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Food Nutrition of Spirulina Blue Green Algae

Spirulina, a tiny type of blue green freshwater algae commonly used in Japan, is a nutritional powerhouse, containing more protein per gram than either red meat or soy. The only drawback appears to be the price.

  1. Protein

    • Spirulina contains between 65 and 71 percent biologically complete protein with only 3.9 calories per gram.

    Amino Acids

    • Spirulina contains all eight essential amino acids and ten out of twelve non-essential amino acids.

    Vitamins & Minerals

    • Spirulina contains vitamins E, B1, B2, B6, B12, biotin, pantothenic acid, folic acid, inositol, niacin and the carotenoids necessary for vitamin A production. Spirulina is abundant in minerals, including: potassium, calcium, magnesium, manganese, zinc, selenium, iron and phosphorus. There are miniscule amounts of sodium.

    Enzymatic Pigments

    • Pigments are necessary to balance metabolism; spirulina contains chlorophyll, phycocyanin and porphyrin.

    Lipids

    • Spirulina is seven percent lipid. The majority of these lipids are in the form of fatty acids, which are necessary for the body to create prostaglandins.

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