Many environmental foundations are researching the potential of going into spirulina farming as a livelihood project for people in areas with high unemployment.
Why? this green food is not just fantastic for the health, but it is also easily farmed in ways that actually benefits the environment, so it seems like a natural path would be to help those who can grow it was well.
If you havent heard about this superfood, read on:

Spirulina, blue-green algae, is well documented as a safe human food. It was consumed by Mexicans as a food for centuries during the Aztec civilization and more recently by people in the Lake Chad area of Central Africa. Spirulina is the staple diet for the Lesser Flamingoes in East Africa.

Hundred of scientific articles published in the past 30 years have found Spirulina to be safe and nutritious. In the past 20 years, Spirulina has been widely consumed by people in about 70 countries.

Spirulinas advocates say that it is a low fat, low calorie, cholesterol-free source of protein containing all the essential amino acids. It may contain antioxidants, and therefore help to defend against �free radicals�, which are believed to be a major factor in aging and can lead to ailments like cancer, arthritis, and cataracts. Many believe that it helps combat problems as disparate as diabetes, cancer, ADHD, anemia, atmospheric pollution and radiation poisoning. Another potential benefit: gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), which is said to be present in spirulina, dissolves fat deposits, helps prevent heart problems and reduces �bad cholesterol�. The National Cancer Institute USA has additionally announced that sulfolipids in spirulina are remarkably active agains HIV. Regular intake of spirulina could even increase anti-viral activity, stimulate the immune system, reduce kidney toxicity, improve wound healing, and reduce radiation sickness, believers claim.

Spirulina production in open systems is frequently chosen for industrial production due to its low production cost, easy handling and high production of biomass. This method uses a pond with a central islet, a motor operating a paddle wheel which allows continuous displacement of the liquid culture in the peripheral channel. During the growing season ponds are harvested every day. In the peak summer sun, harvesting occurs 24 hours a day, around the clock, to keep up with the explosive growth rate. (so reported by a spirulina farm in California)

Spirulina is an excellent food for the rapid recovery from malnutrition and related diseases.

U.N. World Health Organisation (WHO) confirmed:

�For WHO, spirulina represents an interesting food for multiple reasons, rich in iron and protein, and is able to be administered to children without any risk. We at WHO consider it a very suitable food.�

[tags]spirulina,who,malnutrition,nutrition,health[/tags]

Originally posted on October 4, 2006 @ 4:58 pm