Used in Japan for years, spirulina is a microalgae grown in alkaline, warm-water lakes. Spirulina’s green colour is due to its chlorophyll content. Chlorophyll acts as an antioxidant and may have medicinal benefits against cancer. Spirulina is also rich in phycocyanin, a pigment with anti-cancer properties.

Studies show the anti-cancer properties of spirulina.

Beta carotene is one of the most effective substances for deactivating free radicals, which damage cells, leading to cancer. Spirulina is the richest beta carotene food known, having over ten times more beta carotene than any other food, including carrots. Studies show that vitamin A and beta carotene inhibit the development of various cancers and tumors. Beta carotene (and not the preformed Vitamin A from animal sources) correlated with lower cancer rates.

A 1987 Israeli study demonstrated natural beta carotene is more effective than synthetic beta carotene. Natural beta carotene is better assimilated by the body because it contains the 9-cis carotenoid isomer which is lacking in synthetic carotene molecules. This means that beta carotene in algae and vegetables has a greater antioxidant power than synthetic beta carotene.

An Indian study found that spirulina inhibits the growth of oral tumors: “We evaluated the chemopreventive activity of Spirulina fusiformis (SF) (1 g/day for 12 mos) in reversing oral leukoplakia in pan tobacco chewers in Kerala, India. Complete regression of lesions was observed in 20 of 44 (45%) of subjects supplemented with SF, as opposed to 3 of 43 (7%) in the placebo arm.”

The Harvard University School of Dental Medicine reduced oral cancer cells with spirulina extracts. A beta carotene solution applied to cancerous tumours in mouths of hamsters reduced the number and size of tumours or caused them to disappear. When a beta carotene extract was fed to 20 hamsters pre-treated to develop mouth cancer, none developed the disease. Tissue samples contained an immune stimulating substance believed to have destroyed cancer cells before they could multiply.

Spirulina as a supplement

A traditional food source in parts of Africa and Mexico, spirulina is a rich source of vitamins, minerals, and protein, GLA (essential fatty acid) and one of the few vegetable sources of vitamin B12. AS well as its potential anti-cancer properties, spirulina is a good supplement with many benefits.

References:

Amotz, B.A. Presentation to Polysaccharides from microalgae workshop. Duke University, 1987.

Balch, P.A. and Balch, J.F. Prescription For Nutritional Healing.

Mathew B, Sankaranarayanan R, Nair PP, Varghese C, Somanathan T, Amma BP, Amma NS, Nair MK. Evaluation of chemoprevention of oral cancer with spirulina fusiformis. Nutrition and Cancer 1995; 24(2):197-202.

Menkes, et al. Serum beta carotene, vitamins A and E, selenium, and the risk of lung cancer. N.E. Journal of Medicine, Nov. 1986, p. 1250.

Pitchford P. Healing with Whole Foods.

Schwartz, J., Scklar, G., Suda, D. Inhibition of experimental oral carcinogenesis by topical beta carotene. Harvard School of Dental Med. Carcinogenesis, May 1986, 7(5) 711-715.

Shekelle,R.B.etal. DietaryVitaminA and risk of cancer in Western Electric study. Lancet,1981,8257:1185-1189.

A recent study involving 1,179 healthy women from rural Nebraska indicates that high levels of vitamin D combined with calcium may help in the fight against cancer.  One group of women was given calcium (around 1500 mg daily) and vitamin D (1100 IU daily) while another group was given a placebo.  Over four years, the group receiving the calcium and vitamin D supplements showed a 60 percent decrease in cancers.

The amounts of vitamin D taken are several times the recommended levels.  The cancer industry opposes these high levels of supplementation.  You would almost think they wanted people to get cancer. Calcium and vitamin D are low cost supplements.  Sunlight exposure also produces vitamin D; we make our own vitamin D when our skin is exposed to sunlight.  Sunscreen prevents the body from making vitamin D; a SPF 8 sunscreen reduces the body’s ability to make vitamin D by 95%.  Of course we don’t want to get sunburn. It is suggested that long walks in the sun without sunburn are possible if your diet is high in anti-oxidant super foods and fresh produce.  Try eating more sprouted seeds, avocado, spirulina, nuts, fresh fruit and vegetables. Increase your sun exposure slowly to avoid sunburn.

It is interesting that dark skin pigmentation blocks ultraviolet radiation.  This means that black people need more sun exposure to make useful amounts of vitamin D.  Perhaps it is no coincidence that black men show high levels of prostrate cancer and black women show extremely high rates of breast cancer.  Surely these simple facts are well known by the medical industry?  The idea that you can greatly reduce your risk of getting cancer simply by walking in the sun, must be a big worry to the cancer industry.

In the body, vitamin D is converted into a steroid hormone, and genes responding to it play a crucial role in fixing damaged cells and maintaining good cell health.  “There is no better anti-cancer agent than activated vitamin D. I mean, it does everything you’d want,” said Dr. Cannell of the Vitamin D Council, a non-profit, California-based organization.

How much sunlight is needed to produce adequate levels of vitamin D?  Only 10 to 15 minutes a day of full body exposure without sunscreen can be enough, but the actual amount needed depends on skin colour and location.  Latitude is the main factor, the further the location from the equator, the longer the necessary exposure time.  Those who receive no regular sunlight exposure must obtain vitamin D from food or supplements.  Multivitamins typically do not have enough and it is impractical to drink three litres of milk a day. A daily supplement of 1000 IU of vitamin D is recommended by many health professionals.

References:

Holick, Michael Dr.  The UV Advantage.
Moritz, Andreas. Heal Yourself with Sunlight. 2003