sorry wrong board

GRANDPA:I read all the information available on the site, and all the summaries of the references they selected for discussion. Rather than go into an extensive discussion, let me comment on the "good and not so good".There are a lot of references which are unrelated to the claims, at least as regards humans. There are references to animal studies which suggest that Blue Green algae may be a good source of omega-3 fatty acids if a person is suffering a deficiency in omega-3 fatty acids, but it is an animal study and the disclaimer states itself it has yet to be duplicated in humans. Now if it is duplicable, this would be fair to say, as omega-3 fatty acids have been shown, under certain conditions, to have the effect of immunomodulation. This ius a double-edged sword. But agin this is a reach.There is also a description of a retrospective on 200+ patients with several different primary diagnosis wherein the review suggested that subjectively there was some benefit shown by some patients among the 200 charts reviewed, but no quantification of that benefit is provided, nor in which of the 5-6 conditions they looked at retrospectively. This usually means the numbers are not very significant, otherwse a sales-driven organization would definitely tout them. Further the conclusion is qualified in the form of a disclaimer that says that the results do not indicate that any of these patients should take BGA for their condition, just some undefined people appeared to receive some unquantified effects. This is not compelling.Also, the 1998 citation about migration of NK cells first does not describe patient selection or methods very precisely, but more to the point is that you and they seem to be attempting to claim that something which causes "migration of 40% of the NK cells" has some benefit to anyone. And your post suggests this is somehow of benefit in IBS symptom sets.In the most simple terms possible extravasation of NK cells is part of a normal response to pathogens and is supposed to occur at the site of insult. I do not know how they assessed "migration" I must assume it was general extravasation. Extravasating NK cells where they are not needed is of no benefit, and quite possibley, based upon the emerging etiology of at least the 70% of IBS patients who suffer the d-predominant and cyclic symptom sets, could be detrimental. What would be interesting would be if it did this, say, in an immunocompromised subject, or enhanced extrvasation at a site of insult where there would be clear benefit to a "host" in quelling a pathogen.In fact, extravasation can be very undesireable. Recent in VIVO work in Sweden has shown that part of the aberrant immune response which creates the symptoms associated with d-predominant anc cyclic IBS can be attributed to accumulation of unstable lymphocytes within the myenteric plexus, which are provoked to release proinflammatory mediators at the root ganglia with the small bowel wall. This is a bad thing.I would suggest that to presume that some extrvasation of NK cells constitutes strengthening the immune system is what is called in sales parlance "puffery". And in patients, such as IBS patients, with labile immunocytes (including all subclasses from mast cells, lymphocytes, granulocytes and platelets)which are easily provoked into aberrant release of mediators I do not think we wnat to be extravasating MORE of them.But I see the reference list is only current to March 2000 so it is natural that this particular phenomenon, described over the past year or two based on in vivo jejunal isolations studies, has not been considered.Now if they could show that the long chain fatty acids in BGA possessed immunomodulating effects in conditions like IBS where immunomoduulation can have some benefit, THAT would be something worth puffing about. ___________________________This is the list of references on BGA for, in Grandpapops words:"...anyone who has enough interest to look them up and read them. " ___________________________Scientific References Describing Various Properties of Blue-Green Algae or Nutrients Found in Blue-Green Algae --------------------------------------------------Albrecht, W.A. (1947) Our teeth and our soil, Ann. Dentist., December.Ames, B.N. (1983) Dietary carcinogens and anticarcinogens. 