Seaweed, Spirulina

About This Food

Spirulina refers to a large number of cyanobacteria, or blue-green algae.

It contains unusually high amounts of protein, between 55 and 77% by dry weight, depending upon the source. It is also complete protein - meaning it contains all 9 essential amino acids.

In addition to proteins, spirulina is rich in vitamins, (providing more beta-carotene tha carrots), minerals, polysaccharides and fatty acids including 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).

Spirulina has been proposed by both NASA (CELSS) and the European Space Agency (MELISSA) as one of the primary foods to be cultivated during long-term space missions.

Special diets
  • Autoimmune Paleo Diet
  • Candida Diet
  • Diabetic
  • Elimination Diet
  • Gluten-Free Diet
  • Gluten-Free/Dairy-Free Diet
  • Grain-Free Diet
  • Low Carb Diet
  • Low FODMAP Diet
  • Low Histamine Diet
  • Low Oxalate Diet
  • Paleo Diet (Light)
  • Paleo Diet (Strict)
  • PCOS Diet
  • Pescetarian Diet
  • Primal Diet
  • Thyroid Diet
  • Vegetarian Diet
  • Whole Food
Benefits
Excellent Source of
  • Copper
Good Source of
  • Iron
  • Thiamin
  • Riboflavin
Preferences
  • No Fish
  • No Red Meat
  • No Pork
  • No Eggs
  • No Shellfish
  • No Gluten
  • No Nuts
  • No Seeds
  • No Soy
  • No Dairy
  • No Poultry
  • No Molds
  • No Pseudograins
  • No Coconut
  • No Corn
  • No Yeast
  • No Peanuts
  • No Citrus
  • No Nightshade
  • No Legumes
  • No Grains
  • Low Carbohydrate
  • Low Cholesterol
  • Low Fat
  • Low Sodium
  • Low Sugars
  • Low Saturated Fat
Nutrition Information

Serving size: 1 tbsp(s)seaweed

Calories: 20

Omega-6 / Omega-3 ratio: 2 : 1

Macronutrients
Amount
Total Fat
0.54 g
Saturated Fat
0.19 g
Monounsaturated Fat
0.05 g
Polyunsaturated Fat
0.15 g
Trans Fat
0 g
Essential Fatty Acids (Omega-3)
58 g
ALA
58 mg
EPA, DHA
0 mg, 0 mg
EPA
0 mg,
DHA
0 mg,
Conjugated Linoleic Acid(CLA)
0 mg
Cholesterol
0 mg
Total Carbohydrate
1.67 g
Net Carbohydrate
1.42 g
Sugars
0.22 g
Fiber
0.25 g
Protein
4.02 g
Sugar Alcohols
0 g
Macronutrients
Amount
% Daily Value*
Vitamin A
39.9 IU
1%
Vitamin C
0.71 mg
1%
Vitamin D
0 IU
0%
Vitamin E
0.35 IU
1%
Vitamin B6
0.03 mg
2%
Vitamin B12
0 mcg
0%
Vitamin K
1.79 mg
2%
Folate
6.58 mcg
2%
Niacin
0.9 mg
4%
Riboflavin
0.26 mg
15%
Thiamin
0.17 mg
11%
Choline
4.62 mg
1%
Minerals
Calcium
8.4 mg
1%
Copper
0.43 mg
22%
Iron
2 mg
11%
Magnesium
13.65 mg
3%
Manganese
0.13 mg
6%
Phosphorous
8.26 mg
1%
Potassium
95.41 mg
3%
Selenium
0.5 mcg
1%
Sodium
73.36 mg
3%
Zinc
0.14 mg
1%
Phytonutrients
Alpha-carotene
0 mcg
Beta-carotene
23.94 mcg
Beta-cryptoxanthin
0 mcg
Lutein + zeaxanthin
0 mcg
Lycopene
0 mcg
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