Superfood Algae Supplement? Should you take it?

 

The secrets of this Algae superfood might benefit you.

Algae shield our ocean and largest sunlight harvester and primary food chain member, but do they directly benefit people? Algae have been studied extensively, which people started recently using as a superfood. Algae can be a good source of vitamins, protein, and minerals; it can also strengthen the immune system, help cleanse the body of toxins and boost your energy.

But how do algae make it from the ocean to us? Algae farms are everywhere in the world one might be in your town also. Most commercialized products are based on blue-green algae such as Spirulina and Aphanizomenon flos-aquae or green algae such as Chlorella.

Spirulina is a well-known type of algae and is most commonly used for algae supplements. It is rich in some nutrients that aren't found in the typical daily multivitamin and other sources. According to the FDA, spirulina contains significant amounts of calcium, niacin, potassium, magnesium, B vitamins and iron. It also has essential amino acids, which are the building blocks of proteins. In fact, protein makes up about 60 to 70 percent of spirulina's dry weight.
A strain that starts in a beaker can eventually produce between 10,000 and 15,000 kilos of biomass per acre a year. Algae biomass is used to make a plant-based source of omega-3 fatty acids, EPA, DHA. Also, these algae are directly desiccated and powdered and made into supplement pills. 

4 reasons to go for it Benefits

Superfood: Algae supplement fulfills most of your daily needs. It provides proteins, vitamins, and other minerals and boosts your immune system. 

Ecofriendly: for using algae-based nutrients, you are not tapping into the ocean and not disturbing the ecosystem. it can be produced in artificial tanks and don't cause harm to the environment with minimum care

Sustainable: Hydroponically grown algae requires less space per cubic centimeter and delivers more nutrients per acre than any other crop. 

Vegetarian and Vegan friendly: 

The omega-3 found in algae is safer than fish oil, and it's vegan and doesn't go rancid like a fish oil can. In addition, people with shellfish allergies or dietary restrictions on animal products can get their omega-3 from algae instead.

Alarm for precautions: (negative side)

Food supplements from blue-green algae do more harm than good.

Dietary supplements containing different types of algae claim to be rich in minerals that help improve mental acuity and concentration. While many of these products are neither beneficial nor harmful, products containing blue-green algae have raised serious concerns. Many consumers have repeatedly complained about pain and discomfort after consumption. A German toxicologist Prof. Dr. Daniel Dietrich from the University of Konstanz carried out a study. They tested all algae products available in Germany for contamination with toxic substances. The results have raised serious doubts about the suitability of such algae products for human consumption.

While the National Institutes of Health recommends researching the source of spirulina in supplements to ensure they are grown in safe conditions and tested for toxins, if harvested the right way, algae can be one of the most eco-friendly and sustainable foods you can find. 

Scientists are still studying the bioavailability of nutrients in individual foods, how much the body absorbs these nutrients, and how they work to help prevent disease. So it's crucial to combine algae with a healthy diet to see the most nutritional benefits, as the nutrients from the food and algae will work in synergy, which will increase their bioavailability.