221:1256-1264.Anari, M.R., Khan, S., and O'Brien, P.J. (1996) The involvement of cytochrome P450 peroxidase in the metabolic bioactivation of cumene hydroperoxide by isolated rat hepatocytes. Chem Res Toxicol 9:924-931.Anderson K.E. and Kappas A. (1991) Dietary regulation of cytochrome P450. Ann. Rev. Nutr. 11: 141-146.Batieha, A.M. et al. (1993) Serum micronutrients and the subsequent risk of cervical cancer in a population-based nested case-control study. Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention 2: 335-339.Bear, F.E. (1984) The Firman report (1948), Rutgers University.Beisel W.R., Nutrition and immune function: Overview, J. Nutr., 126:2611S-2615S, 1996.Bendich, A. (1989) Carotenoids and the immune response. J. Nutrition 119: 112-115.Bland, J. (1995) Food and nutrient effects on detoxification. Townsend letter (December): 40-44.Borowitzka, M.A. (1988) Vitamins and fine chemicals from micro-algae. In: Micro-algal biotechnology, Borowitzke M.A. and Borowitzka J.L., 153-196, Cambridge Press.Cannell, R.J.P. (1990) Algal biotechnology. Appl Biochem & Biotech :85-105.Chao et al., (1971). Purification and properties of glycogen isolated from a blue-green algae, Nostoc muscorum. J. Bacteriol., 105: 331-338.Commandeur, J.N.M. and Vermeulen, N.P.E. (1996) Cytotoxicity and cytoprotective activities of natural compounds. The case of curcumin. Xenobiotica 26(7):667-680.Conquer, J.A. and B.J Holub (1995) Effects of supplementation with an algae source of docosahexaenoic acid on risk factors for heart disease in vegetarians. Abstract of the 64th Congress of the European Atherosclerosis Society, Utrecht, Netherlands, June 10-13.Darnall, D.W. (1991) Removal and recovery of heavy metal ions from wastewaters using a new biosorbent; AlgaSORB. Innovative Hazard. Waste Treat. Technol. Ser. 3:65-72.DeWille et al. (1979) Effects of essential fatty acid deficiency, and various levels of dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids, on humoral immunity in mice. J. Nutr. 109(6): 1018-1027.Ebeling, W. (1981) The relation of soil quality to the nutritional value of plant crops, J. Appl. Nutr., 33(1): 24-34.Fuhr, U., Klittich, K., Staib, A.H. (1993) Inhibitory effect of grapefruit juice and its bitter principal, naringenin, on CYP1A2 dependent metabolism of caffeine in man. Br. J. Clin. Pharmac. 35: 431-436.Gahan, E., Kline, P.R. and Finkle, T.H. (1943) Chlorophyll in the treatment of ulcers. Arch. of Dermatology and Syphilology, 49:848-851.Garewal, H.S. et al. (1995) Emerging role of beta-carotene and antioxidant nutrients in prevention of oral cancer. Arch. Otolaryng. 121(2): 141-144.Goldberg, S.L. (1943) The use of water soluble chlorophyll in oral sepsis. Am. J. of Surg., (October): 117-123.Gruskin, B. (1940) Chlorophyll, its therapeutic place in acute and suppurative disease. Am. J. Surg., 49: 49-55.Gustafson, K.R. et al. (1989) Aids-antiviral sulfolipids from cyanobacteria (blue green algae). J Natl Cancer Inst., 81(16):1-4.Hansen, R.P. (1980) Phytol: its metabolic products and their distribution. A review. New Zealand Journal of Science, 23:259-73.Hibbeln, J.R. and Salem, N.J. (1995) Dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids and depression: when cholesterol does not satisfy. Am J Clin Nutr. 62:1-9.Hoppe, H.A. (1979) Marine algae and their products and constituents in pharmacy, In: Marine Algae in Pharmaceutical Science, Hoppe, H.A., Levring, T., and Tanaka, Y., eds., Walter de Gruyter; Berlin, New York, pp.25-120.Hughes, J.H. and Latner, A.L. (1936) Chlorophyll and hemoglobin regeneration after hemorrhage. J. Physiol., 86: 388.Ikins, W.G. Toxins formed as the result of cooking or processing of food. J. Nutr. :435-448, 1995.Immerman, A. (1979) Evidence for intestinal toxemia,an inescapable clinical phenomenon. ACA J. Chiropractic 13:25-36.Jensen, G et al. (2000) Consumption of Aphanizomenon flos-aquae Has Rapid Effects on the Circulation and Function of Immune Cells in Humans. Journal of the American Nutraceutical Association 2(3):50-58 Kopteva, Zh. P. (1970) Biosynthesis of thiamine, riboflavin, and vitamin B12 by some blue-green algae. Mikrobiol. Zh. 32: 429-433.Kopteva, Zh. P. (1970) Biosynthesis of