Cyanobacteria(blue green algae)

[Lunar*Fey]

In biology we learned something about cyanobacteria (blue green algae) and how it is one of the longest known living organisms...and they haven't varied much at all throughout the years because they have asexual reproduction. So they were one of earth's first living organisms and they are still living today and have not changed much at all. I told my teacher that I was pretty sure some people ate blue green algae (am I right?) and he said he had never heard of that. He wanted me to try and get some more information on this as he was quite interested. Does anyone eat this or know why, or have information, etc? thanks! I'll be reasearching too.

[Arky]

You are absolutely correct - I suggest you Google for 'blue-green algae', 'upper klamath algae' and 'e3 live'


Very nutritious but note that the claims of vitamin B12 in the algae are now widely-held to be incorrect by those in the know, and are sometimes deliberately misleading, since there is good reason to believe that the B12 in these algaes are analogues - analogues compete for B12 receptor sites in the body but do not fulfil the function the body requires of them. The net result may be that the competition they offer to genuine B12 may result in poor genuine B12 uptake by the body, even though genuine B12 intake levels from the diet may be, in all other respects, adequate.
This is a highly-contentious issue and there are still some who claim that the algae B12 is not analogue but true B12.

Anyway, B12 issues aside, many people swear by blue-green algae for its nutritive value, despite fears of toxic blooms from time to time (producers claim such toxic blooms only occur lower down the Klamath lake water system, where harvesting is not supposed to take place). The upper klamath lake water is supremely mineral-rich and pure. This is why you will see the algae specifically referred to as 'upper' Klamath...

This particular blue-green algae is apparently only found in the Klamath lake, whereas green algaes such as spirulina and chlorella are found in a number of places around the world (Hawaii, Japan etc.) and are often deliberately farmed rather than harvested from natural-occurring resources.

Gabriel Cousins is one well-known raw food guru who discusses the use of algaes in some detail. There's also some good discussion in Paul Pitchford's superb 'Healing With Whole Foods: Asian Traditions and Modern Nutrition'. Note that these algaes are not necessarily edible without some processing - chlorella, for example, requires the smashing of its cell walls before it can be of practical use for nutritional purposes.This may be done with a high-pressure jet spray, for example. I really recommend you get hold of Pitchford's book - it's a wonderful reference for all manner of nutritional healing issues and topics.


J.

[Lunar*Fey]

thanks Arky, that was quite helpful. I found some information and will show my teacher tomorrow

[karenisraw]

I take Klamath Lake Blue Green Algea sometimes. I also know that you can get DHA from algea but I do not know if it is blue green algea.

k
:)

[Lunar*Fey]

thanks Karenisraw, I don't know what DHA is lol.
I read something that said blue green algae is one of the only vegetarian sources of long chain essential fatty acids.

[exurb]

be very careful with all non-spirulina blue green algae. I read that the Canadian government is on it - I think it was liver damage, I can't remember all the details.

My little rant: Take that 20 bucks and send it to Darfur or whatever cause you believe in rather than spending it on overrated overpriced and potentially dangerous pond scum. Why do we need to feel like we've discovered some great secret that no one else knows about, that there's a food product that can do all this magic stuff. What's wrong with just eating healthily?

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On May 5, 1999, the Canadian Health Protection Branch warned that products containing blue-green algae may contain toxins harmful to the liver and some species of blue-green algae naturally produce toxins known as microcystins. To determine the extent of this problem, Health Canada, through the Office of Natural Health Products, Therapeutic Products Program, and the Food Directorate of the Health Protection Branch, surveyed products to determine how many are on the market, in what forms they are, and the levels of microcystins they contain. On September 27, 1999, the survey results were announced in a news release:

Results of Health Canada's market survey testing of blue-green algal products show that no microcystins were detected in products made from only one type of blue-green algae, Spirulina blue-green algae, which is generally harvested from controlled ponds.

However, testing indicates that for many non-Spirulina blue-green algal products, harvested from natural lakes, consumption according to manufacturers directions results in a daily intake of microcystins above that considered acceptable by Health Canada and the World Health Organization. Microcystins are toxins which accumulate in the liver and can cause liver damage. They are naturally produced by some kinds of blue-green algae. Blue-green algal products are sold in tablet, capsule, or powder forms as food supplements, often as a natural source of minerals.

Health Canada began its broad sampling of blue-green algal products available on the Canadian market in May 1999, after several blue-green algal products were found to contain unacceptable levels of microcystins. Analytical testing was then performed to measure the levels of microcystins in the blue-green algal products, and the level of risk to Canadian consumers was determined. Based on the results, products made only from Spirulina blue-green algae are no longer considered a microcystin-related health risk.

For non-Spirulina blue-green algal products, follow-up will be done on a case by case basis. Health Canada's Food Directorate has communicated the test results and their health significance to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, and has indicated that products on the Canadian market, when consumed according to manufacturers directions, should not exceed the daily intake of microcystins considered acceptable by the World Health Organization and Health Canada. Subsequent compliance measures are the responsibility of the CFIA.

Health Canada recommends that children not be given products containing the non-Spirulina blue-green algae until measures to address any risk have been implemented. Because of their lower body weight, children are at greater risk of developing serious illness from blue-green algal products containing elevated levels of microcystins, especially if these products are ingested for an extended period of time.

