AFA Blue-Green Algae and The Immune System

AFA blue-green algae is able to improve the immune system in several ways. This supplement helps people to protect themselves from viruses, from certain diseases, and it may also prevent cancer. The viruses are counterattacked with substances such as vitamin C which, according to some studies that have been performed by scientists, seems to be even more effective than the flu shot. In addition, Aphanizomenon flos-aquae (AFA) tends to alter the activity of the Natural Killer cells. These are an important part of the immune system as they are able to identify and to kill the cancerous cells and the viruses.

Natural Killer cells, also known as NK cells, represent a variety of cytotoxic lymphocyte. Their importance in the innate immune system cannot be denied. They are named this way because they are not activated by other elements of the immune system and because prior to killing cancerous and virus infected cells. The NK cells have in their composition proteins such as perforin and proteases known as granzymes. After identifying the target cell, the proteins create holes in the cell membrane. Next, the granzymes and other similar molecules enter the infected cells and determine a certain process named apoptosis. This is the most important type of programmed cell death. When the cancerous cells gain a specific morphology, they are killed by the Natural Killer cells. At the moment, the way the Natural Killer cells distinguish the infected cells from the normal ones is still unknown. Scientists conduct studies in order to find out these mechanisms. It is believed that the differentiation is done by the two types of receptors found in the NK cells: activating receptors and inhibitory receptors.

Scientists have concluded that in people who consume Aphanizomenon flos-aquae, 40 percent of the Natural Killer cells found in the blood move to the tissues. This way, the cancerous cells are identified and destroyed more rapidly. In addition, it has also been concluded that no other substance is able to have such an effect on the Natural Killer cells. In conclusion, people are able to prevent cancer and viral infections which otherwise would be difficult, if not even impossible to treat.

The antioxidants found in the composition of AFA blue-green algae help people to reduce the oxidative stress levels. Oxidative stressed is believed to be involved in the pathogenesis of many health conditions such as stroke and neurodegenerative diseases. These substances, along with the ones that help NK cells to move from the bloodstream to the tissues, make AFA such a beneficial product. Of course, the number of benefits that are brought by this supplement is greater, but the other effects are caused by other substances.

Alexander King is a passionate enthusiast of raw living superfood nutrition, longevity and peak performance promoting foods and products. More information about AFA blue-green algae may be found at his informational site [http://www.e3livereview.com]

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Alexander_King

Blue Green Algae – A Brief Review of the Latest Research

Aphanizomenon flos-Aquae (A.F.A, a.k.a. Wild Blue-Green Algae) boasts a full range of vitamins, essential amino acids, and naturally chelated minerals. AFA is also an excellent source of vitamin B12, as well as Omega 3 fatty acids, which protect against heart disease and lower triglycerides.

Recent studies by the researcher Dr. Kilmer McCully have found that a shortage of the B-Complex vitamins (B-12, B6, and folic acid, which are abundant in AFA) can result in a build up homocysteine, a compound that contributes to heart disease and cancer. The excess homocysteine prompts the body to protect the arteries by building up a lining of cholesterol.

A study at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Montreal as long ago as 1998 suggested that eating Blue-Green Algae for a period of three months can help reduce cholesterol. To back this up, another study conducted recently at the Massachusetts General Hospital revealed that feeding Blue-Green Algae to rodents significantly decreased blood cholesterol levels.

The same study also found that eating this particular algae triggered the migration of 40% of the circulating Natural Killer (NK) cells from blood to tissue within 2 hours of consumption.

NK cells play an important role in the immune system. They are mainly responsible for finding and removing so-called “sick cells” that have become corrupted either due to a viral infection or cancerous disfiguration.

Other substances, such as green tea, are also known to enhance the activity of NK cells but until the above mentioned discovery on Blue-Green Algae, no dietary substance was known to prompt NK cells into this natural “house-keeping” action of migrating into the tissues to seek out and destroy “sick cells.”

The wisdom of maintaining a diet that includes both Wild Blue-Green Algae and green tea, and this author’s reasons for recommending it, should now be evident.

The study by the Royal Victoria Hospital included 50 healthy participants and results suggested that Blue-Green Algae can also help stimulate the production of red blood cells, probably due to its high content of vitamin B12.

Another study, performed in collaboration with the University of New Mexico, suggests that eating Blue-Green Algae boosts the brain. It finding is supported by the many reports – including that of the author of this article! – of increased mental alertness and concentration that follow from regular consumption of this Algae.

