Spirulina

Arthrospira spp.

Spirulina

Spirulina has a history of human consumption in Mexico and in Africa. In Mexico circa 1300 AD the Aztecs harvested Arthrospira from Lake Texcoco and used it to make a sort of dry cake called “tecuitlatl”. Very likely the use of Spirulina as food in Chad dates back to the same period, or even earlier, to the Kanem Empire (ninth century AD). It is very interesting that two populations independently discovered the food properties of Spirulina in spite of the differences and the distance. In Chad it is still harvested and processed by hand into cakes known locally as “dihe” for use in a sauce for meat and fish called “la souce”. It is an important part of their local economy, allowing the women of the village who harvest and process the dihe a certain amount of independence.

What is Spirulina Used For?

Spirulina contains about 60 percent protein. Spirulina’s lipid content is about 5% by weight and is rich in gammo linolenic acid (GLA) and linoleic acid (LA). Spirulina contains vitamins B1 (Thiamine), B2 (riboflavin), B3 , B6 , B9 (folic acid) as well as vitamins A and C. It is also a source of potassium, calcium, magnesium, zinc, and several other minerals and micronutrients. This amazing “superfood” also contains many pigments which may be beneficial as antioxidants, including zeaxanthin, phycocyanins, beta carotene, and other carotenoids. In humans, small studies have been undertaken evaluating spirulina in undernourished children, and several other clinical studies have been conducted on the carotenoids in spirulina.