 
Spirulina Algae; The aquatic health benefits for Tropical, Marine and Goldfish.Including; • Its importance as an antioxidant • Use in gut loading for carnivores • Video about Spirulina Production |
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Spirulina Algae; The aquatic health benefits for Tropical, Marine and Goldfish. Including; • Its importance as an antioxidant • Use in gut loading for carnivores • Video about Spirulina Production |
WHAT IS SPIRULINA ALGAE? Spirulina is a planktonic blue-green algae found in warm water alkaline volcanic lakes and is rich in raw protein and seven major vitamins: A1, B1, B2, B6, B12 (one of the best natural sources for B12), C and E. It naturally contains beta-carotene, color enhancing pigments, and whole range of minerals. In addition, Spirulina has a 62% amino acid content and contains all essential fatty acids and eight amino acids required for complete nutrition. Evidence as recent as late 2007 shows even more proof as to the profound anti-oxidant properties of Spirulina. Predominantly found in the wild in East African Rift Valley Lakes, most commercial Spirulina used for human and fish food consumption primarily is grown in the USA, Thailand, India and China. Spirulina is different from other algae and is similar to bacteria in many ways, occupying a niche between plants and bacteria. Spirulina is similar to cyanobacteria in structure (spiral shape, unlike true plant plankton), which can be toxic. Spirulina Blue- Green algae are recognized by the body (fish in particular) as a bacterium, causing an increase in antibodies, which in turn increases disease resistance. Spirulina is not Chlorella (the blue-green algae harvested from Klamath Lake, Oregon). Chlorella is a green micro-algae and does not have the same anti-viral, anti-cancer and immune stimulating properties of Spirulina. The Chlorella cell wall is made of indigestible cellulose, just like green grass, while the cell wall of Spirulina is made of complexed proteins and sugars. Spirulina has a soft cell wall made of complex sugars and protein, and is different from most other algae in that it is more easily digested. Spirulina is also high in usable or digestible amino acids (the building blocks of proteins); proteins from cereal and soy are not as digestible by fish as the amino acids found in spirulina. Spirulina provides all the required amino acids, and in a form that is five times easier to digest than meat or soy protein. An analogy used at a pet food seminar I attended was this: You can achieve the protein analysis on many pet foods with a used pair of leather shoes, but leather shoes contain little usable proteins. AQUATIC HEALTH BENEFITS: Minerals: Besides the above mentioned high protein content and digestibility, Spirulina come from waters with minerals deposited from ancient soils and mountains that no other plants can live there. Due to the fact that Spirulina thrives in such alkaline waters, it incorporates and synthesizes many minerals and derivative compounds into its cell structure. Transformed into natural organic forms by Spirulina, minerals become chelated with amino acids and are therefore more easily assimilated by the body. Fish can ingest high amounts of added inorganic minerals (most fish foods are low in natural calcium and need added calcium to meet requirements) without benefit to health because the fish (or other aquatic organism such as shrimp) body does not know what to do with these incompatible forms. In fact, evidence is accumulating that the inorganic minerals can block absorption of the organic forms, leading ultimately to mineral deficiency diseases (see this human study: Dietary calcium better ) Spirulina Algae’s most profound Benefit; It Improves Immune Function:  Spirulina provides phycocyanin, a source of biliverdin which is among the most potent of all intra-cellular antioxidants. Spirulina is a powerful tonic for the immune system. In scientific studies of mice, hamsters, chickens, turkeys, cats and fish, Spirulina consistently improves immune system function. An animal (fish for our purposes) produces unconjugated biliverdin, a yellow colored breakdown product of normal heme catabolism, formed by failing red blood cells. Heme (also called Haem in the UK) is composed of iron plus amino acids from globin of hemoglobin. Erythrocytes which have a 120 day