Richard D reading this column at st louis post dispatch (United States) wrote:
“Spirulina – I recently started adding half a teaspoon to my breakfast. What are your thoughts on that?
“Green tea – I started drinking it because it seemed to work. How can an individual know if it helps?
“I have osteopenia, so my endocrinologist tells me to eat more protein and eat less leafy greens.
“Have you ever written an article about the nutritional value of beans?
“You write so clearly that the topics are easy to understand. I wouldn’t be surprised if your minor was English or Literature.”
Richard, it sounds like you are taking care of yourself. Let’s refrain from asking questions.
Spirulina is a type of blue-green algae that lives in water and produces energy from the sun.
Recent reviews of journals molecule Give Spirulina a nutritional thumbs up.
Rich in protein and other essential nutrients, including vitamin B12, which is often deficient in plant-based diets.
Spirulina also contains many compounds that help the body fight inflammation and boost the immune system.
Extracts of its blue-green pigment are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a natural color additive in various foods and confectionery.
NASA uses spirulina as a dietary supplement for astronauts.
However, some caveats remain.
People with autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis and immunosuppressants should avoid spirulina supplements due to its immunostimulating effects.
Also, some unregulated products may contain unwanted contaminants and should be avoided by pregnant and lactating women as well as young children.
How do you know if green tea is beneficial?
It’s like how we know seat belts save lives.
Studies show that green tea (and other types of tea camellia sinensis plants) can help lower blood pressure and cholesterol, and may even protect against cancer and other chronic diseases.
By the way, green tea, black tea and oolong tea are made from the same plant. They are just handled differently.
Yes, I wrote a recent column on the value of beans.
If your paper is not listed, you can access it here.
Thank you for your compliment. My underage was cowboys, not English literature.
Before I changed my major to Food and Nutrition in my sophomore year (second year of college), I had aspirations of becoming a sophomore teacher.
Perhaps that stint in teaching helped. – Barbara Intermill/Tribune News Service
Barbara Intermill is a registered dietitian nutritionist in the United States.
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