Blue algae: properties, use and contraindications



Blue algae have antioxidant, immunostimulating and anticancer properties, and are useful for the health of the skin and the body. Let's find out better

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Description of algae

Blue algae are unicellular prokaryotic and autotrophic bacteria of ancient origin, dating back more than three billion years ago, more commonly known as cyanobacteria and scientifically as Cyanobacteria, Cianofita, Mixoficee, Schizoficee or Cianoficee .

They have been found in fossil remains of Canada, southern Africa and Australia. Blue-green algae are the first oxygen producers on the planet and are at the origin of the biological and food chain.

Edible species can be considered one of the most concentrated food sources known and provide an excellent nutritional and energy supply .

Properties and use of blue algae

The blue algae, or those with bluish-green hues, are commonly called blue due to their color, which is such thanks to a pigment called phycocyanin, able to hide the green color of chlorophyll; in addition to this pigment, in cyanobacteria it is possible to find allopicocyanins and phycoerythins .

They grow and reproduce by asexual splitting in thermal or cold waters and in sweet or savory ones. There are about 2, 000 species of blue algae. Among these are the most famous "special" microalgae, Spirulina , Klamath and Chlorella, commonly called blue-green algae, although this use is not correct, because "algae" is a term now limited only to eukaryotic organisms, while Spirulina, Klamath and Chlorella are classified as " prokaryotic cyanobacteria ".

As for the red algae, also the blue ones contribute to the formation of carbonate platforms, such as those of the coral reef, for example: thanks to photosynthesis, they favor the precipitation of calcium bicarbonate.

All the varieties of blue algae are able to produce cyanotoxins or toxins useful to the same algae as a defense against other unicellular algae, protozoa or potentially dangerous microorganisms.

The blue algae manage to live in extreme living conditions, turning into spores through a process called sporulation; in symbiosis with fungi, they form lichens .

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Benefits of blue algae

Some species of blue algae, such as Arthrospira platensis and Arthrospira maxima Kütz, for example, are cultivated for phytotherapy and healing purposes.

They are in fact grown, dried and freeze-dried to be used for the preparation of supplements, as some species contain a lot of proteins. Arthrospira platensis, in particular, is used because it is rich in mineral salts, vitamins and gamma-linolenic acid, an essential fatty acid; this algal species also contains a small amount of vitamin B12 .

Antioxidant, immunostimulating and anticancer properties are ascribed to blue algae. Many other vitamins are present:

  • beta-carotene, useful for the eyes,
  • B vitamins that protect the nervous system, heart and bones,
  • vitamin D that protects the immune system and remineralizes the bones,
  • vitamin E which is antioxidant and immunostimulant.

Due to the peculiarity of their active ingredients, they are used in the formulation of cosmetic and cosmetic care products, in particular for algotherapy and thalassotherapy .

In the cosmetic field, their richness in mineral salts, including iodine at high concentrations, makes them capable of activating the physiological mechanisms in the deep layers of the tissues, favoring drainage, toning and firming; they are therefore particularly useful for fighting cellulite, water retention and sagging skin.

Contraindications

Algae are generally contraindicated for subjects sensitive to iodine and for those suffering from hyperthyroidism, and so are blue algae.

These are people whose basal metabolism, already quite fast compared to the average, is further accelerated by iodine. Algae are equally contraindicated only for those who must follow very severe low-sodium dietary regimes.

Like all algae, even the blue ones can be subject to possible contamination by microcystins or heavy meltalli and toxic substances : this is a problem that affects most of the planet's aquifers.

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