Spirulina

moog54
moog54 Posts: 67 Member
edited November 21 in Food and Nutrition
I have recently seen a program that says this is the new 'power' food on the block. Done a lot of research, I found out that it is high protein, low fat/carb and can help conditions like diabetes, circulation and cancer. I have now purchased a tub of this powder and will keep you informed as to results. What I'm interested in is, has anyone else had experiance of Spirulina or other 'power foods' and had good/bad experiances?
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Replies

  • plaffo786
    plaffo786 Posts: 71 Member
    I haven't but would be interested in recipes that use it
  • moog54
    moog54 Posts: 67 Member
    edited July 2015
    I plan to add it to my shakes to increase my protein levels. Im told that this is a single cell micro-organism, farmed in the USA. It's quite expensive but hey if it's as good as it says must be worth it. I read that it is used in third world countries to help beat malnutrition.
  • msf74
    msf74 Posts: 3,498 Member
    moog54 wrote: »
    I plan to add it to my shakes to increase my protein levels. Im told that this is a single cell micro-organism, farmed in the USA. It's quite expensive but hey if it's as good as it says must be worth it. I read that it is used in third world countries to help beat malnutrition.

    This is what my wife did in the past (added it to shakes.)

    It is certainly has convenience benefits but is it worth the money? Probably not as you can maintain a healthy, balanced diet without is at less cost. I would recommend you watch the most recent episode of "Superfoods - The Real Story" where it was discussed.
  • moog54
    moog54 Posts: 67 Member
    Thats where I got the idea from, I have ordered a pot of this stuff thro Holland & Barret (UK heath food shop). The program had mostly praise for this wonder product saying that it had positive health benefits.
  • crystalewhite
    crystalewhite Posts: 422 Member
    edited July 2015
    Go easy on it, I put some in my green smoothie and it was very bitter. I ended up giving the jar away because I couldn't stand it.
  • whmscll
    whmscll Posts: 2,255 Member
    Spirulina is not new. My stepmom was all hot on it in the early 80s. She was hoping it was a miracle weight-loss food. It wasn't. And she still has heart disease.
  • Ready2Rock206
    Ready2Rock206 Posts: 9,487 Member
    My son drinks a smoothie with Spirulina in it. I am not a fan of the flavor. Yuck. He likes it though and drinks it based on the health benefits more than the flavor. I need good flavor too for it to be worth it to me!
  • moog54
    moog54 Posts: 67 Member
    Yes I can now vouch for the bitter flavour, even with orange juice it turned it all dark green and tastes awful. Its ok once its down, but it tastes and smells dreadful. According to the instuctions Im to drink 3 teaspoons (10g) a day.
  • acheben
    acheben Posts: 476 Member
    It makes for a pretty tasty green beer: Freetail Brewing Co - Spirulina Wit
  • wkwebby
    wkwebby Posts: 807 Member
    I tried it for a few months with no improvement in my health. I was hoping for energy, but no luck. I guess it depends on what you're trying to get out of it. I couldn't get past the algae look of it after I tried it with no success so I stopped using it. The marketing for it is great though and it definitely got me to buy one tub of it.
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  • jgnatca
    jgnatca Posts: 14,464 Member
    Spirulina was all the rage in the seventies, when it was touted as the solution to the world hunger problems. Production costs have not come down and it's about the most expensive protein you can find.

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spirulina_(dietary_supplement)
  • jgnatca
    jgnatca Posts: 14,464 Member
    You know the two miracle foods I'd like to see touted more? Eggs and buckwheat. Buckwheat is not wheat by the way. Paleos may even be allowed to eat it, and it doesn't have any gluten!

    Imagine all the recipes you can make using eggs!
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  • jgnatca
    jgnatca Posts: 14,464 Member
    I cured my husband's cold sores by having him take a daily B-12 STRESS vitamin. He's been cold-sore free for over fifteen years.
  • PeachyCarol
    PeachyCarol Posts: 8,029 Member
    I want to get my hands on some of that bacon-flavored seaweed I've heard about in the news. That's a sea veggie I can get into.

