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An antioxidant found in olive leaves may help protect against osteoporosis, a new study shows. Known as oleuropein, the antioxidant is also available in olive oil and in supplement form.

As you age, the bone-building process tends to become hampered by the buildup of fat cells in bone marrow. In tests on cells taken from human bone marrow, the recent study’s research team found that oleuropein altered the expression of genes involved in converting cells into fat cells. By curbing the formation of fat cells, the study’s authors suggest, oleuropein may help thwart the development of fatty bone marrow and reduce risk of osteoporosis.

Although it’s too soon to recommend oleuropein in the prevention of osteoporosis, you can boost your bone health by maintaining optimal levels of calcium, vitamin D, and vitamin K. Weight-bearing exercises are also known to promote bone formation, and preliminary research suggests that flaxseed and green tea both show promise in stopping bone loss as you get older.

Salted Lemonade

Juice of 5 meyer lemons or 1 tsp. vitamin C crystals
2 cups spring water
3 Tbsp. dark agave nectar or 3 drops of pure Stevia
5 mint leaves crushed
7 mint leaves left whole
1 tsp. sea salt
1 tsp. spirulina

Ginger Snap Lemonade

3 stalks peeled lemongrass
1 inch square peeled ginger
Stevia to taste (or Raw Agave Nectar)
1 tsp. Spirulina
*optional pinch of Himalayan crystal salt

Smash both lemongrass and ginger, steep in boiling water and let sit overnight. Add sweetener of choice to taste. Add spirulina (may need to blend for smooth consistency).

*Add a pinch of salt if desired. Chill and serve.

On-The-Go Delight

1 1/2 cups fresh squeezed orange juice
1 1/2 cups freshly juiced carrot juice
1 Tbsp. spirulina

Mix together and go. This is better the colder it is (served over ice, or kept in the freezer for a bit). This is also good without the juice being freshly made, but it’s divine when it’s fresh.

MONTREAL – Omega-3 supplements have proven effective in treating depressed patients who do not also suffer from an anxiety disorder, a study involving Montreal researchers has found.

The study explored the effectiveness of fighting depression with Omega-3 supplements rather than anti-depressant drugs such as Prozac or Paxil.

“Many of these (alternative) treatments have not been adequately evaluated,” said Francois Lesperance, director of the study and head of psychiatry at the Universite de Montreal hospital centre.

A total of 432 participants in Quebec and Ontario took part in the four-year study. For eight weeks, half of the participants took three capsules a day of Omega-3 Emotional Balance, a fish oil supplement with high concentrations of EPA, the fats found in fish. The other half took three capsules of a placebo consisting of sunflower oil flavoured with fish oil.

At several stages during the eight weeks, participants were asked to fill out a questionnaire that evaluated their symptoms of depression.

“Overall, we found there was a small trend favouring Omega-3 over placebo, but it was not statistically significant,” said Nancy Frasure-Smith, a McGill University psychiatry professor involved in the study,

However, a subgroup of depressed patients who didn’t also suffer from an anxiety disorder saw their depression symptoms decrease after taking the Omega-3 supplements compared with those who took the placebo.

Other, smaller, studies have suggested that a deficit in polyunsaturated fatty acids of the Omega-3 group may predispose individuals to disorders such as depression.

The results of the Canadian study do not mean that depressed people will feel better if they eat large quantities of fish, which is high in Omega-3 fatty acids, researchers noted. The fish oil supplement used in the study had higher concentrations of Omega-3 than is available from an average diet.

Lesperance said it is difficult to study whether dietary intervention can prevent depression or other diseases, because these types of studies are complicated to carry out in a controlled setting.

He said a depressed patient who wants to try the supplements should first consult with their doctor.

This is the first large study examining the impact of Omega-3 supplements on depression. It was conducted by researchers at the Universite de Montreal, McGill, Queen’s and the Universite Laval.

The study was published this month in the online Journal of Clinical Psychiatry. About 70 per cent of the cost of the study was covered by the French firm isodisnatura, which manufactures the Omega-3 supplements.

In Canada, about 11 per cent of men and 16 per cent of women will suffer from depression at some point in their lives.

One of the most popular health benefits of this blue green algae is weight loss. Its low fat content and high nutritional value make spirulina one of the best weight loss supplement among the lot. The busy life style we follow seldom gives us a chance to stop and have a look at the nutrition content of the food we eat. This along with unsuitable dietary habits, such as eating too much at a time or eating foods high in sugars and saturated fats, which make the various weight loss programs, which we tend to implement in order to lose those extra pounds, ineffective.