life span transport oxygen and carbon dioxide between the lungs and all the tissues of the body (a circulating erythrocyte is little more than a container for hemoglobin) are broken down utilizing these Heme via the tetrapyrrole; biliverdin, which is then converted to bilirubin and carried to the liver by the plasma protein. Bilirubin is excreted in bile, and its levels are elevated in certain diseases and is then transported into the cytoplasm of every cell in the body of the animal (fish). As stated earlier, an enzyme called biliverdin reductase, converts the biliverdin to unconjugated bilirubin. The bilirubin quickly oxidizes back into biliverdin, and just as quickly biliverdin reductase recycles it back again into bilirubin. This form of bilirubin, (similar to the bilin in hemoglobin or bile.), has been shown to be 10,000 times as powerful an antioxidant as is glutathione. The unconjugated bilirubin is also a powerful inhibitor of NADPH Oxidase (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate-oxidase). This enzyme is a major source of Super Oxide in an animal’s body, and is involved in dozens of degenerative processes involved in disease resistance, aging and similar processes in fish and other animals (including humans). There is now strong evidence that Spirulina supplements the amount of unconjugated biliverdin which the fish or other animals are born with, providing profound protection from oxidative stress. Scientists also find Spirulina not only stimulates the immune system through before described process, it actually enhances the animal’s body’s ability to generate new blood cells. THIS REASON ALONE is why Spirulina should be part of EVERY fish’ aquatic diet, INCLUDING carnivores where it should be fed via gut loading of worms, feeder fish, or crickets (which I have done for my clients Arowanas diet). Spirulina aids in building red blood cells and stem cells: Spirulina is rich in a brilliant blue polypeptide called Phycocyanin. Studies show that Phycocyanin affects the stem cells found in bone marrow. Stem cells are "Grandmother" to both the white blood cells that make up the cellular immune system and red blood cells that oxygenate the body. “Chinese scientists document Phycocyanin stimulating hematopoiesis, (the creation of blood), emulating the affect of the hormone erythropoetin, (EPO). EPO is produced by healthy kidneys and regulates bone marrow stem cell production of red blood cells. Chinese scientists claim Phycocyanin also regulates production of white blood cells, even when bone marrow stem cells are damaged by toxic chemicals or radiation” The Effects of Polysaccharide and Phycocyanin from Spirulina platensis variety on Peripheral blood and Hematopoietic system of Bone Marrow in Mice. Spirulina Anti-Viral and Anti-Cancer abilities: Calcium-Spirulan is a polymerized sugar molecule unique to Spirulina containing both Sulfur and Calcium (another important element often missing from many aquariums). In studies hamsters treated with this water soluble extract had better recovery rates when infected with what would be a lethal Herpes virus. This works because Calcium-Spirulan does not allow the virus to penetrate the cell membrane to infect the cell. The virus is stuck, unable to replicate. It is eventually eliminated by the body's natural defenses. Several studies show Spirulina or its extracts can prevent or inhibit cancers in humans, animals, and fish. Some forms of cancer are the result of damaged cell DNA “out of control”, causing uncontrolled cell growth. Cellular biologists have defined a system of special enzymes called Endonuclease which repair damaged DNA to keep cells alive and healthy. When these enzymes are deactivated by oxidation, radiation or toxins, errors in DNA go un-repaired and, cancer may develop. In vitro studies suggest the unique polysaccharides of Spirulina enhance cell nucleus enzyme activity and DNA repair synthesis. This may be why several scientific studies, observing experimental cancers in animals, report high levels of suppression of several important types of cancer. SPIRULINA ANALYSIS Here is the general analysis of pure Spirulina Algae: Protein: 55%- 70% Carbohydrates: 15% - 25% (an excellent low ratio for fish) Fats (lipids): 6% - 8% Minerals: 6 -13% Fiber: 8% - 10% Natural Pigment Enhancers: Phycocyanin (Blue): 14% Chlorophyll (Green): 