More on Toxic Algae

[Note: This is the conclusion to Roger Lewis' article on algae; too long to post but a search of AltaVista with "algae" and "Roger Lewis" should produce that article. I have been reading on the internet since the Health Canada warning re: blue green algae given to children for ADHD. There simply isn't enough evidence IMHO to assure safety.]

Algae products sold for consumer consumption are a serious yet often unaddressed health concern. Many species of algae are so deadly that their contamination of foodstuffs such as mussells, shrimp, other fish, and even cattle, present a danger to the public which eats the poisoned fish or animal. Despite the fact that Spirulina, Chlorella, and Dunaliella are seemingly safe, more testing is needed for assurance of public safety, especially with respect to cancer, H.I.V. and autoimmune diseases. Most importantly, the blue-green algae known as Aphanizomenon, especially when collected from so-called "natural" settings, requires a higher standard of safety control involving multiple tests for various toxins which unfortunately may still prove futile in delivering complete safety.

The lack of documented cases of toxicity in humans, despite the widespread use of many types of algae supplements, indicates the toxicity is low, but the long term effects associated with accumulated hepatocyte damage indicate potential mechanisms of low level toxicity which would not be immediately apparent. Also,
even if an epidemic of hepatocyte damage were to occur among consumers of algae supplements, it is doubtful that an immediate correlation would be made by the medical profession, i.e. there are many more common contributors to hepatocyte damage. While this research is unsettling, it is vital to clarify these issues. Many
patients with "environmental allergies" consume algae, and liver dysfunction is a major factor in precipitating such diseases.

Algae consumption should be routinely considered by alternative practitioners as a possible factor in cases with slow progression, eg. a patient with liver dysfunction taking algae should be encouraged to discontinue for several months, during which period the liver dysfunction may indeed improve. It is doubtful that algae products cause disease, per se, and it is rather well documented that they are useful therapeutic agents
with relatively low toxicity. Still, the evidence of potential danger is overwhelming.

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More on Toxic Algae

Thersa Sharp

2005-05-27