Can Spirulina Be A Healthy Part Of A Raw Diet?

by Danai
(Amherstburg, Ont, Canada)

Danai's Question:

Hi.

I just read a long article on spirulina which indicated that it was a great superfood, and your answer to all of life's problems.

So I was wondering what do you think of taking this food daily or at intervals?

Can it be a healthy part of raw food diet.

Thanks.

Andrew's Answer:

Hi Danai.

It's true that spirulina is packed with a lot of nutrients and all essential amino acids, which is why it's often recommended for vegans and raw foodists, who are wrongly viewed as being in danger of failing to meet nutrient requirements, or even of developing a protein deficiency.

However, if we judge a food solely based on its nutrient content, we're going to make some big mistakes.

Some of the highest-nutrient plants on this planet are poisonous or inedible to a greater or lesser degree, and they will sicken us if we try to eat them.

Spirulina

Hemlock is packed with nutrients, for instance, yet it is such a potent toxin that it was used as a poison in antiquity, and Socrates was famously sentenced to death by consumption of a hemlock-based drink.

Now this is an extreme example, and most foods that are not ideal for us are unlikely to elicit anywhere near this strong of a reaction, particularly in a person who does not already eat an ideal diet and possess a high level of vitality.

Cause For Concern #1

When it comes to Spirulina, the largest objection I see is its high content of lead and cadmium, heavy metals which are not healthy for a person to ingest.

I've written more about this and other problems inherent in seaweed in this article reviewing seaweeds as a food choice.

Of course, some spirulina would not contain high levels of heavy metals, but it's hard to determine if the seaweed you just bought is among them.

Cause For Concern #2

The simplest reason why I don't eat spirulina and other seaweeds is that they fail Andrew's Litmus Test, which is another way of saying that when a human body is already vital and eating a healthy diet, it will react with "cold symptoms," to the consumption of the food.

Following Up:

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