Spirulina turns the lakes and ponds where it grows into a dark blue-green.

It is not advisable to harvest your own spirulina as coastal and aquatic colonies of the algae can be contaminated by industrial waste or sewage.

Cultivation of organic spirulina requires locations away from industrial pollution where there is no ground water contamination.

There should also be no other agricultural activities in the area (where contamination with pesticides, herbicides and fertilisers does not exist).

Conducive temperatures of 26 degrees C to 39 degrees C are essential to ensure high content of pigment nutrients.

Spirulina has been used medicinally in China for thousands of years.

Organic spirulina has the highest protein content of natural foods. It is also an excellent source of iron, calcium, magnesium, and the B vitamins.

Organic spirulina also contains high levels of chlorophyll, carotenoids and phycocyanin and has virtually no cholesterol. These phyto-nutrients act as natural antioxidants to neutralise free radicals. They may also act as precursors in certain metabolisms.

Those who may benefit from daily supplementation of organic spirulina include:

Children who are fussy eaters

Many parents face problems in persuading their children to eat fruits and vegetables.

Children who do not eat enough fruits and vegetables may suffer from nutrient deficiencies.

A study in India showed that organic spirulina can improve the well-being and growth of malnourished children.

Students who live away from home, and working people

Such people may lack nutrients as they often skip meals due to their busy schedules and opt for fast foods that are high in calories but low in important nutrients.

Organic spirulina, which has a good nutrient profile, may help replenish and prevent malnutrition.

The elderly

The elderly may not be able to obtain essential nutrients from the diet due to poor digestive health, diseases and medication that affect the digestion, absorption and utilisation of nutrients.

Spirulina has no cellulose in its cell walls and thus can be easily digested, absorbed and used by the body. It is also good for enhancing the immune system.

Weight-watchers

Spirulina is low in fat and calories, making it suitable for weight watchers.

Many people use spirulina as part of their detox programme as the pigment chlorophyll helps in detoxification.

Also, the bioavailability of iron in organic spirulina is important to dieters who are on low-calorie diets and vegetarians who may be prone to iron deficiency.

Choosing the right spirulina supplement is important as inferior grades may not provide the right outcome.

The contents of the organic spirulina should be certified by regulatory bodies such as Institut for Marktokologie (IMO) in Switzerland and the cultivation facilities should also be HACCP certified (Food Safety Management).

Some organic spirulina distributors have gone a step further to ensure that their product is free from algal toxins such as microcystin and has kosher and halal certification.

* The writer is a pharmacist who is actively involved in the dissemination of information on natural healthcare and holistic therapies. She can be contacted at csyam@streamyx.com