CORRECTIONS
It is the muscles which hold up the skeleton, not the other way around. Therefore, many structural
problems are caused, not because the bones are doing anything, but because some of the muscles holding them up have gone weak - and so the muscles on the other side of the bone have pulled the bone over. Therefore, if we want to make a permanent correction to a bone, we must locate which muscles went out of balance and rebalance them. Again, it would be preferable to find what type of stress caused the muscle to go weak in the first place, to prevent the problem from reoccurring. One of the very best forms of kinesiology for correcting structural problems is called Neurological Organization Technique (N.O.T.). It was developed by genius Carl Ferreri from New York.
ILEO-CAECAL VALVE
Many people's physical problems start with something out of balance in the digestive system, which is hardly surprising when you see what most people consider to be food - Muscle testing shows that many of the foods that we regularly eat have negative effects on the body.
The ileo-caecal valve is an important part of the digestive system, and the ileo-caecal valve correction is one of the most important in kinesiology.
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