Spirulina Animal Immune Support
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*Health related statements made throughout this website have not been evaluated by the FDA.
Products offered are not intended to diagnose, cure, treat or prevent any specific disease.
Spirulina for Dogs and Cats:
Spirulina microalgae is a popular "green" health food. Usually sold as a
fine powder or tablets it is becoming increasingly popular as part of a healthy
diet for our family pets and commercial live stock. Spirulina is what is known
as a functional food. That means wile it is a food we can get nutrition and
calories to feed our bodies, it also has special functions that work to enhance
health.
A number of studies on a wide variety of animals and humans show that
Spirulina strengthens the immune system. In dogs and cats have been shown to
have improved immune system which also translate into better quality skin and
coat. Animals with fleas and subsequent itching skin are helped significantly
with Spirulina supplements. Spirulina helps the immune system to bring allergic
skin reaction caused by ticks and fleas under control.
Spirulina is very concentrated. Dogs the size of a Golden Retriever may
need only one teaspoon or two per day with food. Most dogs consider it a yummy
treat. Dog food companies view Spirulina as a flavor enhancer. Cats respond
well to 1/8 teaspoon or 1/3 a tab each day. Allied Waves carry only high
quality pure Spirulina.
Spirulina for Birds and Reptiles:
Spirulina is a popular supplement for exotic birds because it brightens
colorful plumage and can improve fertility. Many scientific studies show that
it is a good for birds, acting especially to improve immune system function. It
is a safe functional food, rich in betacarotene and other natural pigments.
Spirulina is best when fed in very small amounts (1% of the daily diet).
Spirulina powder may be sprinkled over soft-food, mixed into hand feeding
formulas or baked into cornbread. Spirulina is excellent for breeding birds and
hatchlings. It is commonly feed to parrots, cockatiels, budgies, finches,
pheasants, ostrich, emu and many other species.
The following was taken from an article
written by Ron Henson former vice president of Earthrise Company and published in the
December 1995 issue of Bird Breeder:
Scientists recently announced that the food Spirulina dramatically
strengthens the avian immune system. This is of great interest to veterinarians
and breeders of exotic birds. It explains why parrots suffering from
opportunistic infections recover quickly when fed Spirulina. In scientific
studies, Spirulina protected birds from infection with the antibiotic-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus and E. coli.
"Immunomodulatory Effects of Spirulina Supplementation in Chickens," by
M.A. Qureshi, shows that small daily doses, just 1 percent of the diet, greatly
improve the immune system. Using chickens as models, American scientists
confirmed findings of their Russian, Chinese and Japanese counterparts. These
scientists tested the theory that Spirulina plantensis act as a safe, edible,
broad-spectrum vaccine against bacteria. It also protects against other
disease-causing microbes and cancers.Many scientists are now studying the
medical benefits of eating Spirulina. It is a natural green food, a safe
alternative to antibiotics.
What Is It?
The microscopic is an edible blue-green microalgae sold as a dry
powder. It deepens feather color and shine, stimulates breeding and enhances
fertility. Spirulina is a traditional food of Mexican and African peoples.
Spirulina has 62% amino acid content. It is the world's richest source of
vitamin B12 and antioxidant beta-carotene (20 times that of carrots). Wild
Spirulina sustains huge flocks of wild flamingos in super-alkaline East African
Lakes.
Edible Spirulina grown in controlled environments is much different
from wild algae found in lakes. The Spirulina is grown by scientists and highly
trained technicians at a special aquatic farm. It is harvested and packed in a
licensed, government-inspected, sanitary food processing plant. Each batch gets
thorough testing for purity before release for sale. Always obtain Spirulina
and other foods from a reliable source.
Medical Benefits
Several reports appearing in scientific literature document the medical
benefits of Spirulina. They all show that Spirulina improves the immune system.
Why is this important for breeding birds?
Baby birds are protected from otherwise deadly germs with antibodies
from the egg yoke. The egg yoke antibodies soon wear out as the baby contacts
germs in the outside world. This leaves a young chick vulnerable to infection
unless it is able to quickly build its own antibodies. Antibodies are created
by a complex network of interactive white blood cells known as macrophages,
T-cells and B-cells. Spirulina accelerates the building of this cellular immune
system, allowing it to increase antibody production and protect against
invading germs.
In 1989, Professor Ernest Ross of the University of Hawaii and Warren
Dominy of the Oceanic Institute also studied Spirulina-fed birds. They reported
that small amounts of Spirulina cause fertility in quail to go up to very high
levels (96.1), much higher than quail on the standard breeder diet.
How does Spirulina build the immune system? It is very nutritious,
containing all the essential amino acids. It is also rich in anti-inflammatory
GLA fatty acids, antioxidants and other phytochemicals. However, two unique
natural substances supercharge the immune system.
The first is the brilliant-blue protein phycocyanin, found only in
blue-green algae. Phycocyanin acts like erythropoetin, (EPO). EPO is the
hormone that regulates the bone marrow cells that produce white blood cells.
Phycocyanin stimulates the immature or damaged immune system to grow or to
repair itself when injured by infection, toxic chemicals or radiation.
Many breeders of exotic birds report that fertility and hatchability
improve when Spirulina is used. Birds have less sickness or recover more
quickly, often with what seems to be "miracle cures". Others report fewer
problems with feather plucking and better recovery from self-mutilation.
Feather quality and coloration reach their peak. Veterinarians observe that
infections quickly respond to treatment, and wound healing improves. Spirulina
supercharges the avian immune system for better disease resistance and increase
fertility
