Maximize your health- Eat Algae

Question:

I have been taking the blue green for 4 years. I am scheduled for minor surgery and have been advised to stop taking the algae for two weeks prior and post surgery. Would you know why? Kindly E-Mail response. Many thanks. Marlena

Response:

I have been taking the blue green for 4 years. I am scheduled for minor surgery and have been advised to stop taking the algae for two weeks prior and post surgery. Would you know why? Kindly E-Mail response.

The algae contains living bacteria that are not killed by the freeze-drying process. I would guess your doctors don’t want any additional risk of infection.

Response:

Thanx Mark for all the info, it is good to gather as much data about my product as possible. Raed

Response:

Thanx Mark for all the info, it is good to gather as much data about my product as possible. Raed

Oh? You sound like you haven’t seen all the files. Must be one of the hundreds that join the net every minute. Here’s another file you may have missed. VICTOR HERBERT MD ON BLUE-GREEN ALGAE Copyright 1996 Mark Thorson [An analog (or "analogue") is a molecule that is a modified form of another molecule. For example, heroin and codeine are analogs of morphine. There are analogs of vitamin B-12 which do not contribute toward nutritional vitamin B-12 activity.] Quoting in whole an April 26, 1995 letter to Sharon Gordon, Consumer Complaint Coordinator, FDA (Philadelphia District) from Victor Herbert MD, a leading scientist on vitamins and nutritional diseases (and also author of additional quotes which follow on non-nutritional analogs of vitamin B-12): "Dear Ms. Gordon:" "I received a copy of the April 18 letter to you from to advise both you and him that many algae products are falsely represented as containing vitamin B-12. As we published a decade ago in _The_New_England_Journal_of_ _Medicine_, they contain only analogs of B-12, and no human-active B-12." "Analogs of B-12 are worthless, and possibly harmful, to humans. One of the harms they may produce, in patients with negative B-12 balance (which is very possible in the development of B12-deficiency neuropathy in feet, to determine if he has B12-deficient neuropathy." measurement of his serum levels of vitamin B-12, homo- cysteine, and holotranscobalamin (holo TC II). Holo TC II will be low before any other tests for negative B-12 status become low (see our 1994 paper in _American_ _Journal_of_Clincal_Nutrition_ on assessing B-12 status). If the Cell Tech product: a. contains analogs of B-12, and, b. its label does not contain a consumer warning stating, ‘WARNING: contains vitamin B-12 analogs but no vitamin B-12. Do not take this product unless your vitamin B-12 status has been evaluated by a responsible health professional and found to be normal’, then it is my perception that the seller has violated product liability law, i.e., he has a duty to warn, and he failed to warn." "Sincerely," [signed] "Victor Herbert, M.D., J.D." Quoting from "Staging vitamin B-12 (cobalamin) status in vegetarians", _American_Journal_of_Clinical_Nutrition_, volume 59 (supplement), pages 1213S-1222S: "About one-third of the ‘vitamin B-12′ in serum is in fact not cobalamins (which are all forms of vitamin B-12 that are active for humans), but other corrinoids that are metabolically dead for humans but active for bacteria. Thus, many microbiologic assays may find normal ‘vitamin B-12′ concentrations in vitamin B-12-deficient people because the assay is reading as vitamin B-12 what is in fact noncobalamin