1% Carotenoids (Orange/ Red): 47% Important Trace Minerals (many of these are essential for proper electrolyte balance and osmotic function): Calcium (1,315 mg/kg), Iron, Phosphorus (15,400 mg/kg), Iodine, Magnesium, Zinc, Selenium, Copper, Manganese, Chromium, Molybdenum, Sodium, Chloride, Potassium, Germanium, Boron. Essential Amino Acids: • ISOLEUCINE (4.130/o): Required for optimal growth, nitrogen equilibrium in the body Used to synthesize other non-essential amino acids. • LEUCINE (5.8001o): increases muscular energy levels. • LYSINE (4.000/o): Building block of blood antibodies, strengthens circulatory system and maintains normal growth of cells. • METHIONINE (2.170/o): Vital lipotropic (fat and lipid metabolizing) amino acid that maintains liver health. An anti-stress factor. • PHENYLALANINE (3.950/o): Stimulates metabolic rate. • THREONINE (4.170/o): Improves intestinal competence and digestive assimilation. • TRYPTOPHANE (1.1301o): Increases utilization of B vitamins, improves nerve health. • VALINE (6.0001o): Stimulates muscle coordination. SPIRULINA AS A FISH FOOD;  It is possible to have a staple fish food that has its primary ingredient as spirulina algae and be an effective diet for most fish. Even carnivores can benefit by feeding spirulina based flakes to feeder fish before feeding as most carnivores in the wild obtain many nutrients from the intestinal tract of the fish they consume.What is important to note is that most commercial fish foods that call themselves Spirulina Flakes (Spirulina 20 the exception) have spirulina quite far down on their lists of ingredients (Tetra in particular). You need a food that is 10-20% spirulina to obtain these benefits. Even some of the quality brands of fish food that often recommend (such as Omega) do NOT have Spirulina as the number one ingredient, SO READ the label! Along with adequate calcium and magnesium in the water (especially for marine organisms), Spirulina helps insure proper electrolyte function, calcium levels over calcium and other minerals that are added to fish food as an after thought to make up for poor quality ingredients.  SPIRULINA 20, the only balanced fish food flake with a full 20% spirulina Spirulina 20 flakes contain a full 20% Spirulina and provide a complete high protein diet for freshwater, saltwater fish, goldfish, crustaceans, and invertebrates. Spirulina 20 is a particularly ideal food for the vegetative needs of African Cichlids, Livebearers, in addition to Saltwater Tangs and Angels. Research has shown that fresh and saltwater fish exhibit superior growth, maturity, energetic behavior, and more elegant coloring when fed Spirulina. It is also well documented that Spirulina improves egg production and hatching rates, stimulates the reproductive processes, increases survival rates of younger fish, and arouses the appetite of fish. The use of Spirulina as a major ingredients been of interest to me since some of my earlier days in the Aquarium Trade. In this case I have conducted my own side by side comparisons (with scientific control groups) over the years using Spirulina based foods (not ones such as Tetra that only have token amounts of Spirulina, but ones that have this as the #1 ingredient). This research of mine is among my oldest dating back into the late 1970s. An aquatic supplier (Aquatronics) even nicknamed me the "Green Flake Man" (after the name of the brand of food that was sold then that had Spirulina Algae as its #1 ingredient). I was an early believer of this ingredient based on my tests. Ingredients for Spirulina 20 Flake Food: Spirulina, ground whole wheat, whole fish meal, defatted soy meal, wheat flour, torula dried yeast, vital wheat gluten, fish oil, biophos, soy oil, lecithin, natural colors. GUARANTEED ANALYSIS: Min. Crude Protein- 40% Min. Crude Fat- 6% Max Crude Fiber- 2% Max Moisture- 8% Another excellent source for Spirulina that uses Spirulina Algae as its primary ingredient is Ocean Nutrition’s Frozen Spirulina Formula CONCLUSION: The tests on Spirulina based fish foods are my oldest, dating back to the late 70s where I used a Restaurant (the Bahooka Restaurant) with over 100 aquariums that I had full control maintenance contract to perform side by side comparisons of different fish foods including a Spirulina based food called “Green Flake Plus” by Aquatronics. I later earned the