AFA Blue Green Algae FAQs
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.
Wild AFA blue-green algae has properties which can aid in alleviating various symptoms by assisting the body’s natural processes of detoxification.
Recent tests conducted by Gitte Jensen, PhD; Donald Ginsberg, MS; and Christian Drapeau, MS; have revealed the effects of AFA Blue-Green Algae (BGA) on health, disease, and the immune system. It has been suggested that due to the many various properties of BGA, including the synergistic effects of the concentrated phytochemicals (Carotenoids, Chlorophyll, Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids, and Phycocyanin), algae can be used in many ways to encourage health and healing. The following information highlights the benefits reported in this study and the positive effects of AFA Blue-Green Algae.
Quality. The expert harvesting management program and unique processing techniques used in our products are incomparable – no other harvester of Klamath Lake blue-green algae utilizes these methods. Upon extraction from the deepest waters of the lake, we immediately chill the algae and purify it through an exclusive filtering process. Solid algae is then converted to powder through proprietary Low Temperature drying system without causing oxidation or any degradation to preserve the integrity of the phytonutrients naturally present in wild blue-green-algae. Our algae is subjected to a rigorous testing regimen at every production segment to ensure our products to be the purest, freshest, and most efficacious Klamath Lake AFA blue-green algae available.
The following recommendations are guidelines for incorporating our products into your daily regimen.
AFA (vegetarian capsules) As a dietary supplement, take 2 capsules, twice daily with meals. Start by taking 1 capsules, twice daily with meals. Slowly increase to 2 – 4 capsules, twice daily with meals.
Digestive Enzymes As a dietary supplement, take 2 capsules, with a full glass of water before each meal daily. Start by taking 1 capsule, 3 times daily with meals. Slowly increase to 2 capsules, 3 times daily with meals.
Vanilla Smoothie (powder) As a dietary supplement take 3 Tbsp. (20 g) once daily mixed with 8 ounces of milk or juice.
Shelf Life: 3 years
Store our products away from direct sunlight and other sources of heat. Products should be stored in a cool, dry place at room temperatures between 40° and 80° Fahrenheit, or 5° and 27° Celsius.
AFA and Vanilla Smoothie should always be refrigerated.
Digestive Plant Enzymes are best preserved at room temperature. Store in a cool, dry place. Do not refrigerate or expose to moisture.
ALL OUR PRODUCTS contain pure blue-green algae (Aphanizomenon flos-aquae) AFA. They contain No Sugar, No Artificial Colors, No Artificial Flavors, No Soy, No Dairy, No Yeast.
Aphanizomenon flos-aquae is a rich source valuable nutrients which help to nourish your body and stimulate your immune system. The beneficial effects of these nutrients in your body can be subtle as they work to provide long-term protection and well-being. As you gradually introduce AFA products into your daily diet, noticeable effects will vary dependent upon your general health, diet, exercise routine, and lifestyle.
Many people may experience energetic feelings within a few weeks of use, others may experience fatigue, and minor discomfort as their body adjusts to this new nutritional regimen – others may notice no effect whatsoever. It is important to maintain a healthy diet and exercise regularly in order to reap the full, long-term benefits of AFA. While the benefits of consuming algae may not always be visibly manifested, be assured its phytonutrients are working “behind the scenes” throughout your body’s internal systems.
Our nutritional supplements are intended to nourish and support the systemic functions of the body. We recommend you consult with your medical or healthcare professional prior to consuming AFA if you have any concerns regarding your health or a medical condition.
We recommend you consult with your medical or healthcare professional prior to consuming AFA if you have any concerns regarding the interaction of our products with your prescribed medications. One gram of Aphanizomenon flos-aquae contains approximately 50% of the daily recommendation for vitamin K. Vitamin K is an essential nutrient for proper blood coagulation. If you are taking anti-coagulant medication, we recommend you consult with your doctor prior to consuming AFA.
AFA is not contraindicated for pregnant or nursing women. However, we recommend that pregnant or nursing women consult with their medical or healthcare professional prior to consuming AFA..
The beneficial effects of AFA in your body can be subtle as it works to provide long-term protection and well-being. Some people may experience noticeable changes within a few weeks of use – others may notice no effect whatsoever. It is important to maintain a healthy diet and exercise regularly in order to reap the full, long-term benefits of AFA. And, while the benefits of consuming algae may not always be visibly manifested, be assured its phytonutrients are working “behind the scenes” throughout your body’s internal systems.
Spirulina is grown artificially in concrete or plastic ponds using a sodium chloride salt content, often 100 times greater than that of Klamath Lake. Almost all Spirulina manufacturers spray dry, which kills Enzymes and other heat-sensitive components, and decreases the Beta-Carotene due to the high temperatures.
Our AFA Blue-Green Algae quality care begins with the selection of the freshest AFA “Blooms” from pristine Eagle Ridge. Rapid chilling of the AFA to 34 to 37 degrees Fahrenheit quickly follows the harvesting.
Next, our algae is further purified by careful centrifugation, leaving a product chilled and scrupulously clean. Our products are handled more expeditiously from harvest to freezer than any competitive product.
Our quality control parameters, coupled with our proprietary final processing, yields the Lake’s most potent source of AFA.
Because Klamath Lake has 30 to 40 ft of organic nutrient sediment from past volcanic activity, our AFA Blue-Green Algae has about 40% more Calcium, 100% more Chromium, 275% more Chlorophyll, and five to ten times the Vitamin C content of Spirulina.
Compared to Spirulina’s 50 to 60% assimilation rate, our AFA Blue-Green Algae is 100% assimilable!
