BAC contains many nutritive agents that are known to contribute to the prevention and reversal of cardiovascular health problems. I will enumerate a few here, but not before reminding you that nutrients and their benefits cannot be singled out as being “good for the heart”, since in reality, all nutrients that contribute to cellular health are necessary and good for the heart. Let us not forget that the heart is made up of cells. When the cells of the heart are doing well, then the heart will have a fighting chance.
BAC is rich in fatty acids such as gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) and also provides alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), linoleic acid (LA), stearidonic acid (SDA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and arachidonic acid (AA). Consuming fatty acids is beneficial to lowering LDL cholesterol and reducing the risk of coronary disease.
BAC is also rich in vitamins A, B1 (thiamine), B2 (riboflavin), B3 (nicotinamide), B6 (pyridoxine), B9 (folic acid), B12 (cyanocobalamin), vitamin C, vitamin D, and vitamin E.
Without adequate minerals, there can be no health for the heart. BAC is a rich source of minerals that are tied in to cardiovascular health; potassium, calcium, chromium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, selenium, sodium, zinc, and many more.
Let us not forget the magic of the photosynthetic pigments in BAC including chlorophyll-a, xanthophyll, alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, echinenone, myxoxanthophyll, zeaxanthin, astaxanthin, canthaxanthin, diatoxanthin, lutein, licopene, 3′-hydroxyechinenone, beta-cryptoxanthin, oscillaxanthin, phycobiliproteins c-phycocyanin and allophycocyanin, and others.
“Beta-carotene is just one of the many nutrients in spirulina. This alga also provides iron and is the most concentrated plant source of gamma-linolenic acid (GLA),” according to the World Review of Nutrition and Diet (1995, vol. 77)
There have been thousands of clinical, in vitro and field trials done with algae and the majority of them were done specifically with spirulina. I hope you have read about some of the field studies Dr. Kiriac has conducted with livestock earlier in this book. Next you will read about a few specific nutrients present in BAC that have been demonstrated in independent research to be effective at improving elasticity of heart tissues, increasing the protection of the vascular system, preventing and reducing “bad” cholesterol and preventing atherosclerosis.
Lowering blood cholesterol levels and improving lipid profiles
In a study conducted at the Avinashilingam Institute for Home Science, Deemed University in Coimbatore, India, Dr. Ramamoorthy and his colleagues tested the effects of spirulina on patients with a combination of high cholesterol (above 250 mg/dI) and ischemic heart disease. They concluded that spirulina played a key role in lowering blood cholesterol levels and improving lipid profiles.
Read more: “Reducing Bad Cholesterol with BAC”
Cardio-protective agent dissolves deposits
Spirulina’s cell wall is unique too. It is made up of mucopolysaccharides that provide numerous health benefits. Many heart ailments may be caused by a build-up of low-density lipids (bad cholesterol). Gamma Linoleic Acid, as found in BAC, has been shown in many studies to be a good cardio-protective agent; it dissolves these deposits. Of special interest is the ability of these mucopolysaccharides to lower blood fats. This was also brought to light in a 1976 study that showed that spirulina controlled the tendency and ability of cholesterol and other lipoproteins to bond with arterial receptors and attach to artery walls.
Lowers blood pressure
In other studies, spirulina was able to cause a significant change in vascular tone by increasing the synthesis and release of nitric oxide and by decreasing the synthesis and release of a vasoconstrictive substance from the endothelial cells.
GLA dissolves arterial deposits
“GLA, an essential fatty acid, is key to the body’s ability to make vital prostaglandins, substances that control body functions and help alleviate health problems such as arthritis and heart disease, according to one preliminary report.” – Journal of Applied Phycology, 1993, vol. 5
“GLA supplementation results in blood’s becoming more “slippery” since prostaglandins reduce blood platelet adhesion so that cholesterol deposits in arteries have less chance to build up and create arterial blockage.” – Prescription for Nutritional Healing by James Balch, M.D., and Phyllis Balch, C.N.C.
BAC may prevent heart damage caused by chemotherapy
In animal research, Khan (2005) demonstrated that spirulina helps prevent heart damage caused by chemotherapy using Doxorubicin, without interfering with its anti-tumor activity. He also claimed that spirulina reduces the severity of strokes and improves recovery of movement after a stroke.
When put together, several ingredients in BAC are a mighty force against cardiovascular health problems. Beta-carotene, GLA, iron, and mucopolysaccharides are credited with:
- improving elasticity of heart tissues
- lowering of blood pressure
- increasing protection of the vascular system
- preventing and reducing “bad” cholesterol
- preventing atherosclerosis
- strengthening body tissues, especially connective tissues
- making body tissues more elastic and resilient
- possessing strong anti-inflammatory effects
- reinforcing the tissues of the heart
- guarding against arterial deterioration
- protecting the vascular system by lowering blood fat
References
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