Spirulina for Weight Loss

by Vorst Canada May 03, 2022

spirulina for weight loss

DISCLAIMER: This article has been written for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment

When it comes to losing weight naturally, it’s important to lower the calorie intake and substitute high-calorie meals with ones with lesser calories. Spirulina is widely recommended by clinicians and is considered one of the most healthy weight-loss supplements in the world. Most of the benefits of spirulina for weight loss have been proven by scientific studies over recent years.

In this article, we’ll discuss some of the most common benefits of spirulina for weight loss that are backed by evidence along with what spirulina is and its nutritional profile. So, let’s get started.

What is spirulina?
Benefits of spirulina for weight loss
How to use spirulina
Precautions and side effects
Final words

What is spirulina?

Spirulina, commonly known as blue-green algae, is an aquatic cyanobacterium which is one of the oldest forms of life in the world. It grows in both salt as well as fresh water sources and is famous for its rich virtual nutrients and high protein content.

Spirulina is extremely high in vital micronutrients such as protein, chlorophyll, essential fatty acids, vitamins A, B, C, E, and minerals. This density of nutrients gives spirulina the status of “superfood” and obviously for good reasons with its high nutritional value, spirulina is widely recommended as one of the most powerful weight-loss supplements.

Benefits of spirulina for weight loss

Losing weight is not as easy as most people think, and you will need to develop several healthy habits including eating healthy diets, exercising regularly, and getting adequate sleep. When trying to lose weight, many people may require to add supplements to their diet to deliver the proper nutrients required to maintain essential bodily functions. Spirulina is one of the best dietary supplements one can add to his or her diet while trying to lose weight naturally.

When combined with healthy diet habits and lifestyle, spirulina works wonders to lose weight and get into the dream shape. But how does spirulina help people burn extra fat and lose weight? Let’s explore the points below.

Spirulina is very low in calorie

The first and foremost rule of losing weight is intake fewer calories than the body burns up. For this reason, people who are willing to lose weight have to avoid high-calorie foods and substitute them with low-calorie ones. Spirulina is the perfect choice for this purpose. One tablespoon of spirulina provides only 20 calories. You can get all the necessary nutrients by taking spirulina supplements even if you skip a meal to lose weight.

Spirulina lowers appetite and reduces hunger cravings

Spirulina is rich in phenylalanine, a type of amino acid that stimulates the release of a special gastrointestinal hormone called cholecystokinin which plays a major role in the digestion of fat and protein molecules and can significantly suppress appetite.

Spirulina can act as a great appetite suppressant and therefore, when you consider taking spirulina for weight loss you don’t need to worry about combating hunger cravings since it will make you feel full for a longer period of time.

Spirulina helps lower cholesterol levels

The GLA (gamma-linolenic acid) compounds present in the spirulina have the capacity to reduce cholesterol accumulation in the blood vessels and therefore, can reduce the risk factors of developing several serious health conditions including heart attack, stroke, peripheral vascular disease, and erectile dysfunction.

A 2020 study published in the Open Heart concluded that spirulina has incredible benefits to improve blood lipids, weight loss, and obesity.

Spirulina lowers body fat and waist circumference in obese people

Research suggests that spirulina possesses noticeable fat-lowering properties. It has a miraculous ability to prevent hepatic fat accumulation and reduce macrophage infiltration into visceral fat, resulting in a reduction in body fat percentage and waist circumference.

A 2019 systematic review and meta-analysis of RCTs (randomized clinical trials) on the effects of spirulina supplementation on obesity published in the Complementary Therapies in Medicine concluded that spirulina supplementation is effective in reducing body weight and waist circumference, especially in individuals who are obese.

How to use spirulina

Spirulina is available in many forms including powder, tablets, capsules, and juices. However, most people prefer spirulina powder due to its better solubility and absorbability.

A simple way to use spirulina powder is to add 3 to 6 grams of this weight loss supplement into a glass of water and stir it thoroughly and consume it. Take this weight-loss drink at least twice a day. Alternatively, you can also consider adding spirulina powder to your favorite smoothies, juices, soups, salads, and curries.

Whenever you consider taking spirulina for weight loss, make sure you take it before food so that you can suppress your appetite and at the same time get the required nutrients your body needs to perform well.

Precautions and side effects

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved spirulina, meaning it is considered safe and well-tolerable for human consumption. Since spirulina is grown wild underwater, it may be contaminated with several harmful substances such as microcystins that may cause various health hazards.

Therefore, before buying spirulina supplements, make sure to choose only organic spirulina from trusted and reliable brands like Vorst’s from Canada that don’t use any additives, artificial colors, or gluten in their productions.

However, it’s always the best practice to consult with a licensed naturopathic medical practitioner or nutritionist before starting to consume spirulina for weight loss.

Final words

Spirulina is considered one of the most beneficial “superfoods” that are rich in vital micronutrients. Multiple research studies have substantiated that spirulina possesses significant lipid-lowering properties that can help reduce body fat, waist circumference, and cholesterol levels, especially in people who are obese.

If you want to reap the benefits of spirulina for weight loss, choose only reliable brands that produce only organic spirulina without using any chemical fertilizers, additives, and artificial colors.

Here you can check out Vorst’ Organic Spirulina with Chlorella and Matcha.

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