Finally, recently released preliminary data from Boston University suggests that regularly eating Blue-Green Algae may reverse the symptoms of essential fatty acid deficiency, specifically that of omega-3.

Essential fatty acids cannot be made by the body and need to enter the body via what we eat. They play a crucial role in the proper working of the immune system and their deficiency has been associated with cardiovascular disease, depression, some cancers, arthritis and skin problems.

Therefore, before you consume their poisons and damage your mental and physical health still further, those of you undergoing persuasions from the psycho-pharmacy racket to consume psychiatric chemicals so as to “manage” your “mental illness” should recognize that right here we have nutritional remedies that are safer and of infinitely greater long term benefit to you as a complete organism.

“Chuck the drugs and eat your grub” is the motto – as just this second coined by yours truly. For brain function and mood – mental health – as well as purely physical health, nutrition is a safe, more workable and, as is becoming increasingly evident, vital therapy that renders much of the psycho-pharmacy obsolete.

All this newly released data explains the many impressive benefits reported by people eating Blue-Green Algae on a regular basis. Having attracted the attention or researchers, ongoing studies are being done so as to fully understand the effects on the human body of eating Blue-Green Algae.

We now know that it may increase red blood cell production, reduce cholesterol, boost brain function and resolve essential fatty acid deficiency, not to mention strengthening your immune system.

The day is coming when Blue-Green Algae, hopefully alongside green tea as the beverage of choice, will be a routine supplement, much as Vitamin C so rightly is today, for people who want to be drug free and mentally and physically healthy.

For more information about the miracle super food, wild blue-green algae, go to http://www.wellhealthy.org now and order my FREE e-book that will tell you everything you need to know.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kieron_Mcfadden

The Benefits of AFA Blue-Green Algae

The benefits of AFA blue-green algae do not focus on a certain organ. Instead, people who consume this supplement will feel that many aspects of their lives change significantly. In addition, it is very important to know that AFA blue-green algae does not bring only physical benefits. The mental activities will also be enhanced.

Aphanizomenon flos-aquae, the alga on which AFA blue-green algae is based, is very rich in chemical substances more commonly known as vitamins and minerals. All these substances affect the body and the mind in a benefic way. Vitamins C and E are natural antioxidants. Their main role is to delay the aging process. In addition, these two vitamins bring the bad cholesterol – which is also known as LDL or low density lipoprotein – levels within normal limits. When the cholesterol levels increase above limits, this substance turns into plaque and gets deposited on the lining of the arteries and of the other blood vessels. This way, the circulation of the blood tends to be performed with difficulty and the risk of stroke increases considerably. This kind of situations may be prevented successfully by using supplements such as AFA blue-green algae. Furthermore, vitamin C has been used effectively as a remedy for dandruff. The hair and nail growth are also affected by the presence of this vitamin. The immune system is also enhanced after consuming foods or supplements that contain vitamin C.

AFA blue-green algae is also rich in vitamins from the B complex. Vitamin B3, for example, also improves the circulation of the blood. However, in this situation, the results are better seen in the condition of the hair, skin and nails. Vitamin B1 represents a protein builder. It improves the shine, volume and texture of the hair. Also, this vitamin determines the circulation of the blood to be performed better. As a consequence of this fact, the scalp and the nails receive faster the nutritive substances they need. Vitamin B2 increases the amount of oxygen that gets to the eyes. This way, the eyesight improves and it becomes clearer and sharper. However, the eyes are not the only organs that benefit from this vitamin. Vitamin B5 also affects the hair and the nails, but in a different way. The strength of the nails is increased. Vitamin B5, along with folic acid, helps people to maintain their natural hair color.

This supplement also helps people to keep the blood-sugar levels within normal limits. In consequence, it may also be used in the prevention of diabetes, which is a very common and very dangerous disease. Because of the antioxidants that are found in its composition, this supplement is also considered an effective anti-aging product. The mental focus, concentration and the energy are enhanced. Furthermore, the endurance and the strength are increased above normal. All these benefits, and many others, make AFA blue-green algae a supplement that suits everybody, regardless of the age and of the health condition. This product may be used both in the prevention and in the treatment of certain conditions.

Alexander King is a passionate enthusiast of raw living superfood nutrition, longevity and peak performance promoting foods and products. More information about AFA blue-green algae may be found at his informational site [http://www.e3livereview.com]

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Alexander_King