Thursday, September 6, 2012

(Toxic?) Supplement


It seems People are selling (potentially toxin producing) algae as supplements.

According to Wikipedia, there are two forms of apahnizomenon flos-aque, toxic and nontoxic forms.  Hope the supplement company is culturing nontoxic form for their business.

[copied from a website selling supplements]
QUESTION: WHAT IS APHANIZOMENON FLOS-AQUAE (AFA) BLUE-GREEN ALGAE?
ANSWER: Aphanizomenon flos-aquae (AFA) Blue-green algae is the first protein and most ancient food on earth. At the bottom of the food chain, it is the most nutrient-rich food (ounce for ounce) known to be created by nature. This simple organism is complete nutrition in its most basic form - the "building blocks of health". Wild AFA blue-green algae is a superb natural source of nutrients for the body. It boasts outstanding levels of chlorophyll, vitamin B12, beta-carotene, iron, protein, enzymes, amino acids and many more complementary nutrients in a completely assimable form. As a result, it can help to increase energy, correct imbalances, oxygenate cells and realize high levels of physical and mental health.

[Wikipedia]
Aphanizomenon flos-aquae is a freshwater species of cyanobacteria. Cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) are an ancient clade of bacterial microphytes, part of the cyanobacteria phylum.

Aphanizomenon flos-aquae as a species has both toxic and nontoxic forms. Most sources worldwide are toxic, containing both hepatic and neuroendotoxins.

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