Hey there, viewers!
Spirulina is a blue green algae popular for its fantastic health benefits.
It’s one of the most nutritionally dense foods on the planet.
It contains all amino acids, B vitamins, iron, and omega 3 fatty acids.
Is it just a superfood though?
Is it equally healthy for your skin?
We do see spirulina in skin care products!
In today’s video, we’ll be discussing spirulina as a superfood for your skin.
Does it really have an anti-aging effect?
Can it eliminate toxins?
We’ll be talking about all of these AND more...
1.
Gut health
Spirulina is great for your gut.
This means you’ll have beautiful skin.
Wait… what?
How is your skin related to your gut?
And how does spirulina help in the first place?
Well, having a healthy gut microbiome means your skin will suffer fewer bouts of inflammation.
Basically, it’s often the imbalance in your gut bacteria that causes skin issues like
acne and eczema.
As both acne and eczema are essentially inflammation.
It’s a sign your immune system is trying to protect you from bad bacteria.
A study has shown spirulina to be helpful in saving healthy bacteria in your gut.
These bacteria get destroyed by both the aging process and bad eating habits.
Even antibiotics can kill your good gut bacteria.
By saving the good bacteria, spirulina essentially improves your skin health.
You’ll notice a lot of improvement in the appearance of loose skin and wrinkles.
In short, spirulina ensures you get smooth glowing skin.
Other research shows this superfood helps moisturize dry skin.
Not just that, it also boasts antioxidants.
You can use spirulina extract in the form of ointments and supplements.
If you don’t like the idea of hopping onto the supplement bandwagon, here’s a natural
drink suggestion, a spirulina lemon shot.
This drink is delicious to sip on a hot day.
It’s loaded with antioxidants, vitamins, and proteins.
Here’s how to make one...
Juice one whole lemon.
Add two pinches of cayenne pepper and one pinch of cumin.
Fill the cup with water and add one teaspoon of spirulina powder.
Stir it well.
Top with ice cubes and serve.
Your spirulina lemon shots are ready!
Have you ever had a spirulina shot?
Which is your favorite flavor?
Lemon?
Mint?
Share your preferences with the Bestie community in the comments below.
2.
Anti-aging
Free radicals, which cause oxidative stress, are produced in your body during the metabolic
process.
Even when you smoke or inhale air pollutants.
They attack your skin cells among others.
This results in skin damage.
The antioxidants present in spirulina can give you anti-aging and anti-inflammatory
effects.
It can ward off free radicals and prevent them from forming wrinkles, along with other
signs of aging.
Research has proven spirulina has a special ingredient, which sets in motion the antioxidant
activity that frees your body of these free radicals.
It also has specific amino acids to keep your skin from becoming loose.
If the lemon shots we talked about a few minutes back didn’t fancy you, maybe this spirulina
smoothie will help.
You’ll need just 5 ingredients to blend for five minutes.
Blend frozen banana, coconut milk, spirulina, cucumber, and spinach together.
You can even add hemp seeds.
Blend until you get a smooth, creamy consistency.
In case you like thin consistency, add more coconut milk.
For thicker, blending another frozen banana helps.
Your spirulina smoothie is ready to be served.
Top it with frozen blueberries, strawberries, roasted pecans, and granola.
You can even drizzle a little honey or maple syrup.
3.
Collagen production
Collagen is one of the most common proteins in your body.
Along with other functions, it provides skin with its structure, and helps hydration.
As you grow older, the level of collagen your body produces decreases.
This leads to dry skin and wrinkles.
Results from a study showed spirulina raises growth aspects in specific cells, which are
an important factor in the production of collagen.
If your collagen production is low, your skin remains tight.
This means no wrinkles!
Here’s a spirulina smoothie recipe I’m sure you are going to love.
All you need to do is blend spirulina, frozen banana, avocado, and blueberries together.
Do not forget to add pineapples, vanilla extract, and unsweetened almond milk!
Your delicious spirulina smoothie is ready!
Top it with freshly cut strawberries and grapes.
4.
