More Information
What is Spirulina?
Spirulina (Arthrospira platensis) is a simple, one celled form of algae that thrives in warm, alkaline fresh-water. It is one of the blue-green algae due to the presence of both chlorophyll (green) and phycocyanin (blue) pigments in its cellular structure. The name ‘Spirulina’ is derived from the latin word for ‘helix’ or ‘spiral’, denoting the physical configuration of the organism when it forms swirling, microscopic strands.
Algae can be viewed as the start of the food chain, and as expected research revealed the nutritional values of spirulina have proven to be densely packed with nutrients, protein, enzymes, chlorophyll and species-specific bio actives. Spirulina is 69% complete protein, with all the essential Amino Acids in perfect balance. In comparison beef is only 22% protein. In addition, Spirulina is one of the few plant sources of vitamin B12, usually found only in animal tissues.
Spirulina also provides high concentrations of many other nutrients – chelated minerals, pigments, rhamnose sugars (complex natural plant sugars), trace elements, enzymes (SOD), and Essential Fatty Acids (both linoleic and linolenic acid) – that are all in an easily assimilable form.
Also available in powder form:
Viridian 100% Organic Spirulina Powder 100g.