Study Finds Spirulina to Boost Academic Performance, Brain Power
Used medicinally for centuries, spirulina is said to be one of the oldest life forms on earth, eaten since at least the 9th century in the Kanem Empire of Chad, Africa. We know it’s loaded with protein and other nutritional benefits, but a recent study indicates it could even help children with academic performance.
Eyed as a potential malnutrition-ending supplement for its wealth of nutrients, there are more than 40,000 varieties of spirulina, mostly cultivated in fresh water. Because it has less than 4 calories per gram, it can offer premium nutrition without the risk of obesity.
It was this use of spirulina, as a malnutrition-staving supplement, that interested researchers in Senegal. They were evaluating a government program designed to improve the nutritional intake of school children in that country using spirulina supplements.
For the study, published in the journal Sante Publique, children with an average age of 7 years and 7 months were given 2g of spirulina once daily for two months. Their academic performance was compared with other children.
On average, the 549 children saw a 10% increase in their academic performance.
The researchers couldn’t say for certain that the spirulina caused the improved performance; not enough research has been done.
However, the researchers think that spirulina could have this positive effect through several mechanisms, one of which involves increasing the amount of L-tryptophan, an amino acid the body uses to synthesize brain chemicals like serotonin and melatonin.
Read: We Should be Protecting Our Deep Sea Medicine, Spirulina
Similarly, other studies indicate spirulina can improve mental health, cognitive ability, and overall brain health:
- One study comparing three antioxidant-rich diets (blueberries, spinach, and spirulina) and their neuroprotective effects found spirulina to have the highest neuroprotective effect, possibly due to its ability to squelch free radicals and reduce inflammation.
- Another study found that spirulina may protect the brain from damage and degenerative disease, like Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease.
- And yet another study concludes: “These results support the hypothesis that a diet enriched with spirulina and other nutraceuticals may help protect the stem/progenitor cells from insults”.
Further, the improved brain performance could be attributed to improved health overall. Overall health is related to brain performance, so by boosting the children’s overall health profile, the spirulina could increase their academic potential.
Spirulina is not just a complete protein but 60-70 percent protein by weight, a higher proportion than either soy or red meat. It is rich in vitamins A, C, D and E, as well as in B vitamins, including B-12, which is not typically found in vegetable sources. It also contains a wide variety of minerals, antioxidants and fatty acids that have been shown to contribute to healthier skin and hair, and to fight cell damage.
In addition to brain health and potentially increasing academic performance, spirulina could be good for fighting arthritis, cancer, and allergies. Its’ been shown to boost energy levels and even combat depression and anxiety. Spirulina is a substance definitely worthy of the designation as a “superfood.”
Again, another article that gives no indication on dosage levels needed.
I don’t think the average person is going to figure out how much protein they eat and all of the mathematical equations involved in your example above. I just take about a tsp a day of spirilina (which is what the package recommends on its nutritional label). But it would be nice to know what the average woman or man should take since we are already bombarded with so many supplements that are needed for good health. If I took all of the supplements that are suppose to be good for me I would probably be taking over 25 a day. That is not something I can afford to do.
Spirulina comes in both powder and tablet forms. 99 times out of a 100 the packaging states the suggested amount to take. You should be able to take it from there.
Spirulina, along with chlorella and numerous green veggies, all helped me get over an infection that was killing me for 3 years. I took it in the form of Enerfood, from Enerhealth Botanicals all while eliminating processed foods, sugar, all fast food, etc. I joined an organic co-op and stuck to the program. Only 2 months into my lifestyle change, the MRSA staph infection was gone, never to return. You must understand just how far my infection had gone; I was praying for death towards the 3rd year into it (when it went internal). The pain was agonizing, with no relief possible as it ate huge holes in my lower body. No doctor could do anything but prescribe more anti-biotics (which added a horrible stomach disorder to my malady).
It’s such a shame how utterly useless, harmful, and profit-based the conventional medical system is. I too have had a few longstanding ailments that baffled doctors, who did and could do nothing but keep prescribing toxic antibiotics (one class of which –fluoroquinolones– caused permanent injury) after another. Finally, one day a few years ago I took it upon myself to research nutraceuticals (e.g. spirulina, krill oil, grape seed extract, etc..) and started taking them, along with changing my diet to predominantly Paleo. The results showed themselves within a month; suddenly all my chronic pain, bothersome symptoms, and malaise was gone, and they have never returned as I am sticking to this regimen for life. Conventional doctors, in my opinion, should definitely be better trained on naturopathic solutions such as diet and nutraceuticals. Instead, the lot of them seem content to peddle dangerous and useless pharmaceuticals.
Just wondering what the radiation risks are
with this supplement, Spirulina.
Critical thinking is dead. So you’re in Africa, and you give these kids magic pills. They believe it works. They study harder. Ya think they’ll get better grades?? No kiddin. Who cares what’s inside. UNLESS you do a DOUBLE BLIND study, in a controlled environment, you’ve got nothing. This ‘study’ only shows that giving kids magic pills makes them pay more attention in class. Doesn’t prove anything. And now the mindless drones will flock to the nearest drugstore to mindlessly gather and feed their kids this stuff. Like its a magical Amulet. How far how from the Dark Ages have we really progressed, eh? Rinse and repeat this study next with your choice of substance for similar results.
Silence young peasant. So quick to throw insults, when true genius lives with those who teach rather than abuse. I can only imagine failure in your life over these last three years since this comment.
Most hateful interactions don’t always indicate that it is permanent, but one can’t help but sythesize thoughts about the quality of life that someone like you is currently stewing in.
Arthrospira platensis is quite amazing; Perhaps you should read a book before commenting.
Enjoy your day simpleton,
Helgarth I King of Anshan
Wow so now you also delete comments that don’t fit your beliefs. NIce.