Miracle food – Spirulina for Children
Of all the humans that can benefit from taking Spirulina, children can benefit the most. Children love Spirulina & it is highly nutritious for them. Children of all ages can eat Spirulina in complete safety and assimilate its nutrients without difficulty. Even malnourished children with diminished capacity for nutrient absorption could assimilate Spirulina and recover from malnutrition. Spirulina can builds up tissue growth, improve vision,strengthens body’s immune system there by improves resistance to chronic infections, ability to heal and ability to concentrate in children. Therefore, we have been promoting Spirulina for children in our campaigns
Is it safe for Children?
Spirulina like many other plant-based super foods, is absolutely safe for kids to eat. As food, spirulina represents a complete vegetarian protein source. When it is sourced safely and administered correctly, it can be a fantastic supplement for adults and children.
The keys to safely giving your kids spirulina is to know that you are getting it from a safe, reputable source, and to know how much to give them. This is why it is especially important that you only purchase your spirulina, for yourself and for your children, from a reputable, trusted source, like New Age Nutrition. We only use the purest water and the safest, most ethical harvesting methods.
Spirulina for Children -Indian Studies:
In India, large scale studies with preschool children showed carotenes in Spirulina helped children recover from symptoms of Vitamin A deficiency.
Malnourishment:
The study among 20 malnourished children in the age group of six years, supplementation of Spirulina at 1g/day for three months showed that there was an increase in serum haemoglobin level and serum protein (1). Change in the academic performance and intelligence level of the children was also seen in the Spirulina supplemented group.
A follow-up study among 146 malnourished children for a period of one year indicated that apart from the increase in serum protein and serum albumin level, most of the clinical symptoms like pale conjunctiva showing higher incidence of anemia, and symptoms like fever, cough, eye and skin infection were reduced after the Spirulina supplementation.
Improvement of Vitamin- A Status:
Spirulina feeding among 5000 rural pre-school children with 1g/day reduced the prevalence of Bitot’s spot and prevented the occurrence of severe form of Vitamin A deficiency – Corneal xerosis. Spirulina supplementation increased the serum retinol levels and reduced the prevalence of B complex deficiency in the preschool children.
In another study among preschool children of 3-5 years of age, supplementation of Spirulina at 2g/day for a period of 30 days revealed that the bioavailability of carotenes from Spirulina was comparable to other plant sources. Increase in serum betacarotene level from deficient level to a range close to normal individual level was seen in a study among 30 pre-school children with the supplementation of Spirulina at 2g/day for a period of 30days.
Studies on Spirulina for children world wide:
Mexico – Spirulina was given to undernourished children in Mexico, and adults with beneficial results. It was more than 10% of their diet and no adverse effects were noted. In Togo, rapid recovery of malnourished infants was reported in a village clinic. Children given 12-15gms per day mixed with millet, water and spices, recovered in few weeks.
Romania – Tablets were given to patients with nutritional deficiencies in a Bucharest municipal hospital. Patients had suffered weight loss in conjunction with chronic pancreatitis, rheumatoid arthritis, anaemia, diabetes and other symptoms. The patients gained weight and their health improved.
Chernobyl – The children of Chernobyl suffered radiation poisoning from eating food grown on radioactive soil. Their bone marrow was damaged, rendering them immuno-deficient. Radiation damaged bone marrow cannot produce normal red or white blood cells. The children were anaemic and suffered from terrible allergic reactions. Children were fed just five grams in tablets each day made dramatic recoveries within six weeks. As little as ten grams a day brought rapid recovery from malnutrition, especially for infants.
China – Spirulina is prescribed at Nanjing Children’s Hospital as a “baby nourishing formula” with baked barley sprouts. 27 of 30 children aged two to six recovered in a short period from bad appetite, night sweat, diarrhea and constipation. The researchers concluded this is a genuine health food for children. In another study, children deficient in the essential mineral zinc, made more rapid recovery with high zinc Spirulina than a standard zinc supplement
Spirulina for Children – a Powerhouse of Nutrition
Just for a quick reference here are some of essential nutritional benefits of Spirulina-
| Chlorophyll | Chlorophyll is only one molecule different from haemoglobin in human blood and is thought to help detoxify our bodies |
| Beta carotene | It is pure vitamin A. This antioxidant aids vision in dim light |
| GLA | Gamma linolenic acid is an Omega-6 essential fatty acid. It is believed to have anti-inflammatory properties and may help to relieve pain |
| Iron | Helps carry oxygen throughout the body and is essential for healthy blood cells and keeps muscle healthy |
| Zinc | Helps produce new cells and enzymes and promotes the healing of wounds |
| Potassium | Helps maintain a healthy heart, lowers blood pressure |
| Magnesium | Helps turn the food we eat into energy, lowers blood pressure, keeps bones healthy and helps prevent osteoporosis |
| Calcium | Essential for strong bones and teeth, regulates muscle contraction |
| Vitamin E | Helps to maintain healthy skin and protects cell membranes |
| Vitamin C | Also known as ascorbic acid, this is one of the most essential elements of any diet, and is particularly beneficial to the immune system, in helping to prevent colds and flu |
Exceptional Source of Nutrition for your Children
Not only is spirulina a great source of protein and many of the other essential building blocks of whole nutrition in a sound diet, but it also comes without the ecological compromises of many other protein sources. When Spirulina is harvested, packaged, and distributed ethically, it has almost no negative impact on our fragile ecosystem.
Unlike animal-based sources of protein, the production of Spirulina does not produce harmful green-house gases, deplete our world’s dwindling fresh water supply, or contaminate the water table. With all that in mind, Spirulina is basically a guilt-free nutritional powerhouse – and one that’s good for both you and your children.
It is very important for children to begin healthy eating habits at a young age because rich nutrition is not only necessary for their bodies to grow, but it can also influence the way they eat throughout their life. New Age Nutrition’s unadulterated Prodiet Spirulina is an excellent source of rich nutrition that is safe for children and can easily be included into their diet.