May eliminate toxins
Depending on the chemical composition, your skin tends to absorb certain toxic materials,
which could lead to a local reaction.
Many detox products are available on the market, but they don’t actually remove the toxins
from your body.
While your skin can collect a lot of dirt, it can’t do the reverse and expel it.
Toxins can only be removed through organs such as liver, kidney and colon.
Spirulina can help your body eliminate heavy metal toxins, especially arsenic.
One study was conducted on patients with chronic arsenic poisoning.
They were given spirulina extract and zinc two times a day for 16 weeks.
At the end of the study, results showed this particular treatment removed nearly 50% of
the arsenic from their hair.
If you don’t like the idea of spirulina smoothie, you can go for spirulina ice cream.
You can make it at home using this easy recipe.
You’ll need 28 ounces of full fat coconut milk, and half a cup of maple syrup.
Then one tablespoon each of spirulina and chocolate chips.
Blend all the ingredients together except chocolate chips.
Next, transfer the ice cream mixture to a bowl and set it aside for a few minutes.
Then cover it with aluminium foil and leave in the freezer for at least 4 hours.
Your spirulina ice cream will be ready to eat.
Just make sure you thaw the ice cream 20 minutes before serving.
That way, you’ll be able to scoop it.
Sprinkle chocolate chips before serving.
Before we move ahead, here’s another video you might like.
Watch and learn more about 9 foods that boost collagen production in your body.
5.
May prevent candida
Candidiasis is a skin infection caused by a type of fungus called candida.
This fungus resides on the skin and inside parts of your body.
Normally, candida does no harm but if it gets out of control or enters your bloodstream,
it results in infections.
Spirulina has antifungal properties that help protect your skin from candida infection.
A study looked at the invitro activity in the uterus of a guinea pig.
This was to see the impact spirulina has on over 20 different strains of candida.
The results showed spirulina to be effective against the infection, and can even replace
antifungal agents used in treating candida.
6.
Treats Skin Conditions
Your skin can be affected by various conditions such as eczema, acne, and psoriasis.
Spirulina has anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, which help treat these skin conditions.
Let’s go over them one by one.
Treating acne
Acne is a very common skin problem among teenagers and young adults.
The signs you need to look out for include blackheads, pus-filled pimples and large,
red bumps.
While there are many treatments for acne, spirulina could be your best bet to get rid
of the condition.
One study showed that creams with spirulina are more effective for treating acne.
Spirulina’s antioxidant and antimicrobial properties have a positive impact in getting
rid of acne.
In fact, spirulina is a better alternative than local antibiotic therapy as there are
less side effects.
You also don’t build up any antibiotic resistance with spirulina.
Treating psoriasis
Psoriasis is a skin condition characterized by itchy and dry patches.
You will usually see it on your knees, elbows and scalp.
Psoriasis is caused by problems in your immune system.
Even stress and cold can be triggers.Studies have shown spirulina to be effective in reducing
psoriasis.
Treating eczema
Eczema is a skin condition recognisable by the rashes that usually show up on your arms
or behind your knees.
Though more common in these areas, they can show up in other places as well.
Spirulina can also help with treatment of eczema.
One study showed using a spirulina ointment twice daily, for three weeks, improved eczema
symptoms.
While you need to keep away from soap and other similar irritants, using ointments with
spirulina can help you reduce the itching.
You can also try a DIY spirulina face mask to boost your skin health.
All you need to do is take a large quantity of spirulina powder to make a paste with rose
water.
Add a teaspoon of raw organic honey and a few drops of evening primrose oil.
Apply evenly to your face and let it work its magic.
Wash off after 15 minutes, and pat your skin dry.
DIY hacks are fun.
Luckily, we have them for almost everything.
From organizing your kitchen to taking care of your skin.
If you love them, here are a few suggestions…
Watch 20 DIY Life Hacks That Are Both Super Random & Super Awesome.
You can also try 23 Kitchen Hacks That Will Change Your Life.
Go ahead, and click one.
Better yet, watch both, and find out how to improve your life.
Is spirulina a part of your lifestyle?
Let us know in the comments below!