PROPERTIES

• It is the super nutriment par excellence (HOSSEINI & al, 2013)!
• It is recognized by the WHO as an ideal source for nutritional recovery, mainly protein (MOREIRA & al, 2013).
• It improves growth and fertility (GUARDIN & ANDRÉANI, 2005).
• It is rich in hyper digestible proteins (70%, twice as much as soy),in vitamins including beta carotene and vitamins B, mineral salts (iron, twice as much as meat), Ca, Mn, Mg, Zn, Cu, Na, Se, K, Cr) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) (KAPOOR & MEHTA, 1993 ; SIMPORE & al, 2006).
• It contains the eight essential amino acids: isoleucine, leucine, valine, lysine, methionine, threonine, tryptophan, phenylalanine.
• It contains phycocyanine, a spirulina-specific pigment that stimulates the immune system by increasing cell differentiation of the white and red lines in the bone marrow and is also a powerful anti-oxidant (ZANG, 1994).
• The anti-oxidant action of spirulina is explained by the inhibition of the formation of hydroxyl and peroxyl radicals as well as lipid peroxidation. It inactivates oxide anions (BERMEJO & al, 2008 ; MUGA & CHAO, 2014).
• It reduces lesions from in utero maternal and new-born poisoning by toxins stored in the hippocampus, resulting in decreased natural antioxidant defences, DNA damage and free radical production (GARGOURI & al, 2012).
• It reduces the toxicity of heavy metals (mercury, lead, copper) (GAD & al, 2011).
• It stimulates endonucleases, repairing enzymes of damaged DNA (PIMERO ESTRADA & al, 2001 ; PONG, 1988).
• It stimulates immunity: Peyer’s patches Ig levels, IFN levels, T-helper levels, and stimulates monocyte functions of macrophages (TNF production, IL1, IL8 and phagocytosis) (GRZANNA & al, 2006 ; LOBNER & al, 2008 ; QURESHI & al, 1996).
• In athletes, it normalizes CD3⁺ and CD4⁺ levels (MILASIUS & al, 2009), increases physical performance, glutathion peroxidase, and decreases exercise-induced lipid peroxidation (KALAFATI & al, 2010).