Spirulina

Overview:

Spirulina is a type of blue-green algae that is rich in protein, vitamins, minerals, and caroten

oids (a type of antioxidant that can help protect cells from damage). It contains nutrients, including B complex vitamins, beta-carotene, vitamin E, manganese, zinc, copper, iron, selenium, and gamma linolenic acid (an essential fatty acid).

Spirulina -- like any blue-green algae -- can be contaminated

with toxic substances called microcystins, and can also absorb heavy metals if any are present in the water where it is grown. For these reasons, it is important to buy spirulina from a trusted brand.

Test tube and animal studies suggest spirulina may boost the immune system, help protect against allergic reactions, and have antiviral and anticancer properties. However, there is no proof that spirulina has these, or any, benefits in humans. More research is needed to fully understand how or whether spirulina benefits people.

Immune Support

A number of animal and test tube studies suggest that spirulina increases production of antibodies, cytokines (infection fighting proteins), and other cells that improve immunity and help ward off infection and chronic illnesses such as cancer. However, it has not been tested in humans. In one clinical trial that involved humans, another type of blue-green algae called chlorella did not boost the immune response to flu vaccine.

Protein Supplement

Amino acids make up 62% of spirulina. Because it is a rich

source of protein and other nutrients, spirulina has been used traditionally as a nutritional supplement. However, although spirulina contains a significant amount of protein, you would need to consume very large quantities to see any effect. Other sources of protein, such as nuts, legumes, whole grains, and meat, provide more efficient nutrition.

Allergic Reactions

Animal and test tube studies suggest that spirulina may protect against allergic reactions by stopping the release of histamines (substances that contribute to allergy symptoms, such as a runny nose, watery eyes, hives, and soft-tissue swelling). But whether these preliminary studies will have any benefit for people with allergies is not known.

Antibiotic-related Illnesses

Although antibiotics destroy unwanted organisms in the body, they may also kill "good" bacteria called probiotics (such as Lactobacillus acidophilus), sometimes causing diarrhea. In test tubes, spirulina has enhanced the growth of L. acidophilus and other probiotics. More research is needed to determine whether spirulina will have the same effect in people.

Infection

Test tube studies suggest that spirulina has activity against herpes, influenza, and HIV. But whether this laboratory finding will translate into any benefit for people is not known.

Oral Cancer

In one placebo-controlled study, taking spirulina seemed to reduce a precancerous lesion known as leukoplasia in people who chewed tobacco. Lesions were significantly more likely to disappear in the spirulina group than in the placebo group. More research in this area is needed.

Liver Disorders

Preliminary evidence suggests that spirulina may help protect against liver damage and cirrhosis (liver failure) in those with chronic hepatitis. Without more research, however, it is impossible to say whether spirulina offers any real benefit.

Dietary Sources:

Spirulina is a microscopic algae that flourishes in warm climates and warm alkaline water. It is available dried and freeze-dried.

Available Forms:

Spirulina is available in pill or powder form, or as flakes. Most of the spirulina consumed in the United States is grown in a laboratory. There are many different spirulina species, only some of which are identified on labels of commercially available products. Spirulina maxima (cultivated in Mexico) and Spirulina platensis (cultivated in California) are the most popular.

How to Take It:

Pediatric

Although spirulina has been used in children, the safe and effective dose for those under 18 has not yet been established. Don't give spirulina to a child without talking to your doctor first.

Adult

Consult a health care provider to determine the right dosage for you. A standard dose is 4 - 6 tablets (500 mg each) per day.

Precautions:

Because of the potential for side effects and interactions with medications, you should take dietary supplements only under the supervision of a knowledgeable health care provider.

Spirulina appears safe, even at high doses. However, it can be contaminated with other substances that can be toxic. It is important to buy a reputable brand of spirulina.

If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, talk to your doctor before taking spirulina.

People with a metabolic condition called phenylketonuria (PKU) should avoid taking spirulina. People with this rare condition cannot metabolize the amino acid phenylalanine. Spirulina is rich in all amino acids, including phenylalanine.

If you have an autoimmune disease, such as multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, or lupus, you should avoid spirulina as it could stimulate your immune system and make your condition worse.

