Fascinating Microalgae – The Overview – Part 1

Wild or cultivated algae Spirulina, chlorella, and Klamath are all blue-green algae (or cyanobacteria), known for their health benefits. 

All are freshwater algae, rich in protein, vitamins, minerals, and very relevant in light of the pandemic, is especially Spirulina, to be discussed in Part Two, which has been studied the most so far regarding immunity, and suggests it has significant well-documented antiviral properties. 

As a category, it’s important to know these blue-green algae are part of a very big family of some 7,500 species but are also the home of some very toxic strains, so wild harvesting, as if one is care-free picking wild blackberries, is not advisable!

This micro-alga is scientifically named Aphanizomenon Flos-Aquae or AFA. 

Controls are now much better and tighter, but even Klamath had some history of pollution problems in the form of microcystins found in the lake which is dangerous to the liver.

This prompted WHO many years ago, to issue a warning about AFA since similar species do grow in other lakes around the world that may not have such careful quality control measures at this time in play as does the outstanding and very safe Klamath source. 

In contrast, Spirulina and chlorella are nowadays cultivated, which provides additional safety for consumers. 

Spirulina is itself richer in iron and for this reason, it is recommended especially for athletes and people suffering from dietary deficiencies, or even anemia.

As for chlorella, it is the only one to contain chlorophyll, which has a detoxifying action on the body, helps eliminate toxins, and stimulates blood circulation. It is also an absorption chelator, particularly with regard to heavy metals.

But on a broad nutritional level, Klamath AFA is richer in vitamins, trace elements, and minerals than Spirulina or chlorella. 

It is reputed to be a “superfood”, even considered, and marketed as the most complete food on the planet and touted to boost immune defenses and improve intellectual performance.

Containing phycocyanin and phenylethylamine, as does Spirulina, AFA is also recommended for osteoarthritis, inflammatory problems, and mood disorders. 

 Is Algae – A Vitamin B12 Source for Vegans? 

Vitamin B12 is almost exclusively present from animal sources–meats, eggs, milk, etc. As a result, vegan diets often contain little to no vitamin B12 sources, thus, plant-based B12 for many years has been investigated for a viable natural non-animal source. 

Only microgram amounts of physiologically available Vit B12 are needed daily and deficiencies, which happen often and can be subtle, for a myriad of reasons, can spell the difference between health and serious disease. 

So far underwater algae may have emerged as a viable candidate for a vegan solution. 

Even so, the situation is complex and the research positions on this subject have frequently changed over the past decades, leading to many false reports. 

In previous tests, almost all algae revealed vitamin B12 analogs instead of the real thing. 

This is the most significant limiting factor in the too ambitious overconsumption of algae products.

Analogs are ineffective and potentially dangerous if overconsumed (competitive inhibition for the cell sites for actual, active physiological B12). 

Consequently, most researchers have dismissed algae as a B12 source and recommend natural vitamin B12 supplements as a safe alternative. 

However, there is one alga of the three, chlorella, which could be the building block of a genuine vegan B12 supply since it contains an absorbable and physiologically efficacious form of Vitamin B12 called “methylcobalamin.” 

Vitamin B12 in Algae: Real or Analogue?

To properly understand the discussion about the B12 content of algae, it is necessary first to take a closer look at analogs. 

Also known as pseudo B12, analogs are so chemically like real B12 that they bond to the same transport molecule.

In contrast, however, they have no vitamin effect on the body whatsoever. The body can use only real B12 bound to a specific transport molecule. 

 When B12 analogs bind to this transport molecule, the actual vitamin cannot be transported, utilized, or is inhibited even when an ideal dietary supply of vitamin B12 is available. 

That’s why I would confidentlaly recommend taking your remarkable forms of algae, which offer so many benefits, but not to over-consume daily,  and to take several hours apart from your B vitamin supplements or B-vitamin food sources.

However, as mentioned, “Methylcobalamin” from Chlorella is the real deal! Genuine and natural Vitamin B12.

 

Ironically, compared to the synthetic and therapeutic vitamin B12, “cyanocobalamin” “Met” is more slowly absorbed and takes much, much more to match similar dosing of cyanocobalamin for optimal nutritional benefits–so there is a trade-off.

I am sometimes asked, if a vegan, should one be advised to take a simple daily B12 supplement? 

My recommendation is an absolute yes!