biotin, pyridoxine, nicotinic and pantothenic acids by some blue-green algae. Mikrobiol. Zh. 32: 555-560.Kozlenko, R. and Henson, R.H. (1996) The study of Spirulina, effects on the AIDS virus, cancer and the immune system. Healthy & Natural J. 3(5):66-67.Kremer, J.M., Lawrence, D.A., and Jubiz, W. (1989) Different doses of fish-oil fatty acid ingestion in active rheumatoid arthritis: a prospective study of clinical and immunological parameters. In: Dietary -3 and -6 Fatty Acids: Biological Effects and Nutritional Essentiality, Galli, C. and Simopoulos, A.P., eds., Plenum Publishing, New York, p. 343-350.Kromhout, D. (1989) Fish (oil) consumption and coronary heart disease. In: Dietary -3 and -6 Fatty Acids: Biological Effects and Nutritional Essentiality, Galli, C. and Simopoulos, A.P., eds., Plenum Publishing, New York, p. 273-282.Kushak, R. et al. (2000) Favorable Effects of Blue-Green Algae Aphanizomenon flos-aquae on Rat Plasma Lipids. Journal of the American Nutraceutical Association 2(3):59-65 Lahitova, N. et al. (1994) Antimutagenic properties of fresh-water blue-green algae. Folia Microbiol 39(4):301-303.Le Marchand, L. et al. (1993) Intake of specific carotenoids and lung cancer risk. Cancer Epidemiology 2:183-187.Lukaczer, D. The importance of detoxification. What controls our ability to detoxify? Can it be supported or even enhanced? NFM's Nutr Sci News (October):52-55, 1996.Manoukin, R. et al. (1998) Effects of the blue-green algae Aphanizomenon flos-aquae (L.) Ralphs (AFA) on human natural killer cells. In Phytoceuticals: Examining the health benefits and pharmaceutical properties of natural antioxidants and phytochemicals. Matsui, K., Shibutani, M., Hase, T., and Kajiwara, T. (1996) Bell pepper fruit fatty acid hydroperoxide lyase is a cytochrome P450. FEBS Letters, 394:21-24.Michanek, G. (1979) Seaweed resources for pharmaceutical uses, In: Marine Algae in Pharmaceutical Science, Hoppe, H.A., Levring, T., and Tanaka, Y., eds., Walter de Gruyter; Berlin, New York, pp.203-235.Misra, A. and Sihna, R. (1979) Algae as drug plants in India, In: Marine Algae in Pharmaceutical Science, Hoppe, H.A., Levring, T., and Tanaka, Y., eds., Walter de Gruyter; Berlin, New York, pp.237-242.Morris, D.L. et al. (1994) Serum carotenoids and coronary heart disease. The Lipid Research Clinics Coronary Primary Prevention Trial and Follow-up Study. JAMA 272: 1439-1441.Pinto, J.T. (1991) The pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic interactions of food and drugs. Top. Clin. Nutr. 6(3): 14-33.Pore, R.S. (1984) Detoxification of chlordecone poisoned rats with chlorella and chlorella derived sporopollenin. Drug and Chem Toxicol 7(1):57-71.Reigh, G. et al. (1996) Cytochrome P450 species involved in the metabolism of quinoline. Carcinogenesis 17(9): 1989-1996.Renaud, S. et al. (1989) Influence of long-term diet modification on platelet function and composition in Moselle farmers. Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 43:136-150.Sano, M.E. and Smith, L.W. (1942) The effect of lowered temperatures upon the growth of the fibroblast in vitro: its application to wound healing. J. Lab. & Clin. Med., 27: 460-464.Scholz, R.W. et al. (1996) Inhibition of rat liver microsomal NADPH cytochrome P450 reductase by glutathione and glutathione disulfide. Biochem and Biophys Res Comm, 226:475-480.Schwartz, J. et al. (1988) Prevention of experimental oral cancer by extracts of Spirulina-Dunaliella algae. Nutr Cancer, 11:127-134.Schwartz, J. and Shklar, G. (1987) Regression of experimental hamster cancer by beta carotene and algae extracts. J Oral Maxillofac Surg, 45:510-515.Schwartz, J.L., Sloane, D., and Shklar, G. (1989) Prevention and inhibition of oral cancer in the hamster buccal pouch model associated with carotenoid immune enhancement. Tumor Biol, 10:297-309.Shklar, G. and Schwartz, J. 1988 Tumor necrosis factor in experimental cancer regression with alpha-tocopherol, beta-carotene, canthaxanthin and algae extract. Eur J Cancer Clin Oncol, 244(5):839-850.Simonsen, J.L. and Barton, D.H.R. (1952) Sesquiterpenes, diterpenes and their derivatives. In: The Terpenes, 3:345-54, Cambridge Press.Simopoulos, A.P. (1989) Summary of the NATO advanced research workshop on dietary -3 and -6 fatty acids: