{"id":6448,"date":"2023-02-01T08:54:40","date_gmt":"2023-02-01T08:54:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.echlorial.fr\/blog\/phycocyanin-benefits-spirulina\/"},"modified":"2023-10-15T17:37:25","modified_gmt":"2023-10-15T17:37:25","slug":"phycocyanin-benefits-spirulina","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.echlorial.com\/blog\/phycocyanin-benefits-spirulina\/","title":{"rendered":"Phycocyanin : Spirulina Secret Weapon"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Phycocyanin : what is it ?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Phycocyanin<\/strong>, like astaxanthin<\/strong><\/a> is a powerful antioxidant naturally present in the cyanobacteria spirulina<\/a><\/strong> It is the blue pigment that gives it its color (the “cyan” of cyanobacteria).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

– More precisely, C-phycocyanin (C-PC) is a phycobiliprotein which constitutes the major pigment of Spirulina Arthrospira.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

– It is highly valued by consumers of Spirulina, including people who practice sports regularly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

– The rate of phycocyanine is variable depending on the production of organic spirulina<\/strong> <\/a>and will depend on the strain<\/strong>, sunshine<\/strong>, temperature <\/strong>and nutrients<\/strong> used for the development of spirulina.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Benefits of phycocyanin<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Phycocyanin is a powerful antioxidant, so its benefits are related to the recognized powers of antioxidants. Antioxidants fight against cell aging and oxidative stress. The benefits of phycocyanin are the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

– Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Phycocyanin is an antioxidant that binds to metals and scavenges certain health damaging radicals, making it an anti-inflammatory agent. [1][2][3][4]<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

– Benefits on the liver<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Phycocyanin is believed to protect the liver from certain toxins by scavenging metabolites and free radicals. [1][5]<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

– Neuroprotective properties<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Too much oxygen in the brain can generate reactive oxygen species (ROS). These ROS damage neurons and can lead to strokes. Phycocyanin eliminates certain types of reactive oxygen species (ROS), thereby reducing oxidative stress [6]<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

– It has anti-tumor properties<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Cancer occurs when cells grow uncontrollably. It has been found that the molecule C-PC (C-phycocyanine) would prevent the growth of cancer cells. C-PC stops tumor formation before the “S” phase and slows down tumor proliferation. <\/strong>C-PC is a promising anti-cancer agent that has gained interest in pharmacological research in recent years. Scientists from Qingdao University propose a summary in a publication in the Journal of Cancer (2017) (Liangquian Jiang et al.) [7]<\/strong><\/strong>, [8<\/strong>]<\/p>\n\n\n\n

– Tissue regeneration<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In a pre-clinical study conducted by Cuban researchers, it appears that myelin sheath regeneration is stimulated by phycocyanin consumption. [9]<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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What is the best phycocyanin?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The best phycocyanin<\/strong> will depend, as always, on the brand name and producer. Make sure to choose a brand that indicates the origin of the production<\/strong> (France, Europe or other). The concentration will be an important factor on the quality of the phycocyanin you buy: in general, the higher the concentration, the more effective the product will be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is difficult to qualify the different phycocyanins between them, in general we talk about spirulina and their different phycocyanin levels! In this case, you have to pay attention to the phycocyanin rate measured on dry matter (important!). Many sellers of spirulina “cheat” and announce phycocyanin levels analyzed on fresh spirulina and not on the final product sold to the consumer. An artisanal spirulina dried slowly in the sun will have a greater chance to have a higher phycocyanin content than an industrially produced and dried spirulina.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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How to use phycocyanin? What are its applications?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Pigments extracted from blue-green algae or cyanobacteria are used as :<\/p>\n\n\n\n