1st Edition

Spirulina in Human Nutrition and Health

Edited By M. E. Gershwin, Amha Belay Copyright 2007
    326 Pages 47 Color & 40 B/W Illustrations
    by CRC Press

    Astonishingly rich in nutrients, Spirulina is one of the most popular and well researched functional foods in the multi-billion dollar global food supplement market. This ancient species provides readily bioavailable protein along with carotenoids, essential fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals and has therapeutic applications in non-communicable disease such as diabetes milletus, hyperlipidemia, oxidative stress-induced diseases, inflammations, allergies, and even cancer. Growing scientific and market interests demand a high-quality, comprehensive, peer-reviewed volume on all aspects of this tiny aquatic plant.

    Drawing from the editors' expertise in nutrition and immunology as well as a prestigious panel of premier international researchers, Spirulina in Human Nutrition and Health provides the first complete compilation of the wealth of experimental data in a single accessible resource. Beginning with an introduction to the history and features of the plant itself, the book goes into great detail regarding its cultivation, handling, storage, and packaging, as well as applicable regulatory acts and organizations. It supplies explanations and reviews of studies involving Spirulina's use as a therapeutic food product and discusses its anti-oxidant profile and antioxidative and hepatoprotective properties. The book considers peer-reviewed studies on spirulina's effects on immunity, NK activation, and antibody production and highlights its role as an antibacterial and antiviral agent. The final chapters look at neurobiology and spirulina's effect on aging as well as potential interactions with pharmaceuticals or other bioavailable compounds.

    Extensively detailed and heavily referenced, Spirulina in Human Nutrition and Health is the definitive work on this highly nutritious food source.

    Spirulina (Arthrospira): Production and Quality Assurance, A. Belay

    Toxicologic Studies and Antitoxic Properties of Spirulina, G. Chamorro-Cevallos, Dr. B.L. Barrón, and M. en C.J. Vázquez-Sánchez

    Spirulina and its Therapeutic Implications as a Food Product, Dr. U.V. Mani, Dr. U.M. Iyer, Dr. S.A. Dhruv, and Dr. I.U. Mani

    Therapeutic Utility of Spirulina, Dr. U.V. Mani, Dr. U.M. Iyer, Dr. S.A. Dhruv, Dr. I.U. Mani, and Dr. K.S. Sharma

    Antioxidant Profile of Spirulina: A Blue Green Microalga, Dr. K. Chopra and M. Bishnoi

    Antioxidative and Hepatoprotective Effects of Spirulina, Dr. L. Wu and Dr. J.A. Ho

    Drug-Induced Nephrotoxicity Protection by Spirulina, Dr. V.K Kutala, Dr. I.K. Mohan, Dr. M. Khan, M. Pharma, Dr. P.L. Narasimham, and Dr. P. Kuppusamy

    Spirulina and Immunity, A.T. Borchers, A. Belay, C.L. Keen, and M.E. Gershwin

    NK Activation Induced by Spirulina, T. Seya, T. Ebihara, K. Kodama, K.Hazeki, and M. Matsumoto

    Spirulina and Antibody Production, Dr. O. Hayashi, K. Ishii, and T. Kato

    Spirulina as an Antiviral Agent, Dr. B.L. Barrón, Dr. J.M. Torres-Valencia, Dr. G. Chamorro-Cevallos, and Dr. A. Zúñiga-Estrada

    Spirulina and Anti-Bacterial Activity, G. Ozdemir and M. Conk Dalay

    Spirulina, Aging and Neurobiology, J. Vila, C. Gemma, J.A. Haley, A. Bachstetter, Y. Wang, I. Strömberg, and P.C. Bickford

    Spirulina Interactions, A.T. Borchers, C.L. Keen, and M.E. Gershwin

    Biography

    M. E. Gershwin, Amha Belay

    "Impeccably researched and written with a true eye for detail, this text will no doubt be regarded as the ‘voice in the field’ and the ultimate go-to reference for researcher, librarian, and instructor alike."

    --The Electric Review