Spirulina enhances immune systems in birds and animals

Mississippi State Univ., Poultry Science Assoc. Meeting - August 12, 1994

Less than 1% spirulina added to chicken diets significantly enhanced defense systems for increased microbial killing, antigen processing and greater T-cell activity. This resulted in increased resistance to disease causing bacteria, such as the antibiotic resistant Staphylococcus aureus and E. coli.

Scientists at North Carolina State Univ., headed by immunologist and Assoc. Prof. M.A. Qureshi, PhD, released a study sponsored by Earthrise Company of California. "Immune Enhancement Potential of Spirulina in Chickens"1 states that very low levels of spirulina in a poultry diet (100 to 10,000 parts per million) greatly improved macrophage function, increased antibody production and increased size of thymus glands for greater T-cell production. No negative effects were found.

This startling research created a sensation among feed industry scientists, who want to replace ineffective antibiotics with natural probiotics that strengthen the immune system and prevent infections. Some of these probiotics contain phytonutrients which are present in spirulina.

This discovery is confirmed by four other recent studies feeding spirulina to mice. Scientists in China and Japan independently found spirulina and its extracts fed to mice increased macrophage function, antibody production and enhanced infection-fighting T-cells.2,3,4 One study found spirulina extracts greatly inhibited cancer by improving the immune system.5 The active phytonutrients were identified as a polysaccharide (a complex sugar molecule) unique to spirulina and phycocyanin (the blue pigment found only in blue-green microalgae).

These discoveries are significant for human health.The overuse of antibiotics has created resistant mutant bacteria. Now scientists want to replace antibiotics with probiotics that strengthen the immune system. Based on this new animal research, as little as 3 grams per day of spirulina may be effective for humans.

Spirulina, blue-green algae, is 60% all-vegetable protein, with the highest food concentration of beta carotene, iron, vitamin B-12, and the rare gamma linolenic acid (GLA). Its dark green color comes from the combination of the phytonutrients carotene, chlorophyll and phycocyanin. It is also a source of polysaccharides and sulfoglycolipids. In the past 15 years, it has gained worldwide acceptance.

References:

1. Immune enhancement potential of spirulina in chickens. by M. Quereshi, et al. August 1994. Poultry Science Assoc. Dept. of Poultry Science, North Carolina State, NC. Pub. in Journal of Poultry Science Vol 73, S.1. p. 46. USA.
2. Study on effect and mechanism of polysaccharides of spirulina on body immune function improvement. by G. Baojiang, et al. April 1994. South China Normal Univ. China. Pub. in Proc. of Second Asia Pacific Conf. on Algal Biotech. Univ. of Malaysia. pp 33-38. China.
3. Effects of polysaccharide and phycocyanin from spirulina on peripheral blood and hematopoietic system of bone marrow in mice. by Zhang Cheng-Wu, et al.. April 1994. Nanjing Univ. China. Pub. in Proc. of Second Asia Pacific Conf. on Algal Biotech. Univ. of Malaysia. p.58. China.
4. Enhancement of antibody production in mice by dietary spirulina. by Hayashi, et al. June 1994. Kagawa Nutrition Univ. Japan. Pub. in Journal of Nutr. Science and Vitaminology. Japan.
5. Inhibitive effect and mechanism of polysaccharide of spirulina on transplanted tumor cells in mice. by Lisheng, et al. 1991.Pub. in Marine Sciences, Qingdao, N.5. pp 33-38. China.

Spirulina boosts immunity and clears bacterial infections

Sacramento, CA, March 5, 1995- The 44th Western Poultry Disease Conference

Scientists announced the natural food spirulina dramatically strengthens the immune system. Immunologist and Professor M.A. Qureshi, PhD, released a study sponsored by Earthrise Company of California. "Immunomodulary Effects of Spirulina Supplementation in Chickens"1,2 shows small daily doses of spirulina in a poultry diet (less than 1%) greatly improve T-cell and thymus function. Spirulina especially boosts cells called macrophages, the first line of body defense. These cells communicate with T-cells to coordinate the fight against infections.