In such circumstances, spirulina is an apt dietary supplement which helps in curbing our never-ending appetite, and keeps the urge of eating unhealthy foods at bay. This in turn helps in weight loss by bringing the fat levels in the body back to the normal. Owing to this property of spirulina, it is marketed as a ‘vitamin enriched’ appetite suppressant. Spirulina is available in forms of pills as well as powder, which can be taken directly or added to various foods. Taking a spoonful of spirulina extract an hour before eating food will make sure that your appetite is under control, and thus, you would eat only as much as required, instead of filling your stomach. At the same time, it will also give you all the nutrients essential for proper body growth. Heating spirulina depletes its nutritional content, and hence, it should be heated as less as possible.

APRIL 24TH, 2010
By SEARCHENGINEOPTIMIZATION
Facts About Spirulina- Worlds Most Powerful Food
Spirulina is a blue-green alga which is believed to be the first form of plant life on earth (nearly 3.5 billion years old). Since its rediscovery in the 1960′s, Spirulina has been exhaustively and extensively tested by scientists around the world. And has proved to be the most powerful and well-balanced source of nutrition on the planet.
Upon testing it, NASA found it to be an excellent, compact space food for astronauts (1 kg. of Spirulina is equivalent to 1000 kgs. of assorted vegetables). International health organisations have hailed Spirulina as one of the “Greatest Superfoods on Earth”. An ideal food supplement, Sunova Spirulina provides the body with all the essential nutrients required daily, leaving you fresh, active and energetic through out the day.
100 times more Vitamin A than carrots !
Spirulina is the world’s richest natural source of Beta-Carotene (Pro Vitamin A), which helps to improve eye sight.

6 times more protein than eggs !
Spirulina has a very high natural protein content (upto 70%). This protein is a called complete since it has 18 of the 22 amino acids that the body needs and being organic in form, has very high digestibility ( upto 97% ). This ensures proper utilisation & assimilation of the food a person eats.

50 times more Iron than Spinach !
Anaemia or iron deficiency is one of the most common health problems of our country. Spirulina’s rich content of natural Iron & folic acid helps not only to greatly improve haemoglobin levels in the blood, but being organic, is 60 times more absorbable than synthetic iron present in most of the haematinics.

7 times more Calcium than milk !
Spirulina is one of the World’s richest known sources of natural Calcium which helps build strong bones.

10 times more Potassium than vegetables ! Its Potassium content (upto 10 times more than common vegetables) helps prevent hypertension.

One stop shop for ‘Anti Oxidants’ !
Unstable molecules called “Free Radicals” are generated in every human body as a result of normal metabolic processes. These can lead to ailments like cancer, arthritis, cataracts, strokes, heart attacks, diabetes and premature ageing. To combat these free radicals you need ‘Anti-Oxidants’ like Vitamins A,C & E, Zinc, Selenium, Super Oxide Dismutase. Spirulina is the world’s richest and only natural source of all these ‘Anti-Oxidants’.

Fat deposits in blood vessels called cholesterol are the reason behind a majority of heart problems. Spirulina has Gamma Linolenic Acid (GLA), which dissolves these fat deposits, thus preventing heart problems.

Spirulina is the only known vegetarian source of Vitamin B12 which helps fight stress and calm your nerves.

Unique ‘Biliproteins’ & ‘Carotenoids’ in Spirulina strengthen the body’s immune system against possible infections.

Research suggests when Spirulina is taken with anti-cancer drugs, antibiotics and pain killing drugs, toxic side effects to the kidney can be significantly reduced and shorter recovery times may be possible.

Extensive research studies have been carried out around the world. Some of the relevant findings listed here are based on scientific findings:
A one year feeding program with 5000 pre-school children showing a symptom of Vit.A deficiency, Bitot’s spot, decreased from 80% to 10% after intake of 1 gm Spirulina a day for at least 150 days.
Another study with 400 school children suggests Spirulina as an alternate to pure Vitamin A therapy.
In a 1991 study in Belarus, 11 49 undernourished and radiation poisoned children were fed with Spirulina. Within 45 days, doctors found T-cell suppressors and beneficial hormones rising, and in 83% of the children radioactivity of the urine decreased.
In 1989, the National Cancer Institute (NCA-USA) announced that chemicals called glycolipids or sulfolipids from blue-green algae were “remarkably active” against the AIDS virus. Recent Japanese research revealed a high level of sulfolipids in Spirulina, 1.12%

Food Safety Research

No adverse effects due to the usage of Spiurlina powder have been reported. The alga is consumed as a food and it appears absolutely safe for long-term usage, even during pregnancy and lactation. In studies carried out on rats in Japan, no negative effects were found for acute or chronic toxicity or reproduction. Likewise in a comprehensive animal study by the UNIDO in 1980. Rarely have there been any reports of allergies or sensitivities. Toxicology research through the 80s and 90s showed Spirulina has no pre and post natal toxicity in rats, no adverse effects on reproduction, including male and female fertility and duration of gestation, and no increase in number of abnormal offspring.

