This may not be something you’ll grow in your herb garden this year, in fact, it’s not necessarily an herb…but it’s green and it grows, so it has my attention. It’s nutritional qualities are well known by many. The picture is not an attractive one, it looks like little worms or parasites, doesn’t it? But they are algae strands, and by looking at the spiral shape, you can see why this algae is called “Spirulina”.
Spirulina is a blue-green algae, long before a company decided to make blue-green algae their primary product, I was taking the powder in capsule form. It contains the complete spectrum of 8 amino acids, is high in protein, chlorophyll, and beneficial minerals. There are very few “plant” sources for vitamin B12, and Spirulina is one of them. I still use a liquid B12 as sources I’ve read show there are still concerns as to the the bodies ability to use the B12 in Spirulina…it’s “bio-availability” is in question.
Some like to take Spirulina before their meals, and feel that is suppresses the appetite. It is so rich in protein and nutrients, that it may satisfy cravings for certain foods so that you are not inclined to eat as much.
Though Spirulina grows naturally, it is also cultivated in the waters of warmer climates. If you are interested in trying Spirulina, click here.
Thank you for reading!
Never really knew much about spirulina, except that anytime I’ve had it in anything, smoothie, blender shake, etc., I always feel fantastic. Now I understand why.
Great blog. (Nice business cards–love purple, too!)
July 16th, 2008 at 2:00 pm