    Spirulina's been around a long time.
  • snickerscharlie
    snickerscharlie Posts: 8,578 Member
    edited July 2015
    Google "Spirulina hoax" for all the info you'll ever need. ;)
  • galgenstrick
    galgenstrick Posts: 2,086 Member
    It's less for weight loss and more for its micronutrient profile. There's some research on the benefits. Is it worth it? I think that depends on if that's where you think the best place for your money is. I would first spend the money on high quality foods, and exercise equipment / gym membership. Then consider any supplements.
  • Alluminati
    Alluminati Posts: 6,208 Member
    My co-worker drank it and it looked/smelled like the water that comes out of a dirty fish tank filter.
  • jeneticir
    jeneticir Posts: 21 Member
    I put it in my smoothies sometimes- not too much because the flavor is not great, but it has high levels of B12.
  • PaulaWallaDingDong
    PaulaWallaDingDong Posts: 4,645 Member
    It sounds like the kind of thing that should come in capsule form so you don't have to taste it in order to benefit from it.
  • PaulaWallaDingDong
    PaulaWallaDingDong Posts: 4,645 Member
    jeneticir wrote: »
    I put it in my smoothies sometimes- not too much because the flavor is not great, but it has high levels of B12.
    jgnatca wrote: »
    I cured my husband's cold sores by having him take a daily B-12 STRESS vitamin. He's been cold-sore free for over fifteen years.


    asflatasapancake wrote: »
    jgnatca wrote: »
    Spirulina was all the rage in the seventies, when it was touted as the solution to the world hunger problems. Production costs have not come down and it's about the most expensive protein you can find.

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spirulina_(dietary_supplement)

    I see nothing about a herpes cure. I'll have to find, I mean my friend will have to find something else. Meanwhile, I think I'll eat the usual tasty things like chicken, fish, beans, etc. to get my protein.

    There may be hope for "your friend" after all!
  • Unknown
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    edited July 2015
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  • Laurenjenai
    Laurenjenai Posts: 197 Member
    I took spirulina back when I was losing weight, I took it in capsule form to avoid tasting it. If you read on it there are many benefits to it, but some think you can get the same benefits by food as well, which is true also.
  • Liftng4Lis
    Liftng4Lis Posts: 15,151 Member
    Alluminati wrote: »
    My co-worker drank it and it looked/smelled like the water that comes out of a dirty fish tank filter.

    I just threw up in my mouth.
  • belimawr
    belimawr Posts: 1,155 Member
    edited July 2015
    jgnatca wrote: »
    You know the two miracle foods I'd like to see touted more? Eggs and buckwheat.

    Know what the problem with eggs are? Eggs pretty much require some effort in preparation! ;) No quick two second prep and down the hatch. I know many people who won't do eggs for the simple fact they have to be cooked (unless you're into raw eggs).

    Seriously though, I don't know what I'd do without eggs, two eggs a day, and so very tasty no matter how they're done.

    The other problem is most people are scared of the yolk due to misinformation.
    jeneticir wrote: »
    I put it in my smoothies sometimes- not too much because the flavor is not great, but it has high levels of B12.

    I hear an echo in here... it's saying "eggs". :) Again, the majority of B-12 is in the yolk.
  • professionalHobbyist
    professionalHobbyist Posts: 1,316 Member
    Ok

    This thread cleared up my wondering if I should buy some

    More $ saved by MFP
  • moog54
    moog54 Posts: 67 Member
    The benefit had better be worth it, this stuff tastes awful. Takes blending with strong fruit like orange or banana to make it palatable. One thing is down it quick then a couple glasses of water helps. I bought 200g of this so got to go the course.
  • RuNaRoUnDaFiEld
    RuNaRoUnDaFiEld Posts: 5,864 Member
    I tried it many years ago and it did nothing for me. Tastes like frog spawn!!!!
  • moog54
    moog54 Posts: 67 Member
    I think it's more about who you want to believe, the proffesional nutritionists, and scientists who have researched the product. Or those out there who have tried it for a short while, found the results to be disapointing and so decide to put the product down. I will try this for 6 months or so and report back with my results. I am diabetic type2, COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, similar to emphaseama) severe circulatory problems, low blood oxygen and clinicly obese (plus can't spell), so my situation can only get better. The benefit had better be worth it, this stuff tastes awful.
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