Ingredients: 100% Spirulina* (arthrospira platensis). *Certified organic ingredient. Third party tested for purity.
Serving Size: 10-20 g (approx 1-2 tbsp) daily, per 1,000 lb horse.
What is Spirulina?
Spirulina is widely known to be a type of blue-green algae, however, more specifically it's a cyanobacteria with a blue-green hue. It can be harvested in the wild in fresh-water lakes, ponds and rivers or grown in controlled environments on spirulina micro-farms. Spirulina has a perfect spiral shape under a microscope, it's multi-celled with no true nucleus, and is said to have been around for 3.6 billion years.
A Complete Food Source
Cultivated worldwide as a complete food source, this superfood is rich in protein, vitamins, minerals, carotenoids & antioxidants which can help restore and protect cellular integrity. Advocates of spirulina have claimed that it's so nutritionally complete, one could live on it alone and be completely healthy!
Packed with nutrition, spirulina is beneficial for nearly any horse, but it’s particularly great for athletes, seniors, horses on a dry lot, horses with heaves, coughing & respiratory troubles, horses under immune stress, show horses, those exercising at high intensity & frequency, horses recovering from illness, horses with a need for supplemental amino acids & horses with prevalent environmental and dietary allergies.
Excellent GLA source
Spirulina is an excellent source of the only anti-inflammatory form of omega-6 fatty acids, GLA (gamma-linolenic acid). According to a study published in The Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, GLA constitutes up to 40% of the total fatty acids in spirulina. It is one of the richest sources of GLA available which makes it very helpful for inflammatory conditions.
Anti-Cancer Properties
According to the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, “A number of animal and test tube studies suggest that spirulina increases production of antibodies, infection-fighting proteins, and other cells that improve immunity and help ward off infection and chronic illnesses such as cancer.” Additionally, more than 70 peer-reviewed articles have been published in the scientific literature evaluating spirulina’s ability to affect cancer cells.
Spirulina contains high levels of chlorophyll, which shows pharmacological evidence of cancer prevention. If cancer cells are stopped before they can form colonies, the body’s naturally occurring cancer cells won’t be able to run amok and develop into symptomatic cancer.
Benefit Highlights
- Strengthens immune system
- Chlorophyll-rich
- Helps alkalize
- Helps prevent cancer
- Helps replenish nutrient deficiencies
- Detoxifies heavy metals & toxins
- Protects the liver
- Supports healthy eyesight
- Antioxidant-rich
- Helps balance blood sugar levels
- Complete protein source
- Contains all essential amino acids
- Boosts energy levels
- Supports a normal inflammatory response
- Rich in Omega-3 fatty acids
- Supports healthy coat & skin
- Blood builder
- Helpful for iron-deficient anemia due to its rich copper and iron content
- Can stimulate appetite
- Natural antihistamine
- Provides allergy relief, including hives & sweet itch
- Supports respiratory function
- Helps with heaves & COPD
- Can minimize anxiety, improving attitude and training ability
Naturally Occurring Nutrients
Protein: 55-70%
Vitamins: Vitamin A, C, D, E, K, B1 (thiamine), B2 (riboflavin), B3 (niacin), B6 (pyridoxine), B12 (cobalamin), Folate, Biotin, Pantothenic Acid, Beta Carotene (source of vitamin A) & Inositol.
Minerals: calcium, manganese, iron, chromium, phosphorus, molybdenum, chloride, magnesium, sodium, zinc, potassium, selenium, germanium, copper & boron.
Amino Acids: isoleucine, phenylalanine, leucine, threonine, lysine, tryptophan, methionine, valine, alanine, glycine, arginine, histidine, aspartic acid, proline, cystine, serine, glutamic acid & tyrosine.
For horses with EMS (Equine Metabolic Syndrome) and IR (Insulin Resistance), you may choose to offer Spirulina in conjunction with our Hay Harmony {Cu:Zn,B7} blend, as Spirulina naturally contains iron (approx 2.9 mg per tbsp). Studies have shown that Spirulina can help reverse metabolic disease, however, it is important to monitor iron, copper & zinc ratios to avoid iron overload. Magnesium can also help with metabolic disorders.