Can Spirulina Help Arthritis?

Spirulina is a blue-green algae that grows wild in warm, slightly alkaline, freshwater lakes in Central and South America and Africa, and is cultivated in the United States, Mexico and India. It is prized as a nutritional supplement.

History

• Occupants of ninth century Chad, a country in Central Africa, harvested Spirulina and dried it into cakes. Their ancestors still enjoy the nutritious algae as a condiment today. Spirulina was also gathered by ancient Aztecs and other tribes of the Americas as a concentrated and nourishing food. NASA has considered Spirulina for space travel and the World Health Organization recommends the algae for undernourished children.

Features

• Known as a superfood, Spirulina is rich in complete proteins, containing all eight essential amino acids. A good source of Omega-3 fatty acids, blue-green algae is the origin of healthy oils found in fish further up the food chain. Spirulina contains trace minerals, iron, B vitamins, and vitamins D and E.

Function

• Spirulina's unique and rare blue pigment, phycocyanin, is a powerful antioxidant that protects against damage in connective tissue cells. After Cuban researchers induced arthritis in mice, they fed them Spirulina. Examining the knee joints, scientist concluded that Spirulina had reversed the arthritis effects, probably because of phycocyanin's actions.

Benefits

• Spirulina also holds promise for its immune-boosting effects. In 2008, researchers in Turkey found Spirulina to be clinically effective against allergic rhinitis, according to the European Archives Otorhinolaryngology. The algae has also been studied with good results in HIV-positive children.

Warning

• Spirulina is sold in powder and tablet form. Because heavy metal pollution in water can effect the safety and quality of Spirulina products, be sure to purchase from a reputable company.