Our quality control and testing procedures ensure the absolute purity, potency and freshness of every product we manufacture. Bluegreen Foods is deeply committed to manufacturing and packaging the products that are the resultant of cGMP and SOP procedures. All the products are packed by utilizing state-of-the art automatic machineries to preserve purity, freshness and integrity of the finished product. To oversee all the functions in processing, Bluegreen Foods utilizes the services of highly trained doctors, pharmacists, and engineers. These professionals work in conjunction with hospitals, research institutes and government agencies.
Bluegreen Foods believes that quality is not just a parameter but also a value added result. Quality Assurance Program (QAP) at Bluegreen Foods includes research & development, quality control procedures, the latest scientific information, technology, training, and testing methods. Our company uses the latest instruments like HPLC, Atomic Absorption, Polarimeter, Differential Scanning Calorimeter, Sonicator, Buchi Rotovapor, Flame Photometer, and Chloroscope. With this Quality Assurance Program an effective and efficient implementation of scrupulous quality assurance standards are achieved.
Myths about
Aphanizomenon flos-aquae
There is much misleading information out there concerning the benefits and safety of AFA. In this section we will address the myths and misconceptions that we have come across and reassure you that our AFA is of the highest quality. Some of the information will be in a question/answer format and some will be commentary on found information.
Isn’t algae toxic/poisonous?
There are thousands of different algae species. Some species of algae are toxic and some are not, however our Bluegreen Foods products are from one single particular species of non-toxic edible nutritional blue-green algae (Cyanophyta) called Aphanizomenon flos-aquae. This species has been eaten by people for thousands of years and has provided great benefits.
From the moment we harvest the AFA, to its final packaging, we work with only the most highly trained and qualified staff. We handle our AFA with such care from start to finish. Factors contributing to this quality include: where and how we harvest, keeping the AFA cold at all times, superior filtration and storage, and ongoing quality-control testing of all of our products. All Bluegreen Foods products are tested thoroughly by independent USDA certified labs for food safety, shelf-life and various other purity tests.
The benefits of Aphanizomenon flos-aquae are directly related to the care and attention given to sourcing and harvesting the product. Our quality care begins with the selection of the freshest AFA “blooms” from pristine Eagle Ridge. The harvesting is quickly followed by rapid chilling of the AFA to 34 to 37 degrees Fahrenheit. Next, our AFA is Further purified by careful centrifugation, leaving a product chilled and scrupulously clean. AFA Bluegreen Algae is handled more expeditiously from harvest to freezer than any competitive product. Our quality control parameters, coupled with our proprietary final processing, yields the Lake’s most potent source of AFA.
Unless you know the source of your AFA, there is no guarantee of quality. Bluegreen Foods AFA products are harvested by the most competent harvesting team, and staff of engineers in our industry.
Klamath Lake is polluted and toxic.
Klamath Lake is continually monitored for heavy metals, pesticides and herbicides. There has never been concern, as all tests come back showing the water is acceptable as potable. At 140 square miles, Klamath Lake is the largest inland body of water in the Pacific Northwest, surrounded by privately owned and state owned timberlands, national forests and government-protected land. Residential development is limited to a small portion of the southern tip of the lake. The area from which AFA is harvested is remote from any industrial or residential activity.
It is often thought that lakes are polluted because they have algae growing in them, but this is a myth. The water quality must be good for nutritional species to exist. AFA is a nutritional specie of cyanophyta and is considered safe for human consumption and considered an agricultural product by the Oregon Department of Agriculture Food and Safety Division.
AFA is a liver toxin.
This myth happens because of a lack of education and a lack of understanding of the different species of algae. AFA is a nutritional specie of cyanophyta and is considered safe for human consumption and considered an agricultural product by the Oregon Department of Agriculture Food and Safety Division. There are tens of thousands of species of algae. Of blue-green algae, some species are toxic, some are not, and a few are considered nutritional sources. AFA cyanophyta has been consumed for hundreds, perhaps thousands of years. In our current culture, this specific source of AFA harvested from Klamath Lake has been used for more than 25 years, including in clinical settings with notable doctors.
The specie of algae that is a liver toxin is not AFA, it is called Microcystis aeruginosa. It occurs in nearly every body of water, including our public drinking water. The Oregon Department of Agriculture has set a safe level of less than one part per million as acceptable in algae products. It is interesting to note that we must abide by these figures, but there are no set figures for your public drinking water.
There are side effects.
Side effects are talked about when referring to pharmaceutical drugs. AFA is a whole food resulting only in cleansing and detoxification of the body. As AFA contains chlorophyll, and high amounts of chlorophyll are known to cleanse the body, the body’s house cleaning, or detoxification, occurs when ingesting AFA. To ensure that the toxins are gently cleansed from the body’s systems, we always recommend that people drink at least ½ ounce of pure water per pound of their body weight each day and start by taking smaller amounts of AFA, Flakes or Capsules, unless they are eating a healthy organic diet, in which case they can consume any amount of AFA that feels right for them.
People shouldn’t eat pond scum.
That’s correct. Algae growing in ponds, swimming pools, etc. may not be safe for human consumption. Bluegreen Foods AFA is a nutritional specie of cyanophyta and is considered safe for human consumption and considered an agricultural product by the Oregon Department of Agriculture Food and Safety Division. There are tens of thousands of species of algae. Of blue-green algae, some species are toxic, some are not, and a few are considered nutritional sources. AFA cyanophyta has been consumed for hundreds, perhaps thousands of years. In our current culture, this specific source of AFA harvested from Klamath Lake has been used for more than 25 years, including in clinical settings with notable doctors.
| Information provided on this site is for educational purposes only and not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease. Consult with your physician or healthcare professional for diagnosis of medical problems or prescribed treatments. |
