Benefits of blue-green algae
BLUE-grEEn algae (BgA), also known as Aphanizomenon flos-aquae (AFA), is a primitive microalgae that existed billions of years ago. It grows wild and harvested in the Upper Klamath Lake (Southern Oregon) in America.
Its presence in the volcanic area in Upper Klamath Lake (Southern Oregon) makes BgA a rich source of protein that amounts to as high as 60% to 70%. In addition, it also contains carbohydrate and lipids as well as a wide range of vitamins and minerals, making it a natural source of wholesome food.
Apart from the nutritious aspect, BgA also has other functional ingredients. One of them is L-selectin ligand, a component known to benefit health.
In addition, BgA also consists of four other active components, each playing different roles and delivering different effects in the human body.
Phycocyanin is a blue pigment that possesses strong antioxidant properties by reducing free radicals and inflammation.
Polysaccharide complex is a long chain of carbohydrate that acts as an immune system booster, which helps prevent common sickness and speeds up recovery from illness. Chlorophyll, as a green pigment, is involved in photosynthesis and has a detoxifying effect on the body.
What are adult stem cells?
Cells make up the basic building blocks of our body. Stem cells are cells that are unspecialised and carry with them two distinguishing characteristics from the rest of the cells:
1) Capability to regenerate itself continuously
2) Undifferentiated cells that can be induced to specialise into specific cells
Adult stem cells play a major role in the natural cell healing and maintenance of our body system. Therefore, they are especially useful for a healthy body.
Why are stem cells important?
The ageing process is accompanied by a progressive decline in the number of circulating stem cells as well as functionality in the body. As the regenerative capacity is depend- ent upon stem cells, this can have a detrimental impact on our health as age catches up.
Our body is continuously bombarded by free radicals that lead to health problems over time. Therefore, we need enough circulating adult stem cells to slow down the ageing process, increase the speed of recovery and help repair and regenerate new cells.
Who needs AFA?
AFA is suitable to be consumed at any age for various outcomes – the young for optimal health; the middle-aged to maintain an energetic lifestyle and delay signs of ageing; and the elderly to relieve symptoms of health problems due to ageing and to help improve the healing process due to injury.
Reference
> raggi C., Berardi A.C., Messenchymal stem cells, aging and regenerative medicine, Muscles Ligaments Tendons J., 2(3): 239-242, 2012. Accessed 11/6/13 http://www.ncbi.nlm. nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3666525/
> Jensen gS, et.al., Mobilization of human CD34+ CD133+ and CD34+ CD133 - stem cells in vivo by consumption of an extract from Aphanizomenon flos-aquae--related to modulation of CXCr4 expression by an L-selectin ligand?, Cardiovasc revasc Med, 8(3):189202, 2007.
> Drapeau C., Mobilization of bone marrow stem cells with StemEnhance(r) improves muscle regeneration in cardiotoxin-induced muscle injury, cell cycle, 9(9):18191823;2010.
> Benedetti S. et.al., Anti-oxidant properties of a novel phycocyanin extract from the bluegreen algae Aphanizomenon flos-aquae, Life Sciences, 2353-2362,2004.
(KKLIU 1277/2013)