Is Aphanizomenon Flos-Aquae safe?

Is Aphanizomenon Flos-Aquae safe?

Aphanizomenon flos-aquae has both toxic and nontoxic forms. Most sources worldwide are toxic, containing both hepatic and neuroendotoxins. Most cyanobacteria (including Aphanizomenon) produce BMAA, a neurotoxin amino acid implicated in ALS/Parkinsonism.

What does Aphanizomenon Flos-Aquae do?

Edible blue-green algae, such as Spirulina and Aphanizomenon flos-aquae, are currently marketed as dietary supplements with various health claims for immune function, inflammation, heart disease, and general well-being.

Is Aphanizomenon Flos-Aquae the same as spirulina?

Spirulina is a naturally occurring blue-green algae that is commercially grown in a controlled environment. Another natural blue-green algae, Aphanizomenon flos-aquae (AFA), is grown commercially in the wild, allowing for potential contamination. Blue-green algae are a phylum of bacteria and not true algae.

Does Aphanizomenon produce toxins?

The traditional genus Aphanizomenon comprises a group of filamentous nitrogen-fixing cyanobacteria of which several memebers are able to develop blooms and to produce toxic metabolites (cyanotoxins), including hepatotoxins (microcystins), neurotoxins (anatoxins and saxitoxins) and cytotoxins (cylindrospermopsin).

Is algae healthy for humans?

Blue-green algae (BGA) are among the most primitive life forms on earth and have been consumed as food or medicine by humans for centuries. BGA contain various bioactive components, such as phycocyanin, carotenoids, γ-linolenic acid, fibers, and plant sterols, which can promote optimal health in humans.

Is drinking algae bad for you?

Drinking algae-affected water or consuming food (such as fish or shellfish) containing toxins can lead to gastroenteritis, which can induce vomiting, diarrhoea, fevers and headaches. These toxins may also affect the liver or nervous system. Pets and livestock can also be affected by harmful algae.

Which is better blue green algae or spirulina?

While both spirulina and chlorella each exhibit incredible health benefits when taken as part of a daily diet, it is clear that due to a significantly higher level of beneficial nutrients and a host of other reasons, spirulina is easily superior to chlorella, and all other types of blue-green algae.

Is green spirulina better than blue?

If you really can’t stomach the taste of green spirulina, blue spirulina is the choice for you. Since spirulina and other algae are the only phycocyanin sources, you can still get phycocyanin benefits by taking blue spirulina, which doesn’t have the same taste.

Are blue-green algae supplements safe?

When taken by mouth: Blue-green algae products that are free of contaminants are possibly safe for most people when used short-term. Doses up to 19 grams daily have been used safely for up to 2 months. Lower doses of 10 grams daily have been used safely for up to 6 months.

Why choose Aphanizomenon flos-aquae?

To assure that we produce only pure Aphanizomenon Flos-Aquae we have implemented a thorough quality control system. Klamath Lake blue green algae has been shown to be very nutritionally dense, diverse and absolutely non-toxic. It is a unique single cell organism that has characteristics of plants, animals and bacteria.

Is cyanobacterium Aphanizomenon flos-aquae a natural food source?

Harvesting of the filamentous cyanobacterium Aphanizomenon flos-aquae (Cyanophyceae, Nostocales) from natural populations in Lake Klamath in southern Oregon, USA, began in the early 1980s and the dried biomass is sold as food and health food supplements ( Carmichael et al., 2000) with many claimed benefits (see for example: bluegreenfoods, 2017 ).

Is Aphanizomenon toxic to humans?

Most cyanobacteria (including Aphanizomenon) produce BMAA, a neurotoxin amino acid implicated in ALS / Parkinsonism. Toxicity of A. flos-aquae has been reported in Canada, Germany and China. Aphanizomenon flos-aquae is known to produce endotoxins, the toxic chemicals released when cells die.

What does Aphanizomenon mean?

Aphanizomenon flos-aquae is known to produce endotoxins, the toxic chemicals released when cells die. Once released (lysed), and ingested, these toxins can damage liver and nerve tissues in mammals.