Benefits of Algae – Researchers Say Algae May Help Protect against ALS

Algae have been shown in numerous studies to have a vast array of benefits. Some of the top benefits of algae is that it is so mineral dense as well as a rich source of vitamins. However, a new study has shown that a diet including blue-green algae could fight against Lou Gehrig’s disease, as well. Also known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS, this is a neurological condition which affects the brain in a progressive way. It causes motor neurons, those that control muscle movements, to degenerate over time. About 10% of cases of ALS are caused by genetic factors, while the rest have unknown origins.

Some symptoms of ALS that may be slowed with the benefits of algae include muscle weakening, involuntary twitching, difficulty breathing or swallowing, and eventual paralysis. The head may drop as the neck muscles grow weaker, and there can be speech difficulties exhibited as motor skills become more and more difficult. At the moment, because there is no definitive treatment or cure for ALS, researchers have been on the hunt for any supplements or other treatments that could help slow its spread or alleviate its symptoms.

In a study published in the Open Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine Journal, researchers have found that ingesting Spirulina, a certain type of blue-green algae, helped protect mice from developing ALS as well as other neurodegenerative diseases. Rich in antioxidants, the benefits of algae have been shown to include preventing other diseases or disorders such as cancer and heart disease, but this is one of the first notable studies that also shows a link between algae and ALS. It’s suggested that the antioxidants have a strong effect on this link.

These researchers speculate that the benefits of algae such as antioxidants, as well as its anti-inflammatory properties, help protect the motor neurons from free radicals in the body that would otherwise do them harm. This link has been drawn because there are other foods rich in antioxidants, such as blueberries, that exhibit similar effects in mice. As a conclusion to this research study, the scientists have stated that adding Spirulina to the diet in a supplemental form can help reduce the symptoms of ALS, and may even prevent it from being contracted in the first place. However, as the exact cause is currently unknown, it’s difficult to say what the most effective preventive measures are.

In any case, there are also a number of other benefits of algae, which is why it is a prized dietary component in many eastern cultures. In addition to the antioxidant content, it is also rich in B vitamins, calcium, iron, and potassium. It can also add a more balanced flavor to many dishes, because it is savory without having a particularly overpowering aroma unlike other types of seaweed. While clinical trials in humans have yet to be carried out, many have chosen to add Spirulina to their diet to improve health.