References
Sassby, A. 1988 : In Algae & Human Affairs, Ed. Lembi & Waaland, Cambridge Univ. Press, UK
Tokai et at. 1987 : Chiba Hygience Coll, Bull. V.5 (2)
Johnson & Shubert 1986 : Nutrit. Res. USA V.6
Takeuchi et al. 1978: Clinical Experiences of administration of Spirulina, Tokyo Med. & Dent. Univ.
Galvan, R.R. 1973: Clinical Experimentation with Spirulina, National Institute of Nutrition, Maxico.
Fox R.D. 1986 : Algoculture, Aix-en-Provence France
Fica et al. 1984: Clinica II Medicala, Spitalui Clinic, Bucuresti, Med. Intern. 36 (3) Romania
Miao Jian Ren 1987 : Soc. Appl Algal., Lille, France
Bucallie, P. 1990: Univ. Paul Sabatier Tolouse Oct.90
Annapurna, V. et al. 1991: Ind. J. Bioch. Nutrit. 10
Henrikson R. 1990: Health World Sep/Oct 1990
Sheshadri C.V. 1993: AICPS, MCRC Chennai
Belookaya T. 1991: Children of Chernobyl, Corres.
Custafsan et. Al. 1989: J. Nat. Cancer. Int. Aug16
Altman L.K.: Anti AIDS Chemicals in Algae
Kataoka et. al. 1983 Algric. Biol. Chem. 47 (10)
Chamorro-Cevallos, G. 1980: UNIDO, 24, Oct. 80

The ADDICTIVE SPIRULINA GUACAMOLE

4 medium avocados
1/2 fresh squeezed lemon
1/2 fresh squeezed lime
2 cloves minced fresh garlic
1/2 – 1 chopped heirloom tomato
1/4 tsp cayenne (or to your ‘hot factor’ liking)
few pinches Celtic salt

Put everything in a bamboo or ceramic bowl and mash it all together. Then LIGHTLY stir in:
1 tsp Spirulina

If you make guacamole like this often, you’ll find your metabolism is fired up, your skin glows, your hair shines, your nervous system is calm, and your belly is deeply satisfied.

I’ve heard that mixing spirulina with bananas, pineapple juice or oranges masks most of the flavor. I’ve experimented a little with banana and fresh young coconut milk but found the spirulina made the taste of a really yummy banana-coconut smoothie a bit yuck. So I’d rather create something that compliments the spirulina rather than just tries to mask it.

So here are my recipes that I use every day to make it at least a little bit enjoyable-

Spirulina Super Green Smoothie
1 cucumber
2 handfuls of baby spinach leaves
1 green apple
1-2 cups of good quality water
1 tablespoon of spirulina
1 teaspoon of wheatgrass powder (optional)

Blend in a vitamix or super great blender until well combined. If you prefer it sweeter, you an add it a little xylitol or honey.

Spirulina Green Juice

4-5 sticks of celery (leaves and all)
2 carrots
1 green apple
1 tablespoon of spirulina

Juice celery, carrots and apple. Then blend the juice with the spirulina. You can try just stirring it in but I don’t like clumps so I prefer to blend.

And if you’re still eating cacao, these spirulina chocolate balls from David Wolfe’s book Superfoods (I highly recommend you get yourself a copy of this book) are amazing. They absolutely are the best way to eat spirulina that I’ve found yet. If you don’t have a sweet tooth, you may not love them as much as me but I find them simply divine.

Spirulina & Chocolate Balls

1/4 cup hempseeds
1/2 cup cacao powder
2 tablespoons of spirulina
2 tablespoons coconut oil
3 tablespoons raw honey
a pinch of celtic sea salt
the inside of 1 vanilla bean (scoop out the seeds)

Melt coconut oil if it’s set. You can do this buy putting it in a dehydrator, leaving it out in the sun or immersing the jar of coconut oil in a bowl of hot water.

Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix well. It will get all black and extremely sticky!! Roll into balls and set in the freezer. I love to eat these straight out of the freezer. They’re incredibly addictive and taste amazing.