Miracle of Superfoods

According to literature one of the categories of functional foods, conventional functional foods, contain bioactive compounds with specific actions within the human body.

In recent years many scientific studies demonstrate the importance of a non-class processed foods whose nutritional composition is ideal for strengthening and promoting the proper functioning of the human body. These foods are known as superfoods. Superfoods are foods that are both high in nutrition value due to a high concentration of nutrients and, on the other hand, great biological value due to satisfactory bio availability and bioactivity within the body due to a variety of bioactive ingredients they contain.

According to Wolfe, superfoods include foods that have a dozen or more unique properties and constitute a specific set of foodstuffs, natural or medium processed with numerous nutrients.

They are food that according to studies they are able to increase vitality of the human body and can be a good choice for improving the overall health by strengthening the immune system. The most important bioactive components of superfoods which have been proven to be beneficial to human body are polyunsaturated fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, probiotic micro-organisms,antioxidants, essential aminoacids, polysaccharides

and various enzymes.

Since the most important of the superfoods properties is their antioxidant activity, among the most important antioxidants of the superfoods are mostly vitamins A, C and E, flavonoids, selenium, carotene, zinc, lycopene, albumin, uric acid, bilirubin, coenzyme Q10 and polyphenols such as anthocyanidins.

The epidemic outbreak of a multitude of degenerative diseases has increased the need to find solutions from the natural environment, with more and more people now turning to food of high nutritional value in order to improve the quality of their life and the promotion of their health. This trend is reinforced from a series of recent scientific studies that have highlighted the importance of various superfoods such as Spirulina

Numerous research data suggest that superfoods are a very good option to improve overall health, boosting the immune system, increasing the production of serotonin and other hormones and promoting the smooth operation of the various organic systems of the human body.

The list of superfoods is constantly increasing year by year, while tracking valuable nutrients and understanding the mechanisms of action within the human organism have activated the scientific interest, by promoting more and more scientific research studies. In particular, the most important superfoods according to the data obtained

is spirulina.

Spirulina (Arthrospira plantensis)

Spirulina is an edible seaweed of fresh water with blue-green color, due to natural pigments contained therein. The scientific name is Arthrospira plantensis and is growing mainly in alkaline lakes rich in metals and metalloids.

Spirulina consists of 55-70% proteins, 15- 25% carbohydrates, 6-8% fat, 3-4% fiber, while the remaining percentage is divided into metals (iron, potassium, magnesium, etc.), trace elements and vitamins. (A, B, E, K)

Spirulina contains more than 100 nutrients and is the richest plant source of protein, it has a very good source of vitamin B12 and phytochemicals with strong antioxidants properties. Continuous studies confirm that spirulina contain high and wide range of different group of nutrients. Its characterization as superfood is due both to autonomous action of the numerous nutrients it contains, but also to the harmonic natural synergy of these compounds

One of the most beneficial properties of spirulina is its effect on blood glucose level. From a range of clinical studies in patients with type II diabetes mellitus, it has been proven that 2grams of spirulina consumption on a daily basis for four months, led to gradual reduction of glucose levels, while a similar decrease was observed in other markers, such as glycosylated hemoglobi. Another documented action of spirulina is the effect on the respiratory system. Consumption of 1 g of spirulina from patients for four months, or in combination with appropriate medication or by itself appears to contribute to substantially improve of pulmonary function and reduce of levels of immunoglobulin E.

The high content of spirulina in γ-linolenic acid and antioxidants, appears to contribute to the enhancement of immune system through the stimulation of phagocytosis, the effect of production of cytokines, chemokines and other inflammation mediators, antibody production by B-lymphocytes an of T-lymphocytes. This demonstrates the regulatory role of spirulina in the functioning of the immune system by enhancing the immune response and preventing over-activity of macrophages of the spirulina against the viruses is primarily found in preventing their penetration into the host cell via the spirulina polysaccharide spirulane.

The antimicrobial action of spirulina in the presence of alpha-linolenic and linoleic acid, and its antioxidant action is recognized by the presence of antioxidant ingredients such as carotene, vitamin E, selenium and polyphenol

Health Benefits of Spirulina and nutrients found in Chlorella:

• Known as the richest natural source of chlorophyll

• May have a deeply cleansing effect

• More than 20 bioavailable (easy to digest) vitamins & minerals

• Contains 19 amino acids that are essential for tissue and cell regeneration

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• May contain a greater quantity of healthy fatty acids than in spirulina or wild blue green algae

• 60% superior protein to most other sources, 3 times the amount of steak or fish

• Contains most components of the vitamin B complex, especially B12, making chlorella a traditionally recommended supplement for vegetarians and vegans

• A source of beta-carotene, a powerful antioxidant that supports the body’s ability to possibly fight free radicals

• Excellent source of broad spectrum nutrition that may support overall vitality