Spirulina caused the cells to increase in number, be more active and display more effective microbial killing. The whole immune system array of killer cells, helper cells and antibody production is supercharged. This means spirulina fed birds are much more resistant to infection, with no undesirable side effects.

Researchers are testing the theory that spirulina acts like a broad spectrum vaccine against bacteria. It may also protect against other disease causing microbes and cancer. Because it is a safe natural food, it has created a sensation among animal scientists. They are scrambling to replace ineffective antibiotics with probiotics like spirulina that strengthen immune systems and prevent disease.

Scientists in China and Japan independently reported spirulina and its extracts fed to mice increase macrophage function, antibody production and infection-fighting T-cells. 3,4,5 One study found spirulina extracts inhibited cancer by boosting the immune system.6 The active phytonutrients are a polysaccharide (a complex sugar molecule) unique to spirulina and phycocyanin (the blue pigment found only in blue-green algae). In 1979, Russian scientists published initial research on the immune stimulating effects on rabbits from lipopolysaccharides in spirulina.7

These discoveries are significant for human health. Overused antibiotics have created highly resistant bacteria. Most antibiotics are no longer effective. Now scientists want to identify probiotics that strengthen the immune system to prevent disease and cancer. Based on this animal research, as little as 3 grams per day of spirulina may be effective for humans. It seems to turbocharge the immune system to seek out and destroy disease causing microorganisms and cancer cells.

Spirulina, blue-green algae, is 60% all-vegetable protein, easy-to-digest, with the highest food concentration of the antioxidant beta carotene, iron, vitamin B-12, and the rare gamma-linolenic acid (GLA). Its dark green color comes from the combination of the phytonutrients carotene, chlorophyll and phycocyanin. It is also a source of polysaccharides and sulfoglycolipids. In the past 15 years, this nutritious microscopic aquatic plant has gained worldwide acceptance.

References:

1. Immunomodulary effects of spirulina supplementation in chickens. by M. Qureshi, et al. May 1995. North Carolina State. Pub. in Proc. of 44th Western Poultry Disease Conference, pp 117-120. USA.
2. Immune enhancement potential of spirulina in chickens. by M. Quereshi, et al. August 1994. Poultry Science Assoc. Dept. of Poultry Science, North Carolina State, NC. Pub. in Journal of Poultry Science Vol 73, S.1. p. 46. USA.

Russian patent awarded for Spirulina as a medicine to reduce allergic reactions from radiation sickness

Petaluma, CA January 2, 1995

A Russian patent was awarded for the use of spirulina as a medical food for improving immunity of the Children of Chernobyl. Studies showed that 270 children, living in highly radioactive areas, had chronic radiation sickness and elevated levels of Immunoglobulin E (IgE), a marker for high allergy sensitivity. Thirty five pre school children were prescribed 20 spirulina tablets per day (about 5 grams) for 45 days. Consuming spirulina lowered the levels of IgE in the blood, which in turn, normalized allergic sensitivities in the body.

Spirulina is a safe whole food consumed by traditional peoples for centuries. It has been enjoyed by millions of people as a natural food supplement in the USA, Japan and Europe for over 15 years. This edible blue-green algae is 60% all-vegetable protein, easy-to-digest, with the highest food concentration of beta carotene, iron, vitamin B-12, and the rare gamma-linolenic acid (GLA). A growing number of scientific studies have documented its immune enhancement benefits.

Spirulina for this research was grown at Earthrise Farms in California, and was donated by Earthrise Company and Dainippon Ink & Chemicals of Japan. Since 1990 Earthrise has donated spirulina to radiation clinics for the Children of Chernobyl.

Reference:

Means to normalize the levels of immunoglobulin E, using the food supplement Spirulina. by L. Evets, et al. 1994. Grodenski State Medical Univ. Russian Federation Committee of Patents and Trade. Patent (19)RU (11)2005486. Jan. 15, 1994. Russia.