corrinoids." Quoting from "Vitamin B-12: plant sources, requirements, and assay", _American_Journal_of_Clinical_Nutrition_, volume 48, pages 852-858: "Vitamin B-12 is of singular interest in any discussion of vegetarian diets because this vitamin is not found in plant foods as are other vitamins. Confusion about what sources may yield vitamin B-12 to strict vegetarians has arisen because the standard US Pharmacopeia (USP) assay for vitamin B-12 does not assay only vitamin B-12. In the USP method the content of vitamin B-12 of any given food is determined by making a water extract of that food and feeding the extract to a bacterium (_Lactobacillus_ _leichmannii_). The quantity of vitamin B-12 is determined by the amount of bacterial growth. The problem is that what is active vitamin B-12 for bacteria is not necessarily active vitamin B-12 for humans. Many of the papers in the literature give values of vitamin B-12 in food that are false because as much as 80% of the activity by this method is due to inactive analogues of vitamin B-12." "We studied several types of tempeh, including Original Soy Tempeh, a _Rhizobus_oligosporus_ culture with a label claim of 160% of the US RDA for vitamin B-12 per 4 oz. Using the differential radioassay we found there was practically no vitamin B-12 in it." "We also studied most of the spirulinas sold in health food stores as sources of vitamin B-12; there is practically no vitamin B-12 in them. The so-called vitamin B-12 is almost exclusively analogues of vitamin B-12 and we have extracted the two largest peaks of analogues and they actually block vitamin B-12 metabolism. We suspect that people taking spirulina as a source of vitamin B-12 may get vitamin B-12 deficiency quicker because the analogues in the product block human mammilian cell metabolism in culture and we suspect they will also do this in the living human. Remember that the label claim of vitamin B-12 is actually a claim of corrinoid content, not vitamin B-12 content." Quoting from "_Spirulina_ and Vitamin B-12", _Journal_of_ _the_American_Medical_Association_, volume 248, number 23, pages 3096-3097: "A current health food fad involves tablets of _Spirulina_, a genus of blue-green algae belonging to the family _Oscillatoriaceae_ of the division _Cyanophyta_, represented in the health food literature to contain large amounts of vitamin B-12." "We subjected three popular brands of 500-mg _Spirulina_ tablets to both the _United_States_Pharmacopeia_ microbiologic assay for vitamin B-12 and the vitamin B-12 radioassay method we recently applied to multivitamin pills." "Microbiologic assay would lead one to believe that 500-mg _Spirulina_ tablets contain about 0.25 to 1 microgram of vitamin B-12 per tablet, but radioassays, using R binder to measure the total of (cobalamins plus cobalamin analogues) and intrinsic factor to measure cobalamins alone (ie, ‘true B-12′), suggest that more than 80% of what appears to be ‘vitamin B-12′ by microbiologic assay is in fact analogues of B-12." "Elsewhere, we reported that 10% to 30% of the vitamin B-12 activity in multivitamin/mineral pills may be analogues created by the antioxidant actions of iron, vitamin C, and other ingredients in the pills. In all of these preparations, there was more true B-12 than analogues; in _Spirulina_, the reverse was the case. These findings are consistent with studies three decades ago, indicating that sewage and other organisms make a variety of vitamin B-12 analogues that have no vitamin B-12 activity for humans, …"

