Question 1

If this is not spirulina, (Arthrospira platensis) what is it?  Is it similar nutritionally, to spirulina?  Approved for human consumption?

Accepted Answer

Aphanizomenon Flos-Aquae is NOT safe for human consumption. Many strains of AFA have a high potential for toxicity. From wikipedia: "Aphanizomenon flos-aquae as a species has both toxic and non-toxic forms.23 While benefits have been indicated,1 toxicity has been shown in some strains of the species Aphanizomenon flos-aquae,4 with cylindrospermopsin5 and saxitoxins present,6 and microcystins found contaminating AFA dietary supplements.7" Many credible organizations have published warnings of the health hazards associated with consuming AFA, including the World Health Organization. From physician John M. McPartland, DO, "The species of blue-green algae sold by Cell Tech, scientific name Aphanizomenon flos-aquae, is one of six species of blue-green algae known to produce toxins.1 When I searched the scientific literature, most of the information regarding A. flos-aquae was not about health benefits, but health hazards.2 A. flos-aquae is the green pond scum that sewage engineers constantly try to control. It kills fish, livestock, wild animals, and people's pets. The reason why more people aren't poisoned, one researcher noted, was the repelling appearance of A. flos-aquae-contaminated water. The literature is full of ways to eradicate it with chlorine, copper sulfate, and other compounds. A. flos-aquae proliferates in sewage and other waters rich in nitrogen and phosphorus. Upper Klamath Lake, where Cell Tech harvests its algae, is a shallow eutrophied lake full of nitrogen and phosphorus from animal feces. Klamath Lake lies along a migratory bird flyway, and large colonies of pelicans poop there year-round in a protected sanctuary. The August 1995 issue of Vegetarian Times describes the lake as pretty polluted. Three epidemic fish kills have occurred there recently, due to algal blooms.    Toxins may also come from bacterial contaminants. Pathogenic bacteria luxuriate in water with a slightly basic pH, like water found in Klamath Lake.3 The mucilaginous sheath encasing A. flos-aquae and Spirulina spp. provides a strong anchor for adhering bacteria. Most Spirulina cultivators recognize this problem and pasteurize their product.4  Cell Tech substitutes expensive pasteurization with a "heat-sanitize" process.5 Toxic samples of A. flos-aquae are frequently infested with gram-negative rod bacteria.6a    A. flos-aquae also produces hepatotoxins and neurotoxins. Some of these are carcinogenic.6b  Others are acutely lethal. The LD50 of one hepatotoxin, microcystin-LR is a mere 50 µg/kg, compared to cyanide's LD50 of 10,000 µg/kg.7  Neurotoxins produced by A. flos-aquae include neosaxitoxin and anatoxin.8 Anatoxin is a chemical cousin to cocaine. Anatoxins may be the reason why people eating blue-green algae sometimes feel energized. Some people also describe being addicted to blue-green algae. Animals are known to develop a fatal attraction to mats of blue-green algae washed up on shorelines.9 Anatoxins are neurotoxins and eventually destroy brain cells.10   And contrary to claims by Cell Tech, toxins have been found in A. flos-aquae coming from Klamath Lake.6,11,12  Cell Tech reportedly tests their algae for these toxins. But in 1984 batches of blue green algae distributed by Cell Tech were found to be toxic and seized by the FDA.13   According to a company posting, tests for toxins are run every other day.14 Cell Tech uses a "bio assay" anatoxin test (which means they inject mice and see if the mice die - PETA are you reading me?)." www tldp com/issue/167/algae.html.  The bottom line is that this stuff is NOT food, it is an environmental burden that contaminates drinking waters, kills fish, pets, and other animals, and has very little peer-reviewed articles published which promote any health benefits of consuming it. A much better alternative to AFA is Spirulina, a different species of cyanobacteria, which does not have any potential to produce toxins. Chlorella is another great source of nutrients and beneficial compounds which has been extensively researched and proven to be beneficial to human health with no risks associated with its consumption. NOTE: AFA and Spirulina are not actually "blue green algae", they are cyanobacteria. They are not plants at all, they are bacteria which perform photosynthesis giving them the blue-green appearance. On the other hand, chlorella is actually a plant, a true algae, not a bacteria. Please do your research before blindly accepting marketing propaganda from companies who's only motive is to profit from you regardless of any harm their products may do to you.

Question 2

Is the gelatin plant sourced or animal sourced ?

Accepted Answer

If it says gelatin and not olive oil or vegetarian capsule it is not vegetarian. Gelatin comes from animal bones boiled to remove the marrow. Then it is condensed. Vegan/plant 'gelatin' is agar agar which is rarely used in american capsules as it is a product from Asia (mine is from Thailand bought from an Asian market).

Question 3

Is this product GMO or non-GMO?  (I tried to email these questions to the company first, but there was a "VIP" pop up blocking me on Contact form).

Accepted Answer

Does not state is the GM or non-GMO it does say that it's all natural plant-based superfood and it is Klamath lake blue-green algae in the only other ingredient is gelatin hope this helps

Question 4

Which spirulina is suppose to be superior?  blue green algae or hawaiian spirulina?

Accepted Answer

Blue Green Algae. By far. Thank you. Teresa

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BRI Nutrition Klamath Blue Green Algae - More Effective Than Spirulina or Chlorella - from The Clean Pure Source of Klamath Lake, 500mg 60ct Gel Capsules

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