Possible Interactions:

There are no reports in the scientific literature to suggest that spirulina interacts with any conventional medications. However, it is possible that spirulina might interfere with drugs given to suppress the immune system, including:

• Adalimumab (Humira)
• Azathioprine (Imuran)
• Cyclosporine (Neoral)
• Etanercept (Enbrel)
• Infliximab (Remicade)
• Leflunomide (Arava)
• Methotrexate
• Mycophenolate (CellCept)
• Prednisone

Gamat - the Ginseng of the Sea

In Malaysia, sea cucumbers are called gamat, ibu gamat, bat or balat. The name gamatapplies to the Stichopus species of sea cucumber, which is known to contain bio-active substances that destroy micro-organisms, especially fungi. Among the Chinese, it is known as hai shen or "ginseng of the sea"?

Sea cucumbers are eaten as delicacies and are an excellent source of protein. It is prepared in soups and used in medicinal preparations. It is traditionally used by the Chinese to treat high blood pressure, asthma, internal bleeding, muscle weakness, and to enhance vitality and sexual function. In promoting healing after surgery, its effectiveness is considered to be even better than haruan fish (Channa striata).

Coastal inhabitants in Sabah (East Malaysia) bathe in water soaked with sea cucumbers, and eat them to treat epilepsy, to heal wounds, relieve constipation, and remove dead cells from the skin. It is also rubbed on the skin infected by ringworms.

Protein makes up about 44% of the dry weight of a sea cucumber, carbohydrates between 1 and 5%, and fats generally about 1%. Sea cucumbers also possess Saponin. Collagen from the body wall of sea cucumber is rich in protein and certain essential amino acids. Purified sea cucumber extract (air gamat) comes from the internal part of the body, and sea cucumber oil (minyak gamat) is processed from the tissues. They are used as remedies for wounds, lung ailments, parasitic skin infections, backaches, joint/rheumatic pains, heartburn/gastritis, allergies, stomach and mouth ulcers, and for promoting womb healing after delivery.

Sea cucumbers are also rich in minerals that vary among species. They contain antioxidants including vitamin E, essential fatty acids including eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and decosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Vitamin E is an antioxidant, essential for fertility, which slows down the degeneration process of cells and hence delays aging. EPA is crucial for healing wounds and restoring cells. By reducing blood clots in the large and small blood vessels, EPA is anti-thrombotic and lowers the risk of stroke.

Gamat is much more than a delicacy - it is a safe and nutritious form of food, and also has a wide range of medicinal properties.

Gamat Asli

Gamat atau Teripang laut adalah hewan laut yang sudah lama dikenal oleh penduduk sekitar selat malaka sebagai obat tradisional penyembuh luka. Sudah menjadi kebiasaan dari jaman dulu bagi nelayan didaerah itu untuk meminum ektrak gamat sebelum melaut. Walhasil kebiasaan itu membuat mereka kuat dalam melaut.

Di Pulau Langkawi, Kedah, gamat – teripang dalam Bahasa Malaysia – digunakan sebagai obat luka ringan, sakit sendi, radang, asma, paru-paru, tekanan darah tinggi, dan kencing manis. Sebagai sumber protein teripang mempercepat penyembuhan luka dalam setelah pembedahan, bersalin normal, dan caesar.

Regenerasi sel
Teripang cespleng menyembuhkan berbagai penyakit. Kemampuannya dalam regenerasi sel jadi alasan utama teripang dipakai menyembuhkan berbagai penyakit,” kata dr Pieter A. W. Pattinama, RS PGI Cikini, Jakarta. Ia memperbaiki sel yang rusak. Di alam regenerasi sel terjadi saat teripang menghindari musuh, lingkungannya tercemar, dan kenaikan suhu air. Kekenyalan jaringan dinding tubuh menyebabkan pemecahan sel kulit luar dan kloaka.

Saat itu juga saluran pernapasan, pencernaan, dan gonad terburai keluar melalui anus atau dinding tubuh yang terpecah. Dalam waktu 9 – 90 hari, teripang kembali utuh. Regenerasi sel juga karena tubuh teripang menjadi habitat belut laut. Anggota keluarga Carapidae seukuran kelingking itu tinggal di perut teripang dan menyantap bahan organik di dalam tubuh. Itu tak membahayakan teripang, sebab ia mampu menumbuhkan kembali sel yang hilang dalam waktu singkat.

Selain mampu meregenerasi sel, teripang kaya akan nutrisi. “Senyawa aktif terbanyak berupa antioksidan, baik untuk perbaikan sel tubuh manusia,” ujar dokter alumnus Universitas Indonesia itu.

