5 min
Spirulina and running: what are the benefits?
Whatever our age and physical condition, getting into the good habit of practicing sport regularly allows us to improve our physical and mental well-being. Physical activity aids digestion, reduces stress levels and promotes overall well-being.
Also, practicing sport or physical activity reduces the likelihood of metabolic diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease or dementia.
Among the most appreciated and practiced sporting activities, both at the professional level and by many amateurs, is running . Few ingredients are enough to start running: motivation, good shoes, a correct diet and possibly the right food supplements for greater effectiveness.
Yes yes, we are referring to a supplement and not just any supplement: spirulina , this blue-green cyanobacteria which has not finished making headlines!
If you want to know more about this spiral-shaped microorganism, our complete guide to spirulina and its components will enlighten you.
But in particular, what are the benefits of spirulina for running ? We reveal everything to you in this article!
The benefits of running
The beneficial effects of running on our body are countless: it oxygenates the brain , improves concentration, relieves stress and keeps us in shape.
Running is also very effective in preventing many disorders and maintaining balance in the body.
In addition, running is excellent for the heart and the entire cardiovascular system, thanks to its positive effects on blood pressure and heart function .
These benefits are not limited to the moment of physical activity, but have a cascading effect on our body in general.
Why consume spirulina for running?
Today, spirulina , characterized by its high nutritional values , is popular among athletes and has become the ideal companion for any runner. But did you know that its use with Olympic athletes is not a recent discovery?
Indeed, one of the first athletes to use spirulina was Lee Evans, double gold medalist at the 1968 Olympic Games and world record holder in athletics. Evans said: “Spirulina improved my performance, gave me speed and increased my endurance.” In 1983, he revealed that the athletes he was training for the 1984 Olympics were supplementing with spirulina , with extraordinary results.
But why does the spirulina running combo work so well? And what are the ingredients in spirulina that contribute to better performance for athletes and runners in particular? Here are the answers in detail.
Spirulina, this superfood for running
Spirulina in running is considered a true superfood , which provides many healthy nutrients and acts as support, ensuring excellent energy intake .
Indeed, during the practice of any sport, a sustained intake of carbohydrates is essential.
First, thanks to its carbohydrate content, spirulina provides immediate energy to runners.
Then, during prolonged exercise, spirulina allows you to draw on the body's fatty acid reserves, in order to transform them into glucose and thus produce energy .
We recommend you
Organic Spirulina
100% pure and natural organic spirulina rich in vegetable proteins, minerals and vitamins.
- ✅ Dried and cold compressed
- ✅ Optimal dosage (500 mg / tablet)
- ✅ Certified Organic by Ecocert
- ✅ 3 months of treatment
Spirulina, better endurance for runners
It is no coincidence that more and more athletes, in all sports, are using spirulina as a supplement to improve their performance and endurance , as well as their muscle recovery .
This is why spirulina is mainly used by runners who prefer long distances or frequently participate in marathons .
Also, the rich protein content of spirulina allows it to contribute to muscle integrity as well as its reconstitution after intense effort.
Spirulina and running: source of iron for better oxygenation
When we practice intense physical activity such as running, oxygen consumption is multiplied by more than 10. Consequently, the body requires more red blood cells and therefore, even more iron .
Thanks to the presence of antioxidant pigments such as phycocyanin, carotenoids and chlorophyll, spirulina provides essential cellular oxygenation for runners.
During the oxygenation of the body, phycocyanin participates in the production of red blood cells , according to a process similar to the action of EPO (erythropoietin), but in a natural way.
This makes this cyanobacteria an excellent source of natural iron , which is very assimilable in the gastrointestinal tract.
Spirulina and running: source of antioxidants against muscle fatigue
Physical activity causes a temporary imbalance between the production of free radicals and their elimination, a phenomenon known as oxidative stress .
To counter these effects, the body needs antioxidants, which helps prevent cell damage and reduce recovery time .
The antioxidants in spirulina act synergistically to prevent damage caused to skeletal muscles by oxidative stress. At the same time, they help delay muscle fatigue .
We recommend you
Sports Pack
composed of 2 of our flagship products that will help you boost your performance: Organic Spirulina and Multivitamins.
- ✅ Cold-dried organic spirulina
- ✅ Multivitamins with 29 nutrients
- ✅ Optimal dosage
- ✅ Ranging from 1 to 3 months of treatment
Spirulina and running: help against muscle cramps
Anyone who practices sporting activity knows the effects of lactic acid, a product of metabolism activated during intense or long-term exercise in conditions of oxygen deprivation.
The accumulation of lactic acid, also due to excessive sweating causing the rapid loss of mineral salts, leads to several consequences: muscle fatigue, feeling of discomfort in the muscles, or even the appearance of the dreaded involuntary and painful muscle contractions .
Athletes are wary of this phenomenon because it can interrupt a training session, ruin a race, and become a risk factor for injury .
Spirulina being an excellent natural source of minerals such as iron, magnesium, potassium, manganese, calcium, phosphorus, zinc and selenium, it helps to integrate mineral losses and prevent muscle discomfort. .
Spirulina and running: high quality proteins
For muscles to function optimally during running, it is necessary to provide the body with high-quality proteins and all essential amino acids, particularly leucine, isoleucine and valine.
These branched-chain amino acids are very important because they help the muscle undergoing intense training reduce damage during exercise.
This is also one of the reasons why spirulina is a very effective supplement in bodybuilding .
In addition, branched chain amino acids limit delayed aches .
How to consume spirulina tablets?
Our Organic Spirulina comes in the form of 500 mg tablets, which we believe to be the most practical way to supplement with this superfood.
If you practice a sport, whether running or another activity, here are the dosages that we recommend:
- During periods of preparation : 2-4 grams, preferably taken before meals;
- During periods of intense effort or competitions: between 4 and 8 grams per day;
- The day of the competition : 3 grams 2 hours before, 5 grams 10 minutes before;
- After the competition : 5 grams immediately after physical effort, in order to eliminate accumulated waste more effectively and recover much more quickly .
In conclusion, if running is a source of numerous health benefits, adding spirulina supplementation will make you take a real leap forward!
Try it, you'll tell us what's happening!
Lucas PINOS
Co-founder of NOVOMA
Passionate and expert in micro-nutrition, Lucas founded Novoma in 2012. It is with conviction that he develops food supplements with effective, carefully chosen and 100% clean active ingredients, to best meet the body's needs.
