Spirulina: useful properties and contraindications, how to take for weight loss

The benefits and harms of spirulina is a question that interests primarily fans of home cosmetology. To answer it, you need to understand the properties of algae and study how to use it.

What is spirulina and what is it for

Spirulina is a blue-green microalgae found in alkaline lake waters around the globe. The plant is widely known due to its unique composition from a biochemical point of view. According to the video about spirulina, it not only appeared on Earth several hundred million years ago, but has not undergone any changes during all this time.

The first mentions of this algae can be found in very ancient sources, for example, the Aztec tribes used spirulina for food. Currently, the plant is used not only in cooking, but also in cosmetology, as well as in medicine and is in great esteem.

Vitamins and Minerals in Spirulina

The peculiarity of blue-green algae is that it contains more than 100 of the most valuable chemicals. In particular, it contains in large volumes:

• complete group of B vitamins;
• vitamins C and E;
• vitamins A and A1;
• vitamins H;
• nicotinic acid PP;
• minerals iron, calcium, zinc and magnesium;
• potassium and selenium;
• digestive enzymes;
• organic salts;
• nucleotides;
• fatty acid.

Of the vitamins in algae, only vitamin D is lacking, but it can be obtained from other foods. There is a lot of vitamin B12 in the plant - about 3 daily norms in just 10 g of the product.

Nutritional information and calories of spirulina

Spirulina is an incredibly rich in protein alga. In terms of protein content, it is much ahead of even beef and, by the way, thanks to this, it is especially popular among vegetarians.

100 g of dried product contains about 57 g of protein and 24 g of carbohydrates, while fats are only 7 g and occupy a small volume. The calorie content of algae per 100 g is 290 kcal.

How spirulina is useful for the body

Due to its unique composition, algae has a beneficial effect on almost all systems of the human body. Namely:

• spirulina strengthens the immune system, prevents colds;
• takes care of digestion and removes toxins from the intestines;
• cleanses the blood and strengthens blood vessels, protects the heart system from ailments;
• helps in liver function and reduces bad cholesterol;
• is the prevention of cancer;
• improves the functioning of the thyroid gland, spirulina is highly valued in hypothyroidism;
• has a beneficial effect on the brain and mental activity;
• has a calming effect on the nervous system and regulates sleep;
• improves the condition of the skin and hair, promotes cell rejuvenation;
• protects blood vessels from arthritis and arthrosis.

Spirulina is very useful for diabetes - it normalizes the functioning of all internal organs and maintains blood sugar levels within normal limits. Therefore, when using it, many complications are avoided.

Benefits of spirulina for women

The main benefit of spirulina for women lies precisely in the anti-aging properties of the plant. Algae helps to cope with dry or oily skin, spirulina is useful for acne and acne. With regular use of algae, the condition of the hair is significantly improved.

Also, the fair sex use algae for weight loss. Spirulina on an empty stomach or when added to various dishes helps to accelerate metabolism and fat burning, so extra pounds go away very quickly when used.

The benefits of spirulina for men

The benefits of the spirulina seaweed for the male body is a beneficial effect on the genitourinary system. Algae relieves symptoms of prostatitis and prostate adenoma, has a beneficial effect on potency and enhances libido. When using algae-based drugs, hormonal levels improve, and overall endurance increases.

Spirulina for children

Blue-green algae is absolutely safe for babies' diets. It saturates the child's body with all useful substances, protects against anemia, prevents vision diseases and improves immunity. The use of seaweed has a beneficial effect on the mental development of the child and increases the ability to concentrate.

You can give the drug to children both in powder and in tablets. The dietary supplement can be mixed with purees and juices, milk and honey. To begin with, only 0.5 g of spirulina per day is introduced into the child's diet, gradually the portion can be increased to 2 g. You can even add useful algae to food for babies.

Can pregnant and lactating women drink spirulina?

During childbearing, algae will be very useful - it contains a lot of folic acid, valuable for the fetus, and other essential substances. Algae will contribute to the healthy development of the baby's cardiovascular and nervous system, as well as protect the woman from anemia and help maintain the beauty of the skin and hair until the very end of pregnancy.

Algae contains a lot of calcium, and this is also a very useful property, since many women in position begin to experience a lack of this element.

While breastfeeding, spirulina will also benefit, but women are advised to closely monitor the baby's reactions. Too large doses of vitamins and minerals can also be harmful, it is necessary to control the daily dosage of a useful supplement.

Instructions for the use of spirulina tablets

Spirulina medicinal algae is most often taken in tablet form. The dosage is indicated in the instructions and usually depends on the purpose of use. The drug can be taken with water, it is allowed to use it both before meals and together with vegetable or fruit juices, salads, soups.

Taking spirulina before or after meals? It depends on the state of the body. For example, in case of diarrhea, tablets should be taken with food, but when treating constipation, the drug is drunk on an empty stomach and washed down with plenty of plain water.

As for the effect of spirulina on blood pressure, it is better to use it for hypotonic patients. But with chronically high pressure with the use of algae, you should be careful - it can be harmful.

For prevention

The prophylactic dosage of spirulina depends on age and condition. So, adults need to take 3 g of supplements per day, pregnant women are advised to use only 2 g of supplements, and the daily dosage for children is only 1-2 g.