biological effects and nutritional essentiality. Am Inst Nutr :521-527.Simopoulos, A.P. (1991) Omega-3 fatty acids in health and disease and in growth and development. Am J Clin Nutr, 54:438-463.Smith, C.D. and Zhang, X. (1996) Mechanism of action of cryptophycin. J Biological Chem, 271(11):6192-6198.Soudamini, K.K. and Kuttan, R. (1989) Inhibition of chemical carcinogenesis by curcumin. J of Ethnopharmacology, 27:227-233.Spielmann, D. et al. (1989) Biochemical and bioclinical aspects of blackcurrant seed oil: 3- 6 balanced oil. In: Dietary -3 and -6 Fatty Acids: Biological Effects and Nutritional Essentiality, Galli, C. and Simopoulos, A.P., eds., Plenum Publishing, New York, p. 309-322.Stevens, L.J. et al.(1995) Essential fatty acid metabolism in boys with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. Am J Clin Nutr, 62:761-768.Swift, L.L. et al. (1990) Medium-chain fatty acids: evidence for incorporation into chylomicron triglycerides in humans. Am. J. Clin. Nutr., 52: 834-836.Trease, G.E. (1936) Textbook of Pharmacognosy, Belliere, Tindall & Cox, London, p.143.Volesky, B. (1990) Removal and recovery of heavy metals by biosorption. In: Biosorption of Heavy Metals, CRC Press, p. 7-44.Wattenberg, L.W. (1982) Inhibition of chemical carcinogens by minor dietary components. In: Arnott, M.S., van Eys, J. and Wang, Y.M., eds. Molecular Interrelations of Nutrition and Cancer, New York, Raven Press, p.43-46.Wettern, M. and Weber, A. (1979) Some remarks on algal carotenoids and their interconversion into animal carotenoids. In: Marine Algae in Pharmaceutical Science, Hoppe, H.A., Levring, T., and Tanaka, Y., eds., Walter de Gruyter; Berlin, New York, 1979, pp.551-568.Whistance, G.R. et al. (1970) Biosynthesis of phytoquinones. Homogentisic acid, a precursor of plastoquinones, tocopherols and alpha-tocopherolquinones in higher plants, green algae, and blue-green algae. Biochem. J. 117: 593-600.Wood, D.A. et al. (1987) Linoleic and eicosapentaenoic acids in adipose tissue and platelets and risk of coronary heart disease. The Lancet (Jan 24):177-183.Wright, S. and Burton, J.L. (1982) Oral evening-primrose-seed oil improves atopic eczema. Lancet (Sept. 20):1120-1122.Last revised 3-1-00 __________________________ "Everything I stated in that posting can be backed by studies conducted by doctors and other professionals" ___________________________I would recommend skipping the minne-strengthening claims, esp. to patients whose immunocytes are unstable as part of thier condition.There do appear to be some potential benefits which are more compelling in some of the other material presented on your companies website, so I am not knocking your product, only suggesting that this claim be reigned in until it is supportable.MNL

GRANDPA:I read all the information available on the site, and all the summaries of the references they selected for discussion. Rather than go into an extensive discussion, let me comment on the "good and not so good".There are a lot of references which are unrelated to the claims, at least as regards humans. There are references to animal studies which suggest that Blue Green algae may be a good source of omega-3 fatty acids if a person is suffering a deficiency in omega-3 fatty acids, but it is an animal study and the disclaimer states itself it has yet to be duplicated in humans. Now if it is duplicable, this would be fair to say, as omega-3 fatty acids have been shown, under certain conditions, to have the effect of immunomodulation. This ius a double-edged sword. But agin this is a reach.There is also a description of a retrospective on 200+ patients with several different primary diagnosis wherein the review suggested that subjectively there was some benefit shown by some patients among the 200 charts reviewed, but no quantification of that benefit is provided, nor in which of the 5-6 conditions they looked at retrospectively. This usually means the numbers are not very significant, otherwse a sales-driven organization would definitely tout them. Further the conclusion is qualified in the form of a disclaimer that says that the results do not indicate that any of these patients should take BGA for their condition, just some undefined people appeared to receive some