Menurut Prof Dr Ridzwan Hashim dari Universitas Kebangsaan Malaysia teripang mengandung 86% protein. Proteinnya mudah diuraikan oleh enzim pepsin. Dari jumlah itu sekitar 80% berupa kolagen. Itu sebagai pengikat jaringan dalam pertumbuhan tulang dan kulit. Dalam pertumbuhan tulang, suplemen kalsium saja tidak cukup, lantaran tulang terdiri dari kalsium fosfat dan kolagen sebagai pengisi. Tanpa kolagen tulang menjadi rapuh dan mudah pecah bak kaca. Sebaliknya bila tanpa kalsium, tulang akan kenyal seperti karet.
Kandungan lain adalah mucopolusacharida (MPS) populer sebagai glycosaminoglycans (GAGs). Dalam bentuk kondritin sulfat memulihkan penyakit-penyakit sendi dan membangun kembali tulang rawan. GAGs sintesis dijual di maskapai penerbangan Singapore Airlines. Zat itu menghilangkan linu sendi akibat duduk terlalu lama. Cara kerjanya dengan merangsang tubuh mensekresikan cairan synovial untuk lubrikasi persendian.

“MPS bersama GAGs memberikan efek lendir pada dinding sel,” kata Dr Muhilal, ahli gizi dari Pusat Penelitian dan Pengembangan Gizi, Bogor. Artinya teripang berfungsi sebagai antithrombogenik untuk mencegah penggumpalan melalui pengenceran darah.

Omega 3
Khasiat teripang juga didukung oleh kandungan EPA dan DHA – keduanya termasuk asam lemak omega 3. Faedahnya menghambat proses penuaan, menurunkan kolesterol jahat LDL dan VLDL dalam tubuh sehingga mengurangi risiko penyakit jantung. Teripang tidak mengandung kolesterol, baik untuk orang yang punya penyakit jantung,” kata Sinru Sani Yang, ahli pengobatan cina di Kelapagading, Jakarta Utara. Menurut Muhilal, EPA dan DHA yang berantai panjang dan berikatan rangkap memulihkan jaringan yang rusak serta meningkatkan kinerja otak dan mata.
Meningkatnya kinerja indra penglihatan karena fungsi mineral seng dalam mengurai karoten menjadi vitamin A. Ada 200 macam enzim membutuhkan seng agar berfungsi,” ujar doktor Biokimia Gizi alumnus University of Liverpool. Seng juga dibutuhkan prostat. Jika jumlah seng pada prostat tidak memadai, terjadi pembengkakan atau hipertrofi . Prof Mohamad Yusuf dari klinik Citra Insani, Sukabumi, yakin gamat memperkuat kerja ginjal untuk menyaring zat-zat yang masuk ke organ itu. Fungsi itu optimal jika diolah, bersih dari pasir dan bau asin laut. Jika tidak, memacu kerusakan ginjal.

Mineral lainnya adalah kromium membantu kinerja insulin. Caranya melalui penyerapan glukosa berlebih dalam darah dan menyedot glukosa masuk jaringan darah lebih cepat. Ini menyebabkan konsumsi teripang mencegah serta memulihkan penyakit diabetes mellitus.

Anti HIV

Penelitian terbaru Institut Kimia Universitas Los Banos, Filipina, mengungkap teripang dapat menjadi agen antitumor dan sebagai obat Human Immunodefi siensy Virus (HIV). Yang paling berpengaruh adalah gula bernama lektin. Senyawa lektin bersifat mitogenik atau sel berkembang biak cepat dan antimikroba. Selain itu, lektin efektif melawan kankerotot pada tikus serta kanker paru-paru manusia dengan dosis masing-masing 5 dan 50 mikrogram. Lektin berefek terapi bagi HIV karena mampu menggumpalkan sel jahat. Itu terlihat ketika diuji dalam laboratorium dengan menggunakan sel limfoid.

Teripang membersihkan pasir laut dari serpihan endapan benda-benda atau lumpur organik di dasar laut. Ia mengisap, melumatnya, dan yang tersisa adalah pasir bersih. Senjatanya berupa gas holotrin yang beracun bagi ikan, tetapi hanya berakibat iritasi mata dan kulit pada manusia. Karena ampuh membunuh ikan, racun gamat kini dikembangkan sebagai obat antiseptik alami untuk melawan kanker dan infeksi.

Saat ini sudah beredar produk ekstrak teripang. Stichopus hermanii yang lebih dikenal dengan teripang emas diolah menjadi produk suplemen berupa jeli maupun kapsul, sampo, krim dan gel, pasta gigi, krim badan, serta minyak urut. Dengan segenap keistimewaan itu harapan kesembuhan disandarkan pada mentimun laut. (Vina Fitriani)

Gamat The Traditional Healer From The Sea

One of the local products worth looking is the healing ointment called gamat.

