Klamath Blue Green Algae is a green superfood for both body and brain, helping us to naturally find optimum health and nutritional balance.

KLAMATH BLUE GREEN ALGAE^®, known botanically as Aphanizomenon Flos-Aquae, is an organic, wild green superfood that has long been valued for its rich nutrient content and unique nutritional profile. To give you a little background, algae were one of the first life forms on our planet, achieving photosynthesis and setting the stage for life for all other organisms. There are over 20,000 species of algae ranging from the single celled variety to multi cellular organisms such as the larger seaweeds. As a food supplement algae has been used by people for thousands of years and early civilisations including the Aztecs and African tribes used algae as a rich source of protein.

So how does using algae help improve your physical and mental health? Well, along with its many health benefits Klamath Blue Green Algae^® has been associated with increased positive effects upon mental energy, attention, mood elevation and anxiety reduction.

Aphanizomenon Flos-Aquae (see below) has a simple cellular structure which makes the nutrients in this algae remarkably easily absorbed, up to 98% absorbable in fact. As the nutrients are in their most natural form the body can readily absorb and assimilate them, which is not always the case with synthetic nutritional supplements. Klamath Blue Green Algae^® contains a full spectrum of natural antioxidants, all vitamins, minerals, trace elements and amino acids plus essential fats and enzymes. For example it’s a great source of beta carotene and fifteen other carotenoids, a family of fat soluble antioxidants which are important for helping prevent macular degeneration, for promoting healthy skin and supporting the immune system. It also provide high amounts of the B vitamins that are essential for energy production, and optimum nerve and brain function. And it is actually one of the few vegetarian sources of complete proteins, meaning it has all eight essential amino acids and contains 60% protein which is necessary for healthy growth and repair of the body. The vast array of nutrients contained within algae work to ensure your body is energised and receives the right nutrition to promote enhanced health and wellbeing by supporting and nourishing the many systems and processes that make up the human body.

As if that wasn’t enough, Klamath Blue Green Algae^® is also a powerful detoxifier due to its high chlorophyll content. Chlorophyll is the natural pigment that gives plants their green colour and has been shown to be a potent antioxidant, a natural antiseptic and pH balancer. It binds to environmental toxins and heavy metals removing them from the body and preventing them from accumulating in our tissues. With the rise in pollution in our environment it’s becoming ever more necessary to protect ourselves from the constant onslaught of chemicals and toxins that are so damaging to our health, owing to its nutritive properties and strong detoxification action, this algae is the ideal compliment to a healthy diet.

As well as being a wonderful tonic for the body, Klamath Blue Green Algae^® has a great affinity with the brain and nervous system. A singular feature of the algae-derived nutrients is that they are unique ability to cross the blood-brain barrier allowing it to deliver its nutrients directly where they are needed to feed and support the brain. One nutrient in particular called phenylethylalamine (PEA) is a naturally occurring amphetamine and neuromodulator. PEA is known as the ‘love molecule’ because it increases levels of natural endorphins usually produced when we are in love or during exercise. It has the ability to promote healthy moods, reduce symptoms of stress and anxiety and help ease depression due to its action on the neurotransmitters dopamine and serotonin in the brain. Increasing your levels of PEA has been shown to stimulate concentration, provide greater mental energy and increase libido and has a general anti-stress effect.

For such a tiny organism it definitely packs a nutritional punch when it comes to improving the health of your mind and body, can you really afford to do without it?

Hayat El Hamri is a life coach and lecturer. She has many years of experience in the alternative health and with natural health products. This article is based on info from a longer article by nutritionist Kirsten Brooks.