Fascinating Microalgae – Uniquely Spirulina and Viral Infection – Part 2
THE IMMUNE SYSTEM MIRACLE WORK
Spirulina is gaining more attention from medical scientists as a nutraceutical and source of potential pharmaceuticals.
“There are several new peer-reviewed scientific studies about Spirulina’s ability to inhibit viral replication, strengthen both the cellular and humoral arms of the immune system.
While these studies are preliminary and more research is needed, the results so far are exciting.
In April 1996, scientists from the Laboratory of Viral Pathogenesis, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and Harvard Medical School and Earthrise Farms, Calipatria, California, announced on-going research, saying, “Water extract of Spirulina platensis inhibits HIV-1 replication in human-derived T-cell lines and in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells in human and monkey cell cultures. “
A concentration of 5-10 mg/ml was found to reduce viral production.
HIV-1 is the AIDS virus. Small amounts of Spirulina extract reduced viral replication while higher concentrations totally stopped its reproduction.
Importantly, with a therapeutic index of >100, Spirulina extract was non-toxic to human cells at concentrations stopping viral replication.
Another group of medical scientists has published new studies regarding a purified water extract unique to Spirulina named Calcium-Spirulan.
Calcium-Spirulina is a polymerized sugar molecule unique to Spirulina, containing both sulfur and calcium.
Hamsters treated with this water-soluble extract had better recovery rates when infected with an otherwise lethal herpes virus. How does it work?
When attacking a cell, a virus first attaches itself to the cell membrane.
“However, because of Spirulina extract, the virus cannot 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”.
Since the Covid pandemic, with similar inhibiting mechanisms of action as found with other viruses, Spirulina extracts are being studied as part of potential therapeutics that may offer cost-effective, significant, and safe benefits, not only for prevention, but possibly with an active infection as cited in the following research article abstract by Sachitra K. Ratha, Ph.D., Nirmal Renuka, Ph.D., Ismail Rawat, M.Tech., and Faizal Bux, Ph.D. Nutrition.
“Prospective options of algae-derived nutraceuticals as supplements to combat COVID-19 and human coronavirus diseases”
“…..The ability of algae-based nutraceuticals, mainly Spirulina, to boost immunity against viral diseases has already been reported clinically. Spirulina-based nutraceuticals boost adaptive and innate immunity, and bioactive compounds, such as angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor peptides, phycobiliproteins, sulfated polysaccharides, and calcium-Spirulan, can serve as antiviral agents. The presence of these molecules indicates its potential role in resisting infection and COVID-19 disease progression.”
With the world rightfully in a state of hyper concern, but also toxic hyper politicization and panic about this horrific pandemic, the strengths, limitations, and currently the likely over-reliance of our present, only temporary, multiple dosed, artificially induced antibody vaccines to address this pandemic or suggested future pandemics as singularly the most effective life and health saving modality, crucially needs in addition, an intelligent, proactive holistic approach that can work around, yet synergistically support and strengthen the immune system and overall health. The promising contribution to prevention, protection, and treatment cannot be underestimated by a host of increasingly well-researched and safe nutraceuticals, including with significance, the potential role and rapidly advancing technological developments of remarkable algal nutraceuticals and their extracts.