Response:

Thanx Mark for your responce, Do you have any recent information? – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Algae is the worlds most nutritious food, check out this site KLAMATH LAKE: PRISTINE OR PUTRID ??? Copyright Mark Thorson 1998

Response:

Thanx Mark for your responce, Do you have any recent information?

Yes, in fact I updated the microcystins file just for you. (With credit to algavore for asking about the numbers, but I didn’t bother updating the file until you asked.) THE MICROCYSTINS MEMORANDUM Copyright 1997, 1998, 1999 Mark Thorson Super Blue Green (registered trademark, Cell Tech brand) algae is the species known as _Aphanizomenon_flos-aquae_. The remainder of this file is divided into five parts: I. What are microcystins? II. Where do microcystins come from? III. What do microcystins do? IV. Is any level of microcystins safe? V. How can algae users protect against microcystins? PART I. What are microcystins? Quoting from _Toxicon_, volume 32, number 12, "Use of a Colorimetric Protein Phosphatase Inhibition Assay and Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay for the Study of Microcystins and Nodularins.", by An and Carmichael, 1994, pages 1495 and 1496: "Microcystins are monocyclic heptapeptide liver toxins produced by species of cyanobacteria within the genera _Microcystis_, _Anabaena_, _Oscillatoria_, and _Nostoc_ (Carmichael, 1992). The toxins contain two variable L- amino acids plus three D-amino acids plus the unusual amino acids, N-methyldehydroalanine and 3-amino-9-methoxy- 10-phenyl-2,6,8-trimethyl-deca-4(E)6(E)-dienoic acid (Adda) (Reinhart _et_al_, 1988)." [A peptide is a small protein. A heptapeptide is a protein composed of seven amino acids. Monocyclic means it's a one-ring loop. A microcystin is a seven-member ring of amino acids, containing three D-amino acids and two weird amino acids, neither kind normally being found in human food. Amino acids can have two mirror-image forms, called D and L. All amino acids used to build proteins in the human body are L-amino acids, except glycine which is reflection-symmetric (i.e. neither D nor L). D-amino acids are nutritionally inert, and they may contribute towards the ability of microcystins to survive the digestive process intact and get absorbed.] Quoting from page 1497: "Recently, both microcystin and nodularin have been found to be potent inhibitors of protein phosphatase types 1 and 2A (Yoshizawa _et_al_, 1990) as well as tumor promoters in laboratory animals (Nishiwaka-Matsushima _et_al_, 1992b; Falconer, 1991). They are also suspected to be involved with promotion of primary liver cancer in humans exposed to long-term low doses of these cyclic peptide toxins through drinking water (Carmichael, 1994; Yu, 1989)." PART II. Where do microcystins come from? Quoting from "A Cell Tech Statement Regarding _Microcystis_ in Klamath and Agency Lakes", Cell Tech press release, September 1996: "Cell Tech also closely monitors algal blooms in Klamath and Agency Lakes by regularly performing species identification and quantification." "Our test results indicate that there is currently a high level of _Microcystis_aeruginosa_ in certain parts of the lake, particularly Agency Lake." [Cell Tech claims their standard is no more than 1% non- _Aphanizomenon_ species in SBGA.] Quoting from "A Message from Christian Drapeau", a file "Microcystins are regularly found, but only in non- significant amounts (specifically, 0.1-0.2 mcg/g of SBGA)." Quoting from a posting made on May 25, 1997, From Wright State University, Dept. of Bio. Sciences, 10/28/96. (513-873-2655 FAX: 513-873-3320) ELISA assay for … microcystins: Measurable levels of microsystin or nodularin were found in samples QA-9638 – QA-9643 (ug/g): 638 1.1 639 0.4 640 1.3 641 1.0 642 1.7 643 0.7 [Note that these numbers are about ten times higher than those admitted in the previous quote.] Quoting from "Response to Vegetarian Times", a letter from Marta Kollman, October 31, 1996, formerly but no longer available on Cell Tech’s fax-on-demand service: "We know from rigorous testing over the years that _Microcystis_ has always existed in Klamath Lake at very low levels." [But how low is low enough? Read on!] PART III. What do microcystins do? Quoting from _Journal_of_Cancer_Research_and_Clinical_ _Oncology_, volume 118, "Liver Tumor Promotion by the Cyanobacterial Peptide Toxin Microcystin-LR", by Nishiwaki-Matsushima, Ohta, Nishiwaki, Suganuma, Kohyama, Ishikawa, Carmichael, and Fujiki, 1992, page 421: "In two experiments, we found that microcystin-LR has a potent tumor-promoting activity in rat liver initiated with diethylnitrosamine (DEN) below the concentrations that do not release aminotransferase (transaminase) from the liver into the blood serum. Microcystin acts on the liver through the okadaic acid pathway and is one of the strongest liver tumor promoters found to date." [DEN is a carcinogen used to seed cancer foci in the