Spirulina: Latest Scientific Research
Effects on the AIDS Virus, Cancer and the Immune System.

There are several new peer reviewed scientific studies about spirulina’s ability to inhibit viral replication, strengthen both the cellular and humoral arms of the immune system and cause regression and inhibition of cancers. While these studies are preliminary and more research is needed, the results so far are exciting.

Potent Anti-Viral Activity
In April 1996, scientists from the Laboratory of Viral Pathogenesis, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School and Earthrise Farms announced on-going research, saying "Water extract of Spirulina platensis inhibits HIV-1 replication in human derived T-cell lines and in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. A concentration of 5-10 µg/ml was found to reduce viral production."1

HIV-1 is the AIDS virus. Small amounts of spirulina extract reduced viral replication while higher concentrations totally stopped its reproduction. Importantly, with a therapeutic index of >100, spirulina extract was non-toxic to the human cells at concentrations stopping viral replication.

Another group of medical scientists in Japan has published new studies regarding a purified water extract unique to spirulina named Calcium-Spirulan. It inhibits replication of HIV-1, Herpes Simplex, Human Cytomegalovirus, Influenza A virus, Mumps virus and Measles virus in-vitro yet is very safe for human cells. It protects human and monkey cells from viral infection in cell culture. According to peer reviewed scientific journal reports this extract, "holds great promise for treatment of HIV-1, HSV-1, and HCM infections, which is particularly advantageous for AIDS patients who are prone to these life-threatening infections."2

Calcium-Spirulan is a polymerized sugar molecule unique to spirulina containing both Sulfur and Calcium. Hamsters treated with this water soluble extract had better recovery rates when infected with an otherwise lethal Herpes virus.3

How does it work? When attacking a cell, a virus first attaches itself to the cell membrane. However, because of spirulina extract, the virus cannot penetrate the cell membrane to infect the cell. The virus is stuck, unable to replicate. It is eventually eliminated by the body’s natural defenses. Spirulina extracts may become useful therapeutics that could help AIDS patients lead longer more normal lives.

Anti-Cancer Effects
Several studies show spirulina or its extracts can prevent or inhibit cancers in humans and animals. Some common forms of cancer are thought to be a result of damaged cell DNA running amok, causing uncontrolled cell growth. Cellular biologists have defined a system of special enzymes called Endonuclease which repair damaged DNA to keep cells alive and healthy. When these enzymes are deactivated by radiation or toxins, errors in DNA go unrepaired and cancer may develop. In vitro studies suggest the unique polysaccharides of spirulina enhance cell nucleus enzyme activity and DNA repair synthesis. This may be why several scientific studies, observing human tobacco users and experimental cancers in animals, report high levels of suppression of several important types of cancer. The subjects were fed either whole spirulina or treated with its water extracts.20,27,28

Strengthens Immune System
Spirulina is a powerful tonic for the immune system. In scientific studies of mice, hamsters, chickens, turkeys, cats and fish, it consistently improves immune system function. Medical scientists find it not only stimulates the immune system, it actually enhances the body’s ability to generate new blood cells. Important parts of the immune system, Bone Marrow Stem Cells, Macrophages, T-cells and Natural Killer cells, exhibit enhanced activity. Spleen and Thymus glands show enhanced function. Scientists also observe spirulina causing macrophages to increase in number, become "activated" and more effective at killing germs.

Feeding studies show even small amounts build up both humoral and cellular arms of the immune system.30 Spirulina accelerates production of the humoral system (antibodies and cytokines), allowing it to better protect against invading germs. The cellular immune system includes T-cells, Macrophages, B-cells and the anti-cancer Natural Killer cells. These cells circulate in the blood and are especially rich in body organs like the liver, spleen, thymus, lymph nodes, adenoids, tonsils and bone marrow. Spirulina up-regulates these key cells and organs, improving their ability to function in spite of stresses from environmental toxins and infectious agents.4,25,28,29,30,31

Phycocyanin Builds Blood
Spirulina has a dark blue-green color, because it is rich in a brilliant blue polypeptide called Phycocyanin. Studies show it affects the stem cells found in bone marrow. Stem cells are "Grandmother" to both the white blood cells that make up the cellular immune system and red blood cells that oxygenate the body. Chinese scientists document Phycocyanin stimulating hematopoiesis, (the creation of blood), emulating the affect of the hormone erythropoetin, (EPO). EPO is produced by healthy kidneys and regulates bone marrow stem cell production of red blood cells. Chinese scientists claim Phycocyanin also regulates production of white blood cells, even when bone marrow stem cells are damaged by toxic chemicals or radiation.23

Based on this effect, spirulina is approved in Russia as a "medicine food" for treating radiation sickness. The Children of Chernobyl suffer radiation poisoning from eating food grown on radioactive soil. Their bone marrow is damaged, rendering them immunodeficient. Radiation damaged bone marrow cannot produce normal red or white blood cells. The children are anemic and suffer from terrible allergic reactions. Children fed just five grams in tablets each day made dramatic recoveries within six weeks.75

Other Potential Health Benefits
Spirulina is one of the most concentrated natural sources of nutrition known. It contains all the essential amino acids, rich in chlorophyll, beta-carotene and its co-factors, and other natural phytonutrients. This is the only green food rich in GLA essential fatty acid. GLA stimulates growth in some animals and makes skin and hair shiny and soft yet more durable. GLA also acts as an anti-inflammatory, sometimes alleviating symptoms of arthritic conditions.