Gamat potion is made from golden sea cucumber juice.

It is a Malay traditional medicine and has been used to cure various ailments for over 300 years.

Gamat is also believed to give skin a soft and smooth texture.

Malays boil and drink air gamat (gamat water) to treat cuts, sores and inflammation, peptic ulcers or to revitalise the body. Mothers who had recently given birth also take gamat for quick healing.

Air gamat is also used as a vitality tonic when mixed with other traditional herbs like tongkat ali - the famous rainforest root.

How The Healing Power of Gamat Was Discovered

A very long time ago - a fisherman stepped on one of these sea cucumbers (gamat) and had his legs glued with the sticky white secretion from these slimy sea creatures.

Feeling angry, he took an axe and hacked up all the sea cucumbers around him.

The next morning, he found that all the hacked-up sea cucumbers are all healed and whole again.

Gamat (Sea Cucumber)

If the sea cucumbers could heal themselves, then it should also be able to heal people’s wounds.

From then, the islanders became using gamat to cure various ailments and thus, the gamat industry began.

Gamat can be found in distant, isolated islands where the water is cool and clean. They thrive from 0.6m to 3m under the sea.

These spectacular sea creatures are active during the night and are very sensitive to sunlight.

When they are exposed to the sun - they will 'melt' and die.

Prof Hassan Yaacob, a local gamat researcher and entrepreneur has carried aresearch on how gamat can activate cell proliferation at the Research Institute for Traditional Medicine in Toyama, Japan.

Besides its proven efficacy in enhancing the bodys resistance towards various diseases, gamat is also known to contain a cell-growth factor that has the ability to accelerate the regeneration of biological cells, bone, collagen and rejuvenate skin.

Believe It Or Not.

In Japan, gamat has saved a life. A Japanese professor decided to test oral gamat on a 24-year-old girl who was in a coma due to the degeneration of her right lung at the University of Kyoto Hospital.

Investigations showed that the girls lungs had collapsed and she had a slim chance of survival. She was given antibiotics and steroids but did not respond to the treatment.

After giving her gamat through intranasal drip, the girl blinked her eyes in less than 24 hours. After five days, she showed signs of recovery. Three weeks later, she was discharged and new X-rays showed that her lung had rejuvenated.

One is to get the pure fluid and the other is mixed with coconut oil and plant extracts.

In both processes, the sea cucumber is dumped into a huge barrel called rojamwhich is placed over a slow burning fire for three days.

In the first process, no ingredients are added.Thus, you have the pure form of fluid which is called air gamat.

In the second process, the coconut oil and secret plant ingredients are periodically added in throughout the three days. After the third day, you have an oily based substance called minyak gamat.

The amazing thing about the whole cooking process is that you can dip your hand inside the fluid or oil and not be burnt!

The processed sea cucumber or gamat is marketed in bottles.

The pure type or ayer gamat is to be consumed orally. It is used to cure all internal ailments such as peptic ulcer, duodenal ulcer, bleeding piles and stomach aches.

The mixed kind or minyak gamat is for external application. It is used to quicken the healing process of cuts and wounds.

Apa Itu Gamat????

Gamat atau Timun Laut merupakan sejenis haiwan Invertebrata (tanpa tulang belakang) laut yang meraih populariti dewasa ini disebabkan khasiat dan nilai terapeutiknya yang mengkagumkan. Malah, kuasa penyembuhannya telah diagungkan dan dimanfaatkan oleh nenek moyang kita sejak lebih 300 tahun dahulu. Tergolong di dalam Filum Ekinodermata, spesies Timun Laut yang didapati berkesan dari segi nilai perubatannya adalah daripada genus Stichopus atau lebih dikenali sebagai Gamat. Nama lainnya mengikut panggilan setempat termasuklah balat, bat, brunok, trepang atau hoi-sum. Hampir 42 spesies Timun Laut telah dikenalpasti di perairan Malaysia sementara lebih dari 2,000 spesies wujud di serata dunia.