experimental animals. Once seeded, the experiment measured the promotion of these cancer foci by various suspected tumor promoters. Release of aminotransferase into the blood would be a sign of an acutely hepatotoxic reaction, which microcystins may cause. This set of experiments found potent liver tumor promotion at levels below those which are acutely or sub-acutely toxic to the liver, as indicated by the lack of release of aminotransferase.] Quoting from page 423: "The mechanism of action of microcystin in liver cells is similar to that of okadaic acid, and therefore most likely expressed through the okadaic pathway. We have found that the okadaic pathway, involving inhibition of protein phosphatase 1 and 2A activities, is a general mechanism of tumor promotion in various organs." [Inhibition of PP1 and PP2A ain't good!] PART IV. Is any level of microcystins safe? Quoting from _Biochemical_Journal_, volume 306, "Inhibition of Specific Binding of Okadaic Acid to Protein Phosphatase 2A by Microcystin-LR, Calyculin-A and Tautomycin: Method of Analysis of Interactions of Tight- Binding Ligands with Target Protein", by Takai, Sakai, Nagai, Mieskes, Isobe, Isono, and Yasumoto, 1995, page 662: "Of the protein phosphatase inhibitors examined, microcystin-LR exhibited the highest affinity to PP2A." "Of the inhibitors examined, it was also microcystin-LR that exhibited the highest affinity for PP1." [A tight-binding ligand is a molecule that holds on to a binding site of an enzyme so strongly it seldom lets go. In this paper, the rate constants for binding of toxins to PP2A were about 10 to 100 billion times greater than their dissociation constants.] [That's a big difference in favor of binding! For all practical purposes, binding is irreversible. Even at low levels of exposure, the PP1 and PP2A enzymes suck up the toxin and keep it. Can any long-term exposure be safe, if liver enzymes are accumulating the toxin?] Quoting from _Biochemical_and_Biophysical_Research_ _Communications_, volume 216, number 1, "_In_Vivo_ and _in_Vitro_ Binding of Microcystin to Protein Phosphatases 1 and 2A", by Runnegar, Berndt, Kong, Lee, and Zhang, 1995, page 162: "Microcystins are normally cell impermeant, but they accumulate in the liver by specific carrier-mediated transport in hepatocytes which results in PP inhibition and toxicity." [Hepatocytes are liver cells. Microcystins accumulate in liver cells.] Quoting from pages 167 and 168: "We have shown that microcystin, a potent and specific inhibitor of PP1 and PP2A activity, is covalently bound to both PP1 and PP2A catalytic subunits in hepatocytes incubated with the toxin." [This paper explains why the binding of microcystins to liver enzymes is virtually irreversible. Most molecules bind to enzymes because of close fit. The enzyme will have a pocket shaped like the molecule, and the molecule will fit into that pocket like a key fitting into a lock. Microcystins are unusual in that they form covalent bonds to their binding sites on liver enzymes. This is like a key which not only fits the lock, but also proceeds to weld itself to the lock.] PART V. How can algae users protect against microcystins? Cell Tech claims to use sophisticated biochemical tests that can monitor the level of microcystins in the algae harvested from Klamath Lake. Cell Tech says it is abiding by a limit of no more than 1 microgram of microcystins per gram dry weight of algae. Based on the levels reported for 1996, that seems possible. They reported finding levels from 0.4 to 1.7 micrograms per gram of algae, with an average a little over 1 microgram. In a memo from their blue-green algae consultant, Wayne Carmichael, he recommends mixing the more toxin-rich batches with other batches to average out the level of microcystins. If Cell Tech is following that advice, the 1 microgram limit seems within the reach of Cell Tech’s resources and technology. While I am not questioning whether they are adhering to that limit or not, it seems likely that they would have to come very close to that limit in all of their production to compensate for the hotter batches. Is 1 microgram of microcystins per day safe? With regard to liver cancer caused by chronic, low-dose exposure to microcystins, a limit of 0.75 micrograms daily intake is cited in "Primary Prevention of Hepatocellular Carcinoma", _Journal_of_Gastroenterology_and_Hepatology_, 1995, volume 10, pages 674-682. At the 1 microgram level, that’s only three capsules per day. A 1998 report from Health Canada reviews the scientific literature and recommends a limit for microcystin intake from drinking water of 3 micrograms daily. That would be the amount in 12 capsules of the algae. Health Canada used the "no adverse effects level" in animals to calculate their recommended level. The risk of liver cancer from chronic, low-dose exposure was not used in the calculation. Microcystins also cause DNA damage and DNA unwinding. (See "The … read more »

