Blue-green algae are one of the most nutrient-rich foods that exist on the planet. The most consumed forms of blue-green algae are two types: Spirulina and AFA algae. Both have superfood status due to their high concentrations of nutrients. Blue-green algae contain a high concentration of nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, enzymes, and essential amino acids. They are also rich in biologically active chlorophyll, protein, and phytonutrients. Additionally, the impressive nutritional content of algae is easily absorbed by the body. It is an excellent food for vegans, vegetarians, those who exercise a lot, children—yes, anyone who wants to add extra nutrition and color to their diet. It suits all different types of dietary approaches such as paleo, keto, lchf, raw food, anti-inflammatory diet, rainbow diet, etc.
Our three favorites
1. Hawaiian Spirulina
The Hawaiian spirulina from Nutrex contains Spirulina Pacifica which is rich in protein, vitamins such as A, K1, K2, B12, minerals and trace elements, phytonutrients such as carotenoids (including beta-carotene), GLA, SOD and phycocyanin, chlorophyll, and antioxidants. Their Spirulina Pacifica is cultivated in freshwater ponds on the Kona coast of the Big Island of Hawaii. The freshwater comes from aquifers (water naturally filtered through lava rock) and they add approximately 5% deep ocean water (from 600 meters depth) to obtain unique trace elements in the final product. Clean water produces a clean end product, and you can taste the difference. Nutrex Hawaii's Ocean Chill Drying™ method dries the spirulina in just 3-7 seconds and eliminates oxidation and damage to carotenoids, enzymes, and other nutrients. The method uses very cold, deep ocean water to provide moisture and uses less than one percent oxygen to preserve the phytonutrients.
2. Biosuperfood
Biosuperfood contains 4 types of microalgae: Spirulina Pacifica, Spirulina Plantensis, Dunaliella, and Astaxanthin from Heomatoccoccus Pluvialis. Astaxanthin is a unique pigment considered one of the most biologically active antioxidants. Dunaliella Salina is a single-cell saltwater algae that is particularly rich in beta-carotene among other nutrients. Biosuperfood provides complete protein, including all essential amino acids, vitamins A, B, C, E, K, minerals and trace elements, enzymes, essential fatty acids, chlorophyll, phytonutrients, antioxidants, and carotenoids.These algae have been selected from among thousands of ingredients that Dr. Kiriac* tested during many years of research with the goal of finding a combination that could contribute to health for everyone.
*BioNutrition, which manufactures Biosuperfood, was founded by Dr. Michael Kiriac after extensive research on algae and their nutritional and healing properties. Dr. Kiriac is one of the world's leading authorities on algae nutrition and has received many international awards and medals for his research and findings in algae nutrition and ecology.Biosuperfood algae are cultivated in Siberia under controlled conditions in glass tubes completely protected from the atmosphere. There they pump up spring water from 600 meters deep in volcanic soils containing 92 different trace elements, including selenium and bicarbonate, at an ideal temperature of 35-37 degrees, directly into the bioreactors without contact with air. The ideal environment for algae growth is therefore completely controlled and contains absolutely no environmental toxins. The algae are grown without fertilizers, pesticides, antibiotics, growth hormones, or additives of any kind. Despite this careful control, each batch is also tested for bacteria, pesticides, heavy metals, including radiation and other environmental toxins.
3. E3AFA algae
E3Live produces a unique blue-green algae – AFA algae (Aphanizomenon flos-aquae) that provides a full spectrum of 65 easily accessible vitamins, minerals, trace elements, and amino acids, and has more biologically active chlorophyll than any other known food and is a source of a wide range of antioxidants. They also contain high-quality protein, all B vitamins, the blue pigment phycocyanin, and Phenylethylamine "PEA", which we also find in cacao. The AFA algae are harvested from Upper Klamath Lake in southern Oregon in the USA, which is naturally rich in trace elements.The algae are filtered to preserve the most living nutrients and then further purified through centrifugation. The algae are then cooled and sold frozen or dried as a powder. E3Live uses Refractance Window™ drying with circulating water at atmospheric pressure to transport heat to the product being dried. The moist product is applied to the upper surface of an infrared transparent plastic conveyor belt that floats on the surface of the heated, circulating water. The water is recirculated and continuously heated so that the temperature is maintained as the heat energy is transferred to the product.Unlike hot air dryers that require several hours or freeze dryers that take between 12 and 72 hours, Refractance Window dryers take only 2 to 6 minutes to dry most products. Refractance Window drying offers significant advantages as ingredients are exposed to much milder temperatures, and the final products maintain high levels of sensory properties, such as color, flavor, and aroma. Factors that contribute to their quality include where and how they harvest, superior filtration and storage, as well as ongoing quality control and testing of all their products. All E3Live's products are thoroughly tested by independent USDA certified laboratories for food safety and shelf life, and undergo various other purity tests.
