Some differences in the quality of life in old age and the onset of disease and aging depend on genes. However, diet and exercise play a role in how the central nervous system functions with aging. Studies show diets with fruits and vegetables including spirulina support the aging central nervous system.

With aging there are normal age-related changes occurring in the central nervous system. These include increased oxidative stress, inflammation, changes in learning, memory and neurotramsmitter receptor function. Currently, inflammation and oxidative stress arethe predominant theories of aging.

Spirulina has abundant phycocyanin blue, chlorophyll green and carotenoid red pigments. In nature, fruits and vegetables with higher and deeper pigment hues often supply more antioxidants.

For example the deep pigmentation of blueberries produces a high ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) value of 2,600, but spirulina is much higher at 13,000. Studies with aged rats showed diets with spirulina down-regulated markers of inflammation and oxidative stress and improved receptor function in aged rat brains.With both antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions, spirulina has the ability to supplement internal anti-oxidant defense systems.

Human studies have shown beneficial results through TLRs (tolllike receptors) using a dose of 2 grams per day. Animal studiesindicate oral dosing of spirulina can enhance antioxidant activity in the central nervous system. Spirulina should be considered therapeutic intervention for the aging brain. Many beneficial outcomes of spirulina could be linkedto the activation of the innate immune system, first line of defense inour bodies. The enhancement of inflammation seen with normal aging can be down regulated with spirulina, as seen by the benefits of spirulina administration in arthritis.

"Spirulina is a potent food that has many actions in the central nervous system to counterract oxidative stress and inflammation that occur as a consequence of aging and to aid regeneration of the brain following injury or neurodegenerative disease."