unquantified effects. This is not compelling.Also, the 1998 citation about migration of NK cells first does not describe patient selection or methods very precisely, but more to the point is that you and they seem to be attempting to claim that something which causes "migration of 40% of the NK cells" has some benefit to anyone. And your post suggests this is somehow of benefit in IBS symptom sets.In the most simple terms possible extravasation of NK cells is part of a normal response to pathogens and is supposed to occur at the site of insult. I do not know how they assessed "migration" I must assume it was general extravasation. Extravasating NK cells where they are not needed is of no benefit, and quite possibley, based upon the emerging etiology of at least the 70% of IBS patients who suffer the d-predominant and cyclic symptom sets, could be detrimental. What would be interesting would be if it did this, say, in an immunocompromised subject, or enhanced extrvasation at a site of insult where there would be clear benefit to a "host" in quelling a pathogen.In fact, extravasation can be very undesireable. Recent in VIVO work in Sweden has shown that part of the aberrant immune response which creates the symptoms associated with d-predominant anc cyclic IBS can be attributed to accumulation of unstable lymphocytes within the myenteric plexus, which are provoked to release proinflammatory mediators at the root ganglia with the small bowel wall. This is a bad thing.I would suggest that to presume that some extrvasation of NK cells constitutes strengthening the immune system is what is called in sales parlance "puffery". And in patients, such as IBS patients, with labile immunocytes (including all subclasses from mast cells, lymphocytes, granulocytes and platelets)which are easily provoked into aberrant release of mediators I do not think we wnat to be extravasating MORE of them.But I see the reference list is only current to March 2000 so it is natural that this particular phenomenon, described over the past year or two based on in vivo jejunal isolations studies, has not been considered.Now if they could show that the long chain fatty acids in BGA possessed immunomodulating effects in conditions like IBS where immunomoduulation can have some benefit, THAT would be something worth puffing about. ___________________________This is the list of references on BGA for, in Grandpapops words:"...anyone who has enough interest to look them up and read them. " ___________________________Scientific References Describing Various Properties of Blue-Green Algae or Nutrients Found in Blue-Green Algae --------------------------------------------------Albrecht, W.A. (1947) Our teeth and our soil, Ann. Dentist., December.Ames, B.N. (1983) Dietary carcinogens and anticarcinogens. 221:1256-1264.Anari, M.R., Khan, S., and O'Brien, P.J. (1996) The involvement of cytochrome P450 peroxidase in the metabolic bioactivation of cumene hydroperoxide by isolated rat hepatocytes. Chem Res Toxicol 9:924-931.Anderson K.E. and Kappas A. (1991) Dietary regulation of cytochrome P450. Ann. Rev. Nutr. 11: 141-146.Batieha, A.M. et al. (1993) Serum micronutrients and the subsequent risk of cervical cancer in a population-based nested case-control study. Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention 2: 335-339.Bear, F.E. (1984) The Firman report (1948), Rutgers University.Beisel W.R., Nutrition and immune function: Overview, J. Nutr., 126:2611S-2615S, 1996.Bendich, A. (1989) Carotenoids and the immune response. J. Nutrition 119: 112-115.Bland, J. (1995) Food and nutrient effects on detoxification. Townsend letter (December): 40-44.Borowitzka, M.A. (1988) Vitamins and fine chemicals from micro-algae. In: Micro-algal biotechnology, Borowitzke M.A. and Borowitzka J.L., 153-196, Cambridge Press.Cannell, R.J.P. (1990) Algal biotechnology. Appl Biochem & Biotech :85-105.Chao et al., (1971). Purification and properties of glycogen isolated from a blue-green algae, Nostoc muscorum. J. Bacteriol., 105: 331-338.Commandeur, J.N.M. and Vermeulen, N.P.E. (1996) Cytotoxicity and cytoprotective activities of natural compounds. The case of curcumin. Xenobiotica 26(7):667-680.Conquer, J.A. and B.J Holub (1995) Effects of supplementation