Response:

Algae is the worlds most nutritious food, check out this site

Nutritious? Not really. Here’s my reply to another algae salesperson. Amino Acid content found in 2 grams of AFA: in mg; Essential: Arginine 76, Histidine 19,Isoleucine 59,(help s muscle production and liver damage)) Lysine 69, Methionine 15, Phenylalanine 51(elevates mood suppresses appetite), Thronine 65, Tryptophan 15(natures’s tranquilizer), Valine 64. Non essential: Asparagine 95, Alanine 93 lowers cholesterol and curbs appetite., Glutamine 152(detoxifies),Cystine 4,Glycine 59, Proline 57, Serine 59, Tyrosine 35(reduces food cravings, depression and drug withdrawal),Aspartic Acid 15, Glutamic Acid 8.

Yeah, but 2 grams of AFA is eight capsules, or about two dollars worth. For that money, you could buy a dozen eggs that would have quantities of amino acids measured in grams, not milligrams. Without natural organic vitamins we would find ourselves physically and emotionally drained of energy. Vitamin content: B1, B2 B6, B3, B5, Folic Acid, Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)-5 times more than Spirulina, B12("energy")Vitamin E, Betacarotene, Biotin, Choline.

Note that no quantities are stated here. On my bottle of Omega Sun, it says six capsules have 36% of the U.S. Recommended Daily Allowance of beta-carotene, 3% of vitamin B-2, 196% of vitamin B-12, and 2% of vitamin E. For vitamins B-1, B-6, C, niacin, and folic acid, the quantity is less than 2% of U.S. RDA. There’s almost no vitamin content in the algae! – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Today in this modern world of chemically fertilized and over worked topsoil, mineral deficiency is even more likely to occur than vitamin deficiency: Natural minerals do not have to be highly concentrated to contribute to good health- they need only to be absorbed and naturally chelated. Mineral Content: Boron (bone strengthening),Calcium(lowers cholesterol and protects against cardiovascular by lowering blood pressure),Chromium (sugar regulator-glucose regulator),Cobalt (repairs nerve tissue), Copper (absorbs free radicals), Negatively charged Fluoride (protects agents tooth decay and slows down osteoporosis), Iodine (Thyroid gland need to control metabolism) Needed daily; body can not store it),Iron (Fatigue, irritability, depression is low enthusiasm are symptoms of iron deficient anemia), Magnesium ("anti-stress", plays a role in more than 325 different enzyme systems-relaxes bronchial muscles in asthmatics, used to treat irregular heart beat rythemoids, elevates HDL the good cholesterol, decreases the platelet thickness which decreases the tendency of blood clots and cause of high blood pressure, typically deficient in those who have rheumatoid arthritis, Molybdenum (micro nutrient ;bioactivate human enzymes associated with longevity enhancement and free radical absorption. Nickel(needed for growth and reproduction) Potassium (reduces blood vessel restriction,important to electrolyte and acid based balance inside human cells .Selenium (increase elastic youthfulness of skin and helpful in removing age spots, may reduce skin cancer, wrinkle reducer.) Silicon; (strengthens the human skin), Zinc(used to activate digestive enzymes that make stomach acids, canker sores are a sign of iron deficiency, prostate enlargement caused from a lack of zinc.

Again, what quantities are we talking about? According to the label on the bottle of Omega Sun I am holding, six capsules give you 2% of the U.S. RDA of calcium and 3% of the iron. For chromium, copper, iodine, magnesium, phosphorous, potassium, and zