Blue Green Algae

Recommended Blue Green Algae Product

Blue Green Algae

 

Other Names

Blue green algae is the common name for a wide range of bacteria known as cyanobacteria, which can refer to Synechococcus elongatus, Coccopedia, Spirulina platensis, Aphanizomenon flos-aquae, and Cyanidium caldarium.

• pond scum

 

 

What Is It?

Blue-green algae, or cyanobacteria, are found on land, in water and even in the air. Any place that has water and light can support these organisms. Cyanobacteria range from harmless to highly toxic. [i]  Blue-green algae used as dietary supplements include Synechococcus elongatus, Coccopedia, Spirulina platensis, Aphanizomenon flos-aquae and Cyanidium caldarium.

 

Cyanobacteria are aquatic and photosynthetic, which means that they live in the water, and can manufacture their own food. Cyanobacteria are the oldest known fossils, more than 3.5 billion years old. The oxygen atmosphere which sustains us was generated by cyanobacteria during the Archaean and Proterozoic Eras. Cyanobacteria have also played critical roles in shaping the course of evolution and ecological change throughout earth's history.

 

Blue green algae have been touted as “super foods,” and various web sites attribute miraculous health benefits to their consumption. At this time there is no reason to believe that blue green algae is much more than a decent nutitional product at a very high price.

  [ii]  [iii]

 

Spirulina is the notable exception to this statement. Spirulina, which has been studied extensively, shows some promise for a wide range of health needs, including immune enhancement, cancer protection, and improvement in cases of anemia.

 

Spirulina, is a traditional food of some Mexican and African peoples, found in warm water alkaline volcanic lakes. Wild Spirulina sustains huge flocks of flamingos in the alkaline East African Rift Valley Lakes. It thrives in conditions too harsh for other algae. [iv]

 

 

Medicinal History

Any medicinal history of blue green algae use is relatively new, within the past couple of decades. Blue green algae is not a traditional medicine, and is not known to be part of the pharmacopoeia of any indigenous group.

 

What medicinal history exists for spirulina is in the form of scientific inquiry into its anti-viral activity, anti-cancer activity, immune-enhancing properties, and blood-building value, as described below. 

 

Anti-viral activity: In April 1996, scientists from the Laboratory of Viral Pathogenesis, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, announced on-going research, saying "Water extract of Spirulina platensis inhibits HIV-1 replication in human derived T-cell lines and in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells."  [v]

 

 

Anti-cancer activity: Preliminary studies show that spirulina or its extracts may inhibit certain cancers. Some common forms of cancer are thought to be a result of damaged cell DNA, causing uncontrolled cell growth. Cellular biologists have defined a system of special enzymes called Endonuclease which repair damaged DNA to keep cells alive and healthy. In vitro studies suggest the unique polysaccharides of spirulina enhance cell nucleus enzyme activity and DNA repair synthesis.  [vi]  [vii]  [viii]

 

 

Immune-enhancement: Feeding studies show that consumption of spirulina helps to accelerates production of various immune factors, including T-cells, macrophages, B-cells and the anti-cancer Natural Killer cells. These cells circulate in the blood and are especially concentrated in the liver, spleen, thymus, lymph nodes, adenoids, tonsils and bone marrow. [ix] [x] [xi]  [xii]  [xiii]  [xiv]

 

 

Blood-building: Chinese scientists reported that phycocyanin in spirulina stimulating hematopoiesis, the creation of blood. Chinese scientists claim phycocyanin also regulates production of white blood cells, even when bone marrow stem cells are damaged by toxic chemicals or radiation.  [xv]

 

 

Habitat & Cultivation

Initially, large-scale harvesting of blue-green algae masses was performed for research purposes, to study their properties. Today, algae used to manufacture blue-green algae products are harvested from controlled ponds or natural lakes. Before or during harvest, some types of algae will naturally produce chemicals such as microcystins, and these toxins could be retained in the blue-green algae products.

 

 

How It Works

The blue green algae used as dietary supplements appear to possess significant protein (often over 60%), and a range of vitamins, minerals and amino acids. They contain chlorophyll as do all green plants, and this may boost the natural oxygen-carrying properties of blood. Beyond the nutritional value of blue green algae, this “super food” appears to possess no special virtues.

 

 

Contemporary Uses Approved by Authoritative Bodies

No contemporary bodies approve any uses for blue green algae.

 

 

Potential Risks

Safety issues and concerns

·        Before or during harvest, some types of algae will naturally produce chemicals such as microcystins, and these toxins could be retained in the blue-green algal products. These toxins may cause liver damage or gastrointestinal problems.   [xvi]

·        Clinical signs of poisoning from toxins in blue green algae include nervous derangement, staggering, tremors and severe abdominal pain.  [xvii]

·        Because of possible microcystin toxicity, blue green algae should not be used by children, or by pregnant or nursing mothers.

 

 

Contraindications – based on conditions and medication intake, etc.

• No contraindications for most blue green algae are known.

• spirulina may contain phenylalanine. It is best for individuals with phenylketonuria to avoid spirulina.  [xviii]

 

Potentially harmful drug interactions 

• No potentially harmful drug interactions for blue green algae are known.

 

Allergy precautions

• No allergies to blue green algae products are known.

 

 

Usage Tips

Many companies that sell blue green algae products recommend 1 – 2 grams worth of algae per day. There appears to be no rationale for such a dosage recommendation.

 

Marleters of blue green algae claim that consuming 1 – 2 grams of algae approximately 1/2 hour prior to a meal will curb appetite. Let experience be your guide.

 

 

Product Choosing/Buying Tips

·        Look for blue green algae products with a label claim stated that they are tested to contain no toxic microcystins.

 

 

Science Update

A thorough MedLine search reveals no information regarding health benefits of blue green algae use beyond the preliminary science described above for spirulina. Numerous citations discuss blue green algae poisoning, notably in animal populations.

 

Comments about blue green alage such as those found below do not help the scientific case for blue green algae.

 

"The most complete brain food in the world. It increases cognitive and physical efficiency. It is a superior source for almost all vital materials."

Christian Opitz

 

"Afa (Klamath Blue Green Algae) seems to activate the mind-brain function in about  70-80 percent of those using it."

Gabriel Cousens, M.D. [xix]

 

 

 

Controversies

There is significant controversy about the health value of any blue green algae products, and claims made for them. In 1983, the FDA initiated legal action against K.C. Laboratories of Klamath Falls, Oregon, and its president, Victor H. Kollman, whose Blue Green Manna products were promoted with claims that they were effective against a wide range of health problems. In 1986, at the agency's request, a U.S.  District Court judge issued a permanent injunction ordering all parties involved to stop manufacturing, distributing, and selling blue-green algae harvested from Klamath Lake, Oregon.

 

Today a similar line called Super Blue Green Algae is marketed by Cell Tech Inc., a company headed by Kollman's brother Daryl. According to a company promotional tape, "By detoxifying your systems and balancing your nutritional levels,  Super Blue Green provides your body and spirit with ingredients that result in experiences of increased energy, mental clarity, dietary control and feelings of overall well-being. This can enable people to deal with the many stresses of this modern world."