nickname, “Green Flake Man” due to the amount of this product I used and sold. My point in mentioning this is that I have received some rather nasty comments in forums (Yahoo Answers in particular) when I mention that I recommend this over TetraMin or others. The comments usually will state that “I have reared many fish over the years exclusively on TetraMin and they have done fine”. That is fine, so have I, HOWEVER scientifically controlled tests state that you can do MUCH better with your fish food flake. Of the results I noted (in BOTH saltwater and Freshwater) were: improved color, slightly better longevity, but most notably, an easily noted lesser incidence of disease. Another comment that is very anecdotal and without real nutritional basis is “My fish love fish food xyz so much, this must mean this is a good food”. This is about as bad an argument as it gets for fish food quality. My children will take a piece of candy almost every time over a carrot, but that does not make the candy better. An even better comparison is I once read a study at a pet nutrition seminar that showed a dog will almost always prefer cat food over dog food, yet if you took this to heart and fed your do nothing but cat food, you would have a very sick dog over time. Spirulina based foods (And I mean based, not Spirulina as the #2 ingredient or often much lower as with most so called Spirulina Flakes) have lower appetite appeal, however this is usually over come once fish adjust to the new Spirulina based flake. The bottom line as to Spirulina, is that this is an area where I have seen noticeable differences in fish health (including carnivores fed gut loaded food with Spirulina Algae) and very new scientific research especially into biliverdin and its antioxidant properties further makes the point that Spirulina based fish foods are a MUST for aquatic diets despite some of the misinformation I have read in many places such as Yahoo Answers. Here is video about Spirulina Production Information from one of the largest commercial producers of Spirulina (primarily for human consumption): Earthrise Farms Spirulina Further reading; references: Yahoo Groups; Spirulina Erythrocytes http://www.biochemj.org/bj/369/0429/bj3690429.htm 1. Lu HK, Hsieh CC, Hsu JJ, Yang YK, Chou HN. Preventive effects of Spirulina platensis on skeletal muscle damage under exercise-induced oxidative stress. Eur J Appl Physiol. 2006 Sep;98 2. Hirahashi T, Matsumoto M, Hazeki K, Saeki Y, Ui M, Seya T. Activation of the human innate immune system by Spirulina: augmentation of interferon production and NK cytotoxicity by oral administration of hot water extract of Spirulina platensis. Int Immunopharmacol. 2002 Mar;2. 3. Mao TK, Van de Water J, Gershwin ME. Effects of a Spirulina- based dietary supplement on cytokine production from allergic rhinitis patients. J Med Food. 2005 Spring 8 4. Gershwin ME, Belay A. Spirulina in Human Nutrition and Health. CRC Press Taylor & Francis Group ISBN 13:978-1-4200-5256-5 5. Sedlak TW, Snyder SH. Bilirubin benefits: cellular protection by a biliverdin reductase antioxidant cycle. Pediatrics. 2004 Jun;113. 6. McCarty MF. Clinical potential of Spirulina as a source of phycocyanobilin. J Med Food. 2007 Dec;10(4):566-70. 7. McCarty MF. 'Iatrogenic Gilbert syndrome''--a strategy for reducing vascular and cancer risk by increasing plasma unconjugated bilirubin. Med Hypotheses. 2007;69 8. Riss J, Décordé K, Sutra T, Delage M, Baccou JC, Jouy N, Brune JP, Oréal H, Cristol JP, Rouanet JM. Phycobiliprotein C- phycocyanin from Spirulina platensis is powerfully responsible for reducing oxidative stress and NADPH oxidase expression induced by an atherogenic diet in hamsters. J Agric Food Chem. 2007 Sep 19;55 9. Strömberg I, Gemma C, Vila J, Bickford PC. Blueberry- and spirulina-enriched diets enhance striatal dopamine recovery andinduce a rapid, transient microglia activation after injury of the rat nigrostriatal dopamine system. Exp Neurol. 2005 Dec; 307. Epub 2005 Sep 19. 10. Reddy CM, Bhat VB, Kiranmai G, Reddy MN, Reddanna P. Madyastha KM. Selective inhibition of cyclooxygenase-2 by C-phycocyanin, a biliprotein from Spirulina platensis. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2000 Nov 2 For more aquarium information and articles (pond too), please visit this site:   
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