If you keep up with healthy living type news at all, then you have heard about superfoods. Those are whole foods that are particularly dense in nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. On your list of superfoods, you may not have included AFA, Aphanizomenon flos-aquae, blue green algae, also known as organic Wild Microalgae® but count the many ways below why you should consider adding it.
- Adding Up Micronutrients
Your body needs the vitamins, minerals and trace minerals known as micronutrients for optimal health. Did you know there are almost thirty vitamins and minerals the body can’t product by itself? These essential micronutrients have to come from either food or supplement sources. AFA bluegreen algae has more than 70 micronutrients which includes more than 60 minerals and 13 different vitamins. It not only gives you minerals such as calcium, iron and sodium, but also the trace minerals you need like chloride, manganese, and chromium. - Preservation of Nutrients
You often can’t rely on supplements that have been processed into a capsule or powder to be an optimal source of nutrients. This is due to the heating process used that can affect the nutritional value in a negative way. The AFA from the company that I recommend preserves the nutritional value of their product through their methods of harvesting, cooling, processing, and drying. The entire process from harvest to fast freezing and storage all happen within a few hours. Part of this process that allows for the preservation of phytonutrients, vitamins, chlorophyll, and enzymes is the drying process occurring at below 40C. - Full of Amino Acids
Organic AFA bluegreen algae is one of the few foods that has all 20 of amino acids we need for the body to have usable proteins for energy, muscle building, keep organs healthy, feed skin, hair, and bones, aid the body in repairing and regenerating, and forming antibodies, and maintaining other vital body functions. - Antioxidant Power
Several research studies have shown AFA to be an excellent source of antioxidants that protect the body from damage by free radicals. Microalgae contains a rainbow of antioxidant pigments including cholorophyll that provides the green color and has been found to stimulate liver function and excretion of bile, strengthen immunity, and detoxify chemical pollutants. Studies indicate that chlorophyll has anti-carcinogenic and anti-mutagenic properties as well as antioxidant effects that combat damage from carcinogens. Phycocyanin, the blue pigment in blue green algae, provides antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects and is particularly effective working with chlorophyll. Phenylethylamine, or PEA, comes from the deep blue pigment in algae and has been shown to elevate the mood, decrease appetite, act as a natural mental energy activator and help biomodulate emotions and mood swings. Bluegreen algae is reported to have a wider variety of antioxidant pigments and carotenoids than most other plant based foods and more than just green algae. In addition to Phycocyanin and Chlorophyll, this wild organic microalgae also contains the antioxidants Beta-carotene, Superoxide dismutase (SOD) that helps in neutralizing superoxide free radicals and protects our DNA from damage they can cause, and Glutathione, important for many metabolic functions, including iron metabolism, the synthesis and repair of DNA and proteins, and enzyme function. - Full of Essential Fatty Acids
Our body’s need certain types of fats for optimal health. Essential fatty acids the body needs cannot be produced by the body and must be obtained from food sources. AFA is rich in EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid), DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), and ALA (alpha-lipoic acid) omega-3 fatty acids, none of which our bodies can make on their own and must be obtained from foods or supplements. We also omega-6 fatty acids but it is important to have the right ration of omega-3 to omega-6. We need twice as many omega-3 fatty acids as omega-6 fatty acids and AFA has just the right balance and ratio our body’s need. - Mood Boosting
One of the benefits of this microalgae supplement is that it contains a compound known as phenylethylamine (PEA), which comes from the amino acid phenylalanine and that comes from the deep blue pigment in the algae, and has been shown to elevate mood, decrease appetite, act as a natural mental energy activator and help biomodulate emotions and mood swings.
There you have it…. 6 specific reasons to include AFA bluegreen algae as one of the superfoods to add into your dietary plan. It is one of the most nutrient dense foods on the planet loaded with essential fatty acids, phytonutrients, proteins, complex sugars, vitamins, minerals, enzymes, micronutrients, and essential amino acids. In our fast paced world with often less than optimal food sources available, this superfood can help you fill in the nutritional gaps you may be missing from your diet.
Sources:
https://blog.newearth.com/7-reasons-you-should-add-afa-to-your-daily-diet-regimen/
https://globalhealing.com/natural-health/benefits-of-blue-green-algae/
https://www.mensanswer.com/articles/nutrition/best-blue-green-algae-supplements/
Bruno, PhD, Jeffrey, Eat Light to Feel Bright