with an algae source of docosahexaenoic acid on risk factors for heart disease in vegetarians. Abstract of the 64th Congress of the European Atherosclerosis Society, Utrecht, Netherlands, June 10-13.Darnall, D.W. (1991) Removal and recovery of heavy metal ions from wastewaters using a new biosorbent; AlgaSORB. Innovative Hazard. Waste Treat. Technol. Ser. 3:65-72.DeWille et al. (1979) Effects of essential fatty acid deficiency, and various levels of dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids, on humoral immunity in mice. J. Nutr. 109(6): 1018-1027.Ebeling, W. (1981) The relation of soil quality to the nutritional value of plant crops, J. Appl. Nutr., 33(1): 24-34.Fuhr, U., Klittich, K., Staib, A.H. (1993) Inhibitory effect of grapefruit juice and its bitter principal, naringenin, on CYP1A2 dependent metabolism of caffeine in man. Br. J. Clin. Pharmac. 35: 431-436.Gahan, E., Kline, P.R. and Finkle, T.H. (1943) Chlorophyll in the treatment of ulcers. Arch. of Dermatology and Syphilology, 49:848-851.Garewal, H.S. et al. (1995) Emerging role of beta-carotene and antioxidant nutrients in prevention of oral cancer. Arch. Otolaryng. 121(2): 141-144.Goldberg, S.L. (1943) The use of water soluble chlorophyll in oral sepsis. Am. J. of Surg., (October): 117-123.Gruskin, B. (1940) Chlorophyll, its therapeutic place in acute and suppurative disease. Am. J. Surg., 49: 49-55.Gustafson, K.R. et al. (1989) Aids-antiviral sulfolipids from cyanobacteria (blue green algae). J Natl Cancer Inst., 81(16):1-4.Hansen, R.P. (1980) Phytol: its metabolic products and their distribution. A review. New Zealand Journal of Science, 23:259-73.Hibbeln, J.R. and Salem, N.J. (1995) Dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids and depression: when cholesterol does not satisfy. Am J Clin Nutr. 62:1-9.Hoppe, H.A. (1979) Marine algae and their products and constituents in pharmacy, In: Marine Algae in Pharmaceutical Science, Hoppe, H.A., Levring, T., and Tanaka, Y., eds., Walter de Gruyter; Berlin, New York, pp.25-120.Hughes, J.H. and Latner, A.L. (1936) Chlorophyll and hemoglobin regeneration after hemorrhage. J. Physiol., 86: 388.Ikins, W.G. Toxins formed as the result of cooking or processing of food. J. Nutr. :435-448, 1995.Immerman, A. (1979) Evidence for intestinal toxemia,an inescapable clinical phenomenon. ACA J. Chiropractic 13:25-36.Jensen, G et al. (2000) Consumption of Aphanizomenon flos-aquae Has Rapid Effects on the Circulation and Function of Immune Cells in Humans. Journal of the American Nutraceutical Association 2(3):50-58 Kopteva, Zh. P. (1970) Biosynthesis of thiamine, riboflavin, and vitamin B12 by some blue-green algae. Mikrobiol. Zh. 32: 429-433.Kopteva, Zh. P. (1970) Biosynthesis of biotin, pyridoxine, nicotinic and pantothenic acids by some blue-green algae. Mikrobiol. Zh. 32: 555-560.Kozlenko, R. and Henson, R.H. (1996) The study of Spirulina, effects on the AIDS virus, cancer and the immune system. Healthy & Natural J. 3(5):66-67.Kremer, J.M., Lawrence, D.A., and Jubiz, W. (1989) Different doses of fish-oil fatty acid ingestion in active rheumatoid arthritis: a prospective study of clinical and immunological parameters. In: Dietary -3 and -6 Fatty Acids: Biological Effects and Nutritional Essentiality, Galli, C. and Simopoulos, A.P., eds., Plenum Publishing, New York, p. 343-350.Kromhout, D. (1989) Fish (oil) consumption and coronary heart disease. In: Dietary -3 and -6 Fatty Acids: Biological Effects and Nutritional Essentiality, Galli, C. and Simopoulos, A.P., eds., Plenum Publishing, New York, p. 273-282.Kushak, R. et al. (2000) Favorable Effects of Blue-Green Algae Aphanizomenon flos-aquae on Rat Plasma Lipids. Journal of the American Nutraceutical Association 2(3):59-65 Lahitova, N. et al. (1994) Antimutagenic properties of fresh-water blue-green algae. Folia Microbiol 39(4):301-303.Le Marchand, L. et al. (1993) Intake of specific carotenoids and lung cancer risk. Cancer Epidemiology 2:183-187.Lukaczer, D. The importance of detoxification. What controls our ability to detoxify? Can it be supported or even enhanced? NFM's Nutr Sci News (October):52-55, 1996.Manoukin, R. et al. (1998) Effects of the blue-green algae Aphanizomenon flos-aquae (L.) Ralphs (AFA) on human