Don’t forget to eat your greens

Don’t forget to eat your greens

1 February 2012 - by KIM McCREERY

VEGETABLES such as kale, chard, spinach and broccoli are exceptionally good for health as they are very nutritious and help prevent cancer and degenerative diseases.

However, children and many adults find it difficult to include enough greens in their diet as they don’t like the taste so this is when a “green superfood” supplement comes in handy. Spirulina is one of the best options as it has an abundance of vitamins, minerals such as iron, calcium and zinc, phytonutrients which prevent ageing, omega 3, chlorophyll and is exceptionally high in protein.

When algae is mentioned most people think of something growing on their fish tank or pond but this type of algae is completely different and grows on fresh water tropical lakes that are alkaline.

Spirulina can increase endurance, mental stability and reduce stress, with up to 97% of the nutrition being absorbed by the body. It has around 65% bio available protein which is more than meat, fish, eggs or dairy and was chosen as food for astronauts by Nasa due to it being the most nutrient dense food on the planet.

It is also packed full of chlorophyll due to its green colour which turns to iron in the body, making it an excellent choice for women who tend to have low iron levels. The chlorophyll also helps relieve constipation and can help with digestive disorders such as IBS as chlorophyll destroys unhealthy bacteria in the digestive tract.

Spirulina can also help nervous system and brain health so can help improve mood, memory and concentration. A study in 1995 found that children who took one gram of spirulina a day for six months showed an 81% improvement on academic scores. This is most likely due to a compound called phycocyanin which enhances brain function and is only found in fresh water algae. Spirulina and chlorella are completely different to the algae that grows in ponds and lakes in this part of the world which is toxic to humans and animals.

I personally use spirulina powder instead of a multivitamin and mineral supplement as it is completely natural and I find it helps the condition of my hair.

A good starting dose for adults is half a teaspoon a day in some water or juice or there are tablets available. Adding some lemon juice to the water cuts through the taste of the spirulina. The morning is an ideal time to take it as the supplement can give you energy and although it contains no stimulants it has been known to keep people awake at night if you take it just before bed. Some people find it handy to add some spirulina to their morning smoothies — it turns the smoothie green but still tastes like fruit. 

Chlorella is another freshwater green algae that is also packed full of protein, iron, calcium, magnesium and B-vitamins and iodine which supports the thyroid gland. With the highest chlorophyll levels of any plant it is a great cleanser of the blood and liver and is able to bind with heavy metals such as mercury and help remove them from the body.

This makes it a great choice for people who have taken several courses of antibiotics in their life or have had chemotherapy in the past as it helps remove drug residues from the system.

Chlorella is commonly used in Japan where it is known as a “functional food” due to the amount of nutrition it contains. It can help thicken hair, improve energy levels and is great for helping to balance the blood sugar so can help prevent sugar cravings.

You will get even better results while taking the algaes if you drink plenty of water, eat more organic food, vegetables and fruit, lentils, beans, oily fish and wheat-free wholegrains and avoid the energy drainers such as tea, coffee, sugar, fizzy drinks, fried food, pasteurised cows milk (organic is better in small amounts) and non-organic meat.

It is important to check with your doctor before taking the fresh water algaes if you have an autoimmune disorder such as lupus, multiple sclerosis or rheumatoid arthritis, are on immune suppressing drugs or are pregnant or lactating.

Spirulina tablets and powder can be found at good health stores such as THS at Jacksons, Main St, Saintfield and THS, St Patrick’s Ave, Downpatrick.

• Kim McCreery has worked in the natural health industry for the last six years and is passionate about nutrition and herbal remedies. For more details, e-mail: kimmccreery@live.co.uk