Imagine a plant that can nourish your body by providing most of the protein you need to live, help prevent the annoying sniffling and sneezing of allergies, reinforce your immune system and energy levels, help you control high blood pressure and cholesterol and help protect you from cancer. Does such a superfood exist?

Yes. It's called alga spirulina.

When you think of healthy sources of protein, you probably imagine sitting down to a meal of organic eggs or grass-fed beef. If you're a vegetarian, you may turn to plant-protein sources such as nuts, beans, lentils and soy products. Unfortunately, soy is not the health food it claims to be. None of the afore-mentioned great sources of protein compare to the protein punch delivered by spirulina. Spirulina is 60 percent complete protein content compared to beef, which is only 22 percent, and lentils, which is only 26 percent.

In addition to being protein-rich, alga spirulina is an excellent source of vital amino acids and minerals easily assimilated by your body, with over 100 nutrients. You would need to consume only two tablespoons of Nutrex spirulina as a protein substitute for a meal.

Spirulina algae could be considered nature's multivitamin, for all the nutrients it offers. It is a complete protein, rich in chlorophyll, carotenoids, omega-3 fatty acids including GLA, iron, calcium, and many trace minerals. Spirulina is the superior micro-algae used as a sacred power food by the Aztecs of Mexico and Africans of the Sahara region.

This "miracle" plant is a form of blue-green algae that springs from warm, fresh water bodies. Of the three main types of algae, Blue-green micro algae, spirulina, and chlorella, spirulina is said to be the easiest to digest and absorb, because its cell walls are made up of mucopolysaccharides, rather than indigestible cellulose.

Unlike most plants, which need to be cultivated and nurtured, spirulina is a survivor, able to withstand extreme temperature variations and neglect and still thrive. According to studies, spirulina is being successfully used to treat a wide variety of ailments, as well as to support total health.

In addition to being your powerhouse of essential vitamins and minerals, spirulina is a potent detoxifier. Alga Spirulina has been shown as an effective chelating agent for removing toxins such as mercury, and radioactive substances from the body. It has also been used to remove cadmium and lead from waste water.