Despite recent reports that blue-green algal products can be used as a treatment for Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), Health Canada has not received any evidence to support such claims, and has not authorized the marketing of any blue-green algal products for any therapeutic purpose. In Canada, the blue-green algal products examined to date are sold as foods, and Health Canada does not allow therapeutic claims for substances sold as foods.

Adult consumers who choose to use products containing non-Spirulina blue-green algae should do so for short periods of time only. Adverse symptoms from long-term use of these products (weeks to months) may not be obvious but could range from a feeling of general malaise or gastrointestinal discomfort, to jaundice. Concerned consumers should contact their health care professionals for advice [4].

In May 2000, the Oregon Department of Health released data from a survey which found that 63 out of 87 samples contained microcystin levels above its regulatory limit of 1 microgram/gram. The published abstract states:

The presence of blue-green algae (BGA) toxins in surface waters used for drinking water sources and recreation is receiving increasing attention around the world as a public health concern. . . . BGA products are commonly consumed in the United States, Canada, and Europe for their putative beneficial effects, including increased energy and elevated mood. Many of these products contain Aphanizomenon flos-aquae, a BGA that is harvested from Upper Klamath Lake (UKL) in southern Oregon, where the growth of a toxic BGA, Microcystis aeruginosa, is a regular occurrence. M. aeruginosa produces compounds called microcystins, which are potent hepatotoxins and probable tumor promoters. Because M. aeruginosa coexists with A. flos-aquae, it can be collected inadvertently during the harvesting process, resulting in microcystin contamination of BGA products. In fall 1996, the Oregon Health Division learned that UKL was experiencing an extensive M. aeruginosa bloom, and an advisory was issued recommending against water contact. The advisory prompted calls from consumers of BGA products, who expressed concern about possible contamination of these products with microcystins. In response, the Oregon Health Division and the Oregon Department of Agriculture established a regulatory limit of 1 µg/g for microcystins in BGA-containing products and tested BGA products for the presence of microcystins. Microcystins were detected in 85 of 87 samples tested, with 63 samples (72%) containing concentrations > 1 µg/g. HPLC and ELISA tentatively identified microcystin-LR, the most toxic microcystin variant, as the predominant congener [5].

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OK, I'm done ranting. :)

BTW, I got sick as a dog from this stuff, I started taking it because it was recommended in many raw books.

No more pond scum in my diet!! :)

Please take care of yourselves and be critical and thorough in looking for information, especially when diverging into new and unconventional areas.

[Brianna]

I take blue green algae (E3Live) every day. It's an amazing brain food and is also great for the blood and contains essential fatty acids.

[LightLover]

Hi Exurb, that's quite negative information you have regarding e3live.

Did you ask their opinion about this?

(www.e3live.com)

I think someone ought to do, so if you can let know.



thanks,

[Tirza]

Wow! I am not usually inclined to put too much faith in the gov't agencies and their negativity about "natural and health food products" but this one kind of hit a chord with me. They are not ALWAYS just out to "get" the natural food industry. They may be actually trying to save themselves some money in health care in not having to deal with people who innocently bring some of these problem on themselves. (We have gov't health care in Canada, so they won't be interested in having to treat this if it poses a problem.)

I am really not interested in getting my liver out of shape. I think I will hold off on this stuff until I can be really reassured about it, and NOT by the people who produce or sell it. That would be too much conflict of interest for me to swallow. Besides, I turned a little "green" at reading the term "pond scum". We used to have a pond on our property...Nothing more needs to be said....

I have some green powders that I used to take before I started making my own fresh green smoothies. I was thinking of taking them along on my upcoming holiday just as a stop-gap while away. I don't want to deal with a lot of fresh greens-the washing and storing-or with taking my big blender. I thought if I take my little Magic Bullet and use fresh juice and bananas or other softer fruits plus the green powder, I'd have a pretty good mix for the short term. However, after reading the article I went and looked at the ingredients in it and guess what - "...Spirulina, Chlorella..." Nothing specific. so I don't know if it is the so-called safer one or not. I wonder if I should take it. (Garden of Life-Perfect Food Original Super Green Formula) Most of these mixes and natural multivitamins etc. will likely have this in them.

[LightLover]

Well, spirulina seems to be safe , and chlorella is also blue-green I suppose
so that last one I have a little doubt

[juliebove]

Hmmm... I've been taking Super Algae by Nature's Sunshine. It contains Spirulina, Klamath Lake blue-green algae and Chlorella regularis. My ND told me I needed it because she felt I wasn't eating enough food every day and this would give me some nutrition.

[LightLover]

I mailed the text from "ëxurb" to the sales department of e3live.com
to ask their opinion....

[desertroadrunner]

Has anyone ever tried GT's Organic Raw Kombucha Multi-Green? It's a Kombucha drink containing 100% G.T.'s organic raw kombucha, klamath mountain blue-green algae, chlorella, sprulina, and 100% pure love!!! I was turned onto it a few weeks ago by some shoppers at the Whole Foods morket in Los Angeles. I love it! We don't have a Whole Foods market in town where I live. I had my husband bring me a weeks supply the last time he went on travel down south for his work. I've been enjoying them every afternoon after lunch as a pick-me-up. Now, I'm not so sure they're good for me.

[LightLover]

I received an answer from e3live.com ( with a long story about all the testingprocedures) . Who likes to read it , can mail me and I will reply with their answer.

Remains a difficult story