Spirulina acts as a functional food, feeding beneficial intestinal flora, especially Lactobacillus and Bifidus. Maintaining a healthy population of these bacteria in the intestine reduces potential problems from opportunistic pathogens like E. coli and Candida albicans. Studies show when spirulina is added to the diet, beneficial intestinal flora increase.

Conclusion
Based on this preliminary research, scientists hope the use of spirulina and its extracts may reduce or prevent cancers and viral diseases. Bacterial or parasitic infections may be prevented or respond better to treatment and wound healing may improve. Symptoms of anemia, poisoning and immunodeficiency may be alleviated.

Scientists in the USA, Japan, China, Russia, India and other countries are studying this remarkable food to unlock its potential. More research is needed to determine its usefulness against AIDS and other killer diseases. However, it is already clear this safe and natural food provides concentrated nutritional support for optimum health and wellness.

1. Ayehunie, S., Belay, A. et al. Inhibition of HIV-1 replication by an aqueous extract of spirulina (arthospira platensis). 7th IAAA Conference, Knysna, South Africa, April 17,1996.

2. Hayashi, T. et al. Calcium Spirulan, an inhibitor of enveloped virus replication, from a blue-green alga spirulina. Am. Chemical Soc. and Am. Soc. of Pharmacognosy. Journal of Natural Products, 1996. Vol 59, No. 1, p. 83-87.

3. Hayashi, K. et al. An extract from spirulina is a selective inhibitor of herpes simplex virus Type 1 penetration into HeLa cells. Phytotherapy Research, Vol. 7, p.76-80, 1993.

4. Hayashi, O. et al. Enhancement of antibody production in mice by dietary spirulina. J. of Nutritional Sciences and Vitaminology, 40, p. 431-441, 1994.

5. Belay, A., Ota, Y. et al. Current knowledge on potential health benefits of spirulina. Journal of Applied Phycology. 1993. 5:235-241.

Acid or Alkaline?
The pH of your body can determine your health, explains Toni Jordan.

Cast your mind back to high school science classes. Remember pH? pH is a number that measures the acid or alkaline nature of a liquid. A very strong acid, for example gastric acid or lemon juice, has a pH of 1 or 2. Something that is neutral—that means is neither acid nor alkaline, like water—has a pH of 7. And a very strong base, like bleach or ammonium, has a pH around 12 or 13. Blood has its own pH, which is usually around 7.4, or just slightly basic.

What has pH got to do with health?
The pH of food itself isn’t important. What is important is the pH of your body after eating particular foods. Depending on the effect on the body, foods can be classified as acid or alkaline. And, like everything in life, balance is most important. Too many acid foods and not enough alkaline foods will contribute to sluggish digestion, lethargy and tiredness, and osteoporosis. It’s not just diet that makes your body more acid, though. Stress and immune reactions also contribute to an acid metabolism.

The typical Australian diet
The typical Australian diet consists overwhelmingly of acid foods. A diet high in protein and meat products, cereals and grains, and processed foods can create a state of metabolic acidosis. This means that, in order for the body to make sure that the pH of its blood is around 7.4, it will neutralise the excess acid. It does this by ‘borrowing’ minerals, especially calcium, from bones. These minerals ‘buffer’ the excess acid.

Borrowing calcium from my bones? That can’t be good.
It’s not. Some epidemiologists believe our current crisis of osteoporosis is caused, not by insufficient calcium, but by too many acid-forming foods that leach calcium from our bones. This certainly helps explain why countries with historically low levels of calcium intake, like China and Japan, also have low levels of osteoporosis. Luckily, metabolic acidosis is easily fixed. A healthy diet should be around 60% alkaline-forming foods and only 40% acid forming foods.

So what do I do to increase my body’s alkalinity?
Start with the diet. Increase raw vegetables, fruits and nuts, and cut down on grains, proteins and sugars. Begin a natural stress reduction regime of meditation, exercise or yoga. For a daily boost to your alkaline levels, mix wheat grass powder, barley grass powder, spirulina or chlorella in a glass of apple or orange juice. These green superfoods are among the most alkaline-forming of all foods. Barley and wheat grass powders are made from the nutrient rich shoots of barley and wheat, but contain none of the gluten or grain. Chlorella and spirulina are natural algae. They contain a wide range of vitamins and minerals.

How do I choose my green powders?
First, it’s important they’re not exposed to direct sunlight, so choose black or opaque packaging. Organically grown powders are always preferred to those grown using chemicals and pesticides. Finally, when introducing green powders in to your diet, start slowly. These are strong natural detoxifiers, so give your body a chance to adjust.

Common acid forming foods
Processed foods
Junk foods
Meat
Pasta
Sugar

Common alkaline forming foods
Green powders like wheat, barley, chlorella and spirulina
Raw vegetables
Salad greens
Sprouts
Most fruit