Umumnya haiwan ini berbentuk silinder, leper pada bahagian dorso

-ventral dan mempunyai bukaan di bahagian anterior dan poterior. Pembiakan boleh secara seksual atau aseksual. lanya adalah haiwandetritus iaitu makan secara menyapu pasir ke dalam mulut. Pergerakan haiwan yang lambat menyebabkan ianya perlu mempunyai mekanisme pertahanan tubuh yang efisien iaitu mengeluarkan holothurin yang toksik dan dapat melumpuhkan haiwan kecil. Holothurindikeluarkan oleh kelenjar khusus yang dikenali sebagaikuvier. Sebatian ini telah dicamkan seawal tahun dua puluhan dan hanya diberi penekanan yang intensif pada tahun 1950an. Saponin adalah holothurin yang utama yang dipercayai berkesan dalam penyembuhan luka, rawatan selepas bersalin dan sebagai antifungus.Kajian timun laut tempatan hanya bermula pada awal 1980-an di Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia,Kampus Sabah. Kemudian muncul beberapa kumpulan . penyelidik lain misalnya dari Universiti Malaya, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Universiti Putra Malaysia dan Lembaga Kemajuan Ikan Malaysia. Kumpulan penyelidik dari Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia sehingga kini begitu tekun menjalankan ujikaji untuk mengenalpasti bahan-bahan bioaktif di dalam Gamat untuk mengesahkan keberkesanannya. Kumpulan yarg terdiri lebih daripada 20 orang ahli akademik ini diterajui oleh Prof. Dr. Ridzwan Hashim.

Analisa ke atas tubuh dan cecair selom Gamat mendapati yang ianya tinggi dengan kandungan protein yang melebihi 44%, manakala karbohidrat antara 3-5% dan lemak sebanyak 1.5%. Komponen komponennya termasuklah asid amino esential, kolagen, vitamin E, zat-zat galian seperti kromium, ferum, kadmium, mangan, nikel, kabalt dan zink.Kandungan asid lemak mustahak seperti EPA (asid omega eikosapentaenoik) dan DHA (asid omega dekosaheksaenoik) turut memainkan peranan penting sebagai agen penyembuh luka

dan antithrombotik iaitu berupaya mengurangkan kejadian pembekuan darah di dalam saluran darah. Ini dapat mengurangkan risiko penyakit strok dan sakit jantung. Kedua-dua asid ini dipercayai juga membantu memperlahankan proses degenerasi sel di samping melambatkan proses penuaan. Bahan bioaktif di dalam Gamat turut berkesan sebagai antioksidan yang membantu mengurangkan kerosakan sel dan tisu tubuh. la juga penting, unik dan menjamin kesuburan badan. Kesananti-bakteria dan anti-fungus meningkatkan kemampuannya untuk tujuan rawatan kulit. Gamat juga didapati mempunyai kesan antinosiseptif (penahan sakit) dan antiinflamasi (lawan radang dan surut bengkak). Kajian pemerhatian terhadap penduduk

di Kudat, Semporna, Setiu, Kuantan, Pekan dan Pulau Pangkor menguatkan lagi bukti keberkesanan Gamat sebagai agen antihipertensi (mengurangkan tekanan darah tinggi). Sementara kajian-kajian lain turut menunjukkan kesan positif gamat terhadap sistem kardiovaskular dan kontraktiliti otot jantung. Sejak kebelakangan ini pula, kajian-kajian di luar negara turut menyerlahkan potensi Gamat sebagai antitumor dan memberi kesan positif terhadap penyakit AIDS.Secara tradisional pula, Gamat dipercayai berkesan untuk meningkatkan kesihatan badan, mempercepatkan penyembuhan luka luaran dan dalaman, mengurangkan rasa sakit sendi, badan dan lengoh otot, menghindari masalah alahan dan lelah, melawan radang dan meredakan bengkak, melancarkan pengaliran darah, memulihkan sistem peranakan selepas bersalin, mencantikkan kulit dan awet muda, meningkatkan metabolisme dan membantu masalah keletihan, menghindari sembelit dan masalah buasir, menguatkan tenaga batin, mengurangkan tekanan darah tinggi dan mengawal kencing manis.

Info Gamat

The word Gamat, the Malay word for sea cucumber, refers to medicinal remedies derived from several species of the Holothuroideafamily. The golden sea cucumber (Stichopus horrens) is commonly used. Gamat is usually the dried, powdered bodies of sea cucumbers made into a lotion or other topical salve. It is sometimes mixed into clay and applied as a facial mask, or put in tea and consumed for stomach complaints. Users believe that a solution of sea cucumbers can heal cuts, skin eruptions, and ulcers, and claim that it has a beneficial effect on the immune system.

Sea cucumbers in the waters of Malaysia have been over-harvested to supply consumers of the folk remedy, and as a result the animal and its products are becoming scarce. Efforts to restock the fishery have not generally been successful. Recently, a sea cucumberaquaculture operation was opened on the shores of several Malaysian islands to increase the gamat supply.