natural killer cells. In Phytoceuticals: Examining the health benefits and pharmaceutical properties of natural antioxidants and phytochemicals. Matsui, K., Shibutani, M., Hase, T., and Kajiwara, T. (1996) Bell pepper fruit fatty acid hydroperoxide lyase is a cytochrome P450. FEBS Letters, 394:21-24.Michanek, G. (1979) Seaweed resources for pharmaceutical uses, In: Marine Algae in Pharmaceutical Science, Hoppe, H.A., Levring, T., and Tanaka, Y., eds., Walter de Gruyter; Berlin, New York, pp.203-235.Misra, A. and Sihna, R. (1979) Algae as drug plants in India, In: Marine Algae in Pharmaceutical Science, Hoppe, H.A., Levring, T., and Tanaka, Y., eds., Walter de Gruyter; Berlin, New York, pp.237-242.Morris, D.L. et al. (1994) Serum carotenoids and coronary heart disease. The Lipid Research Clinics Coronary Primary Prevention Trial and Follow-up Study. JAMA 272: 1439-1441.Pinto, J.T. (1991) The pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic interactions of food and drugs. Top. Clin. Nutr. 6(3): 14-33.Pore, R.S. (1984) Detoxification of chlordecone poisoned rats with chlorella and chlorella derived sporopollenin. Drug and Chem Toxicol 7(1):57-71.Reigh, G. et al. (1996) Cytochrome P450 species involved in the metabolism of quinoline. Carcinogenesis 17(9): 1989-1996.Renaud, S. et al. (1989) Influence of long-term diet modification on platelet function and composition in Moselle farmers. Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 43:136-150.Sano, M.E. and Smith, L.W. (1942) The effect of lowered temperatures upon the growth of the fibroblast in vitro: its application to wound healing. J. Lab. & Clin. Med., 27: 460-464.Scholz, R.W. et al. (1996) Inhibition of rat liver microsomal NADPH cytochrome P450 reductase by glutathione and glutathione disulfide. Biochem and Biophys Res Comm, 226:475-480.Schwartz, J. et al. (1988) Prevention of experimental oral cancer by extracts of Spirulina-Dunaliella algae. Nutr Cancer, 11:127-134.Schwartz, J. and Shklar, G. (1987) Regression of experimental hamster cancer by beta carotene and algae extracts. J Oral Maxillofac Surg, 45:510-515.Schwartz, J.L., Sloane, D., and Shklar, G. (1989) Prevention and inhibition of oral cancer in the hamster buccal pouch model associated with carotenoid immune enhancement. Tumor Biol, 10:297-309.Shklar, G. and Schwartz, J. 1988 Tumor necrosis factor in experimental cancer regression with alpha-tocopherol, beta-carotene, canthaxanthin and algae extract. Eur J Cancer Clin Oncol, 244(5):839-850.Simonsen, J.L. and Barton, D.H.R. (1952) Sesquiterpenes, diterpenes and their derivatives. In: The Terpenes, 3:345-54, Cambridge Press.Simopoulos, A.P. (1989) Summary of the NATO advanced research workshop on dietary -3 and -6 fatty acids: biological effects and nutritional essentiality. Am Inst Nutr :521-527.Simopoulos, A.P. (1991) Omega-3 fatty acids in health and disease and in growth and development. Am J Clin Nutr, 54:438-463.Smith, C.D. and Zhang, X. (1996) Mechanism of action of cryptophycin. J Biological Chem, 271(11):6192-6198.Soudamini, K.K. and Kuttan, R. (1989) Inhibition of chemical carcinogenesis by curcumin. J of Ethnopharmacology, 27:227-233.Spielmann, D. et al. (1989) Biochemical and bioclinical aspects of blackcurrant seed oil: 3- 6 balanced oil. In: Dietary -3 and -6 Fatty Acids: Biological Effects and Nutritional Essentiality, Galli, C. and Simopoulos, A.P., eds., Plenum Publishing, New York, p. 309-322.Stevens, L.J. et al.(1995) Essential fatty acid metabolism in boys with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. Am J Clin Nutr, 62:761-768.Swift, L.L. et al. 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Lancet (Sept. 20):1120-1122.Last revised 3-1-00 __________________________ "Everything I stated in that posting can be backed by studies conducted by doctors and other professionals" ___________________________I would recommend skipping the minne-strengthening claims, esp. to patients whose immunocytes are unstable as part of thier condition.There do appear to be some potential benefits which are more compelling in some of the other material presented on your companies website, so I am not knocking your product, only suggesting that this claim be reigned in until it is supportable.MNL