Spirulina aids allergy sufferersNote from Carolyn:
This looks like a supplement to investigate if you have allergies, like to exercise or need to lose weight.
Article continues ...
Spirulina
is a blue-green algae which is commercially produced and widely marketed as a
"superfood" and immune booster. It is also a rich source of natural, plant-based
iron, calcium, vitamin A and vitamin C, and an excellent source of plant
protein, with up to 70% of its dry weight being protein. The alpha-linolenic
acid profile in spirulina is the highest in the plant kingdom, coming in third
overall behind milk and evening primrose oil.
Cytokines and interferons tell the body it may be getting sickA study
published in the Spring 2005 isssue of the Journal of Medicinal Food
indicated that ingested spirulina made a significant improvement in human
patients with nasal allergies, also known as allergic rhinitis. In this study,
researchers measured the amount of cytokines, interferon, and other immune
system signals found in the bloodstream before and after taking spirulina.
Cytokines are immune system molecules which send signals to alert immune
"fighters" to come to the body's aid when a pathogen is encountered. They act as
auto-immune communicators. Cytokines can be either proteins, glycoproteins, or
peptides.
According to the University of South Carolina School of
Medicine, interferons are another type of immune system signal. They work by
binding to receptors located on cell membranes, sending a "red alert" message to
the cells. Cells then respond to this message by triggering 20-30 genes which
then create an anti-viral cellular environment.
Eating spirulina every day significantly improves allergy symtomsThe
spirulina study was a typical randomized, double-blind clinical study. Allergic
rhinitis sufferers were given either a placebo or a daily dose of either 1000 mg
or 2000 mg spirulina for twelve weeks. There was no improvement for the
participants taking the placebo. There was also no notable improvement for
participants taking 1000 mg spirulina daily. However, the allergy sufferers who
took 2000 mg spirulina every day saw significant improvement in their allergy
symptoms.
Consumption of spirulina enhances exercise performanceA January 2010
research study published in Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise
reported that spirulina had a positive impact on exercise performance. In this
study, nine physically fit men took either a placebo or spirulina for four
weeks. The men ran on a treadmill for two hours every day, running at 70-75% of
their VO2 max and 95% of their VO2 max to exhaustion. Both
exercise performance and respiratory function were measured. Blood samples were
drawn at regular intervals during the study.
The results were impressive.
The time to fatigue after the two hour run was significantly longer among the
men who took spirulina. The carbohydrate oxidation rate was decreased by over
10% and the fat burning rate was increased by almost 11% over the placebo group.
The study concluded that spirulina really does enhance exercise
performance.
Sources for this article include:
National
Institute of Health.gov. "Effects of a Spirulina-Based Dietary Supplement on
Cytokine Production From Allergic Rhinitis Patients." TK Mao, et al. Journal of
Medicinal Food, 2005 Spring; 8(1): 27-30. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15857205
Nutrition
Data. Self. com. "Self Nutrition Data" http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/vegetables-and-vegetable-products/2765/2
News-Medical.net.
"What Are Cytokines?" http://www.news-medical.net/health/What-are-Cytokines.aspx
Pathmicro.med.sc.edu.
"Interferon" http://pathmicro.med.sc.edu/mhunt/interferon.htm
National
Institute of Health.gov. Orio Ciferri, "Spirulina, the Edible Microorganism."
Microbiological Reviews, 1983, Vol 47, No. 4, pp. 551-578. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC283708/pdf/microrev00019-0101.pdf
National
Institute of Health.gov. "Ergogenic and Antioxidant Effects of Spirulina
Supplementation in Humans." M. Kalafati, et al. Medicine and Science http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC283708/pdf/microrev00019-0101.pdfin
Sports and Exercise, Jan 2010, 42(1); 142-51.
Donna Earnest Pravel - Natural News
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