Can spirulina treat iron deficiency?
Did you know that spirulina can treat iron deficiency and prevent anaemia? We'll tell you all about spirulina and iron, which appear to be formidable allies.
What is iron deficiency?
To put it simply, deficiency = deficiency. The body needs iron to function properly because it is a trace element who is participating in Oxygen transport from the lungs to the cells. You understand why it's essential! The body is unable to produce iron, so it must be consumed.
The people most prone to iron deficiencies:
How is it possible to Lack of iron? Either because your diet doesn't provide enough of it. Or because of a abnormal production of red blood cells. Iron deficiency is quite common: it affects one in two women.
Quels sont les effets de l'anémie sur le corps ?
Your body has different ways to alert you to its iron deficiency. Firstly, in case of Benign deficiency, you will feel tired. Consequently, less fit for physical activities and a bit slower in your thinking when making decisions. The body feels weak, so it has more difficulty fighting infections and regulating your temperature.
If you think you have an iron deficiency, it's best to consult your doctor or have a blood test. If it's confirmed, then you can turn to dietary supplements or foods that are iron-rich, as the Spirulina, to meet this need.
If you let time take its course without reacting, the iron deficiency will turn into iron deficiency anaemia that is to say that your body will lack haemoglobin.
As time goes by, your skin will pale, you'll lose a little more hair than usual, and every effort will be intensely felt. Your mood will fluctuate, and you may notice changes in your breathing or heart. Although this list isn't exhaustive, you understand it's best to address the situation as soon as possible. And your new priority will become: “Where can I find this precious iron?”
Comment éviter les carences en fer ?
First of all, do you know your Iron requirements ?
- 4 to 11 mg/day according to the children's age
- Environment 10-11mg per day for adolescents, adult men and menopausal women.
- Environment 15mg minimum per day For adult women, pregnant or breastfeeding. Ladies, our iron requirements are significant because our levels drop with each menstruation. Expectant mothers, don't forget that you are creating blood for both yourself and your child.
Depending on the periods of our lives, we need to absorb more or less iron per day. Stay attentive to your body!
The next step is to ensure that your diet is balanced and varied by incorporating a little more iron when you feel the need.
You don't necessarily need food supplements! Many foods are rich in them: spirulina, lentils, red beans...
Spirulina and iron: allies
You know that Bulgarian proverb that says “A sweet word can open even iron doors”? Well, here’s my version: the Sweet spirulina is a gateway to iron ! The proof? In the 100g of our solidarity spirulina contains 129mg of iron. To help you compare, the average amount of iron varies between 7 and 150 mg per 100 g, depending on the origin.
Do you remember your iron needs? Between 10 and 15 mg/day for adults. The calculation is simple: with 3 teaspoons of this spirulina, you have your iron intake for the day! In reality, if you already take 1 teaspoon as part of a balanced diet that includes other iron-rich foods, your body will already feel better.
As indicated above, our The solidary range is particularly rich in iron. These special products come from two partner farms abroad with whom we work on a fair trade basis: one in Burkina Faso, and another in India. Whether as part of a monastery, an association, or a company, they are humanitarian in nature and redistribute part of their production to combat childhood malnutrition and other local development actions. I would like to point out that this partnership meets strict quality and hygiene requirements. Its lovely, gentle taste is proof of this! 😉
And what about iron absorption?
According to Dr. Vidalo, the iron contained in the Phycocyanin (a pigment from spirulina) is “twice as absorbable as that found in most legumes and meats.”.
To facilitate iron absorption, it is recommended to consume Vitamin C At the same time as or just after taking spirulina. For example, pure fruit juice. Vitamin C will help convert non-haem iron into a form that is more easily absorbed by the intestines.
At Akal, we have chosen to integrate’acerola (a fruit rich in vitamin C) in our spirulina-based drink preparations such as Spirulina Immunity. This potion also includes nettle (another source of iron) and various ingredients, plants and spices that work synergistically to reduce fatigue linked to iron deficiencies. The idea is to offer a revitalising potion that contains all the necessary nutrients: protein, iron, vitamin C… in a single preparation!
If vitamin C improves iron absorption, be aware that coffee and tea have the opposite effect. Our advice: if you are a tea or coffee drinker, wait for 2 hours after your last cup before consuming your spirulina or iron-rich food supplement. Likewise, wait for 2 hours afterwards, to give your body time to integrate the iron under good conditions.
Iron deficiencies are more common than people think, even though they are easy to avoid with daily iron intake. They develop gradually. spiruline is a solution perfect for meeting this need due to its richness in iron and other bioavailable benefits. Additionally, it is suitable for athletes, pregnant women, vegetarians, children, and anyone mindful of their health. Spirulina helps to treat iron deficiency. integrating into your balanced everyday diet to gradually reduce deficiency. A course of at least 3 months is necessary to achieve a harmonious balance of iron intake in your body. To remain serene all year round, you can extend the course indefinitely.
Now that you know everything, take care of yourself!
*Sources:
https://www.anses.fr/fr/content/les-références-nutritionnelles-en-vitamines-et-minéraux#fer
https://www.cerascreen.fr/blogs/news/carence-en-fer
https://www.dge.de/wissenschaft/referenzwerte/eisen/
Elmadfa I. Nutritional Science. 3rd ed. Eugen Ulmer Verlag Stuttgart; 2015.
Consumer Advice Centre. Iron: Quality, not quantity, is the question. https://www.verbraucherzentrale.de/wissen/lebensmittel/nahrungsergaenzungsmittel/eisen-qualitaet-nicht-quantitaet-ist-die-frage-8026. Published April 25, 2018. Accessed April 25, 2018.
Der Kleine Souci, Fachmann, Kraut. Food Table for Practice. Stuttgart: Wissenschaftliche Verlagsgesellschaft mbH Stuttgart; 2004.
Ärztezeitung. No tea or coffee with iron supplements. https://www.aerztezeitung.de/panorama/ernaehrung/article/502349/kein-tee-kaffee-eisenpraeparaten.html. Published 25 April 2018. Accessed 25 April 2018.
https://www.passeportsante.net/fr/Nutrition/Dietes/Fiche.aspx?doc=anemie_diete
Spirulina: The Blue Algae for Health and Prevention, Doctor Jean-Louis Vidalo
https://sante.journaldesfemmes.fr/fiches-sante-du-quotidien/2691799-carence-alimentaire-nutritionnelle-definition-symptomes-diagnostic-consequences-que-faire/