For the treatment of various diseases

Spirulina treatment requires higher dosages. For adult men and women, the daily allowance will be about 5 g, for women in position - no more than 2 g, and children are allowed to take the same 1-2 g of medicine per day.

How to drink spirulina for weight loss

The benefits of spirulina in tablets can be clearly manifested during weight loss - the alga will help remove toxins from the body, normalize the digestive process. It is recommended to take a couple of tablets of the drug daily for a month, shortly before meals, without exceeding the daily norm of spirulina. When using the supplement, the diet will bring the best effect, the benefit will be that not only the extra pounds will go away, but the body will also retain all the vitamins and nutrients.

Spirulina in home cosmetology

Blue-green algae is widely recognized for its beneficial cosmetic properties. It is used to improve skin tone and to strengthen hair, for general rejuvenation and to get rid of the "orange peel".

Spirulina face masks

Valuable vitamins and natural acids in the algae nourish the skin and regulate the water balance. Spirulina helps against wrinkles, its properties contribute to the early rejuvenation of cells and fight inflammation. For example, to tone the face and tighten the skin, you can apply the following mask:

• 5 tablets of spirulina are poured with a small amount of warm water;
• the dissolved agent is stirred until a homogeneous semi-liquid mass;
• a thin layer of the mask is distributed over the skin and left for half an hour.

If you carry out the procedure every day for a week, then in a few days significant improvements will be noticeable, the skin will be smoothed, become more elastic, and will acquire a healthy, even color.

Spirulina hair masks

The healing properties of spirulina also have a very positive effect on the condition of the curls. With regular use of the product, you can stop hair loss and cope with split ends, give curls a beautiful shine and additional volume.

The following simple mask is beneficial:

• several tablets of spirulina are dissolved in a couple of large tablespoons of water;
• stir until the viscous mixture becomes homogeneous;
• evenly apply the mass to the hair and leave for a quarter of an hour.

Then you need to wash your head with plain warm water. If you use spirulina for hair growth at least twice a week, then very soon the curls will become much larger and more attractive.

Spirulina wrap

The benefits of spirulina for the skin are manifested not only in face masks - the healing algae helps to cope with cellulite and stretch marks. Wraps are used for the whole body, and they are done as follows:

• 4 large spoons of natural yogurt are mixed with 2 large spoons of honey;
• add 2 large tablespoons of algae powder;
• mix the ingredients thoroughly to achieve complete homogeneity;
• the resulting mass is distributed over problem areas - the stomach, buttocks and thighs.

After that, you need to wrap the treated areas in cling film, lie on the sofa and cover yourself with a warm blanket to create a thermal effect. You need to keep the healthy mixture on the body for half an hour, after which it is washed off with warm water.

It is recommended to do wraps twice a week, then the benefits from them will be maximum, and they will not bring harm.

The use of spirulina in cooking

The benefits and harms of spirulina for the body are manifested in cooking. For cooking, it is customary to use dried seaweed, they are often added to salads and side dishes, sprinkled with them on soups, meat or fish.

Spirulina harm and contraindications

The benefits of spirulina for the human body are not unconditional - sometimes algae can cause harm. It should not be used for any purpose when:

• chronic kidney disease;
• hypertension;
• autoimmune diseases.

Also, spirulina does not work well with medications. Do not drink it at the same time as medications or home remedies that thin the blood, such as ginger, garlic, and turmeric.

Side effects of spirulina usually occur with an overdose or taking too long a medicinal supplement. In particular, harm can be expressed in dizziness, nausea, and sometimes even fainting. If the permitted standards are exceeded, an allergy to spirulina may appear, although normally it is almost impossible to encounter it.

Which is better: spirulina, kelp or chlorella

The three beneficial edible algae are popular in home medicine and cosmetology. Therefore, the question often arises - which of them has the most valuable properties?

• Spirulina for health it is useful mainly in that it improves immunity due to the high content of antioxidants. Also, algae promotes rapid weight loss, and is also used to heal wounds and skin irritations.
• Chlorella is especially rich in chlorophyll, therefore its main useful property is the effective cleansing of the body from toxins.
• Kelp due to its high iodine content, it is especially useful for the thyroid gland and the digestive system. It has the most pleasant taste, which is why it is often used in cooking.

The properties of algae are in many ways similar, nevertheless, some valuable properties are highlighted in kelp, spirulina and chlorella more than others. Therefore, it is impossible to name the objectively best plant, which alga will be more useful, depends on the specific purposes of application.

How to choose the right spirulina

In pharmacies and specialty stores, seaweed is sold in three forms - in tablets, in powder or in granules, which also contain a crushed preparation.

1. When buying a dietary supplement, you need to pay attention to the manufacturer. The highest quality product is offered by Indian, American, Japanese and Russian companies.
2. The best and most environmentally friendly supplement comes from India.
3. But Chinese drugs are often not of acceptable quality and may contain harmful substances.

Before buying, you need to carefully inspect the packaging of the drug; the certified product must bear the inscription "organic", indicating its natural origin.

Spirulina shelf life

It is necessary to keep a useful drug, regardless of the form of release, in a dark and cool place without the accumulation of excessive moisture. The algae retains its valuable properties for exactly 2 years.

Conclusion

The benefits and harms of spirulina depend mainly on the dosage and the absence of contraindications. If you take a biological supplement strictly according to the instructions, then it will not cause harm, but it will noticeably improve the condition of the body.

Reviews of doctors

Reviews of losing weight