In Japan, a customer survey19 reported 73% of spirulina customers were 50 years and older, and 57% of these people were women. 45% say they were taking it for treatment of a specific problem. Another 28% use it to maintain health and restore physical wellness, and 12% use it as a nutritional supplement. Of those taking it for treatment, 22% use it for blood sugar problems and diabetes, 15% for eye problems, and 14% to relieve constipation.

Typically, they take 4 grams daily (8 500 mg tablets), and many use even more for maintaining long term health. Because many older people don’t eat enough, have restricted diets, or suffer from poor digestion, many have low energy and may be undernourished. Some seniors eat by themselves and don’t make the effort to have nutritionally sound meals. Concentrated foods like spirulina are an excellent supplement: 60% protein, easy-to-digest, and known to assist recovery from malnutrition.

All vegetable lowfat protein means seniors can lighten up on meat centered diets that aggravate arthritis and raise cholesterol. With the highest level of the protective anti-oxidant beta carotene, it’s good for eyes and vision. It builds healthy lactobacillus, aiding in assimilation and elimination. More older people desire to eat less meat, so it’s important to choose iron rich vegetable sources like spirulina. Vitamin B-12 absorption decreases with age, so B-12 rich spirulina is a sound choice. It contains the rare essential fatty acid GLA, essential nutrients for healthy skin. Gram-for-gram it has more calcium and magnesium than other foods. Calcium and magnesium supplements are recommended for mature women who may have lost calcium from their bone mass and suffer from osteoporosis. Americans are becoming more aware of the value of nutritional supplements for an aging population. Business Week20 identified a new category for the food industry:

“Nutrition of the Future – Foods that Fight Aging,” highlighting the role of antioxidant nutrients: vitamins C, E and beta carotene. Anti-aging foods and supplements for older people who don’t eat much, or can’t absorb enough nutrients will probably be in the form of high-nutrient foods. This practically describes spirulina: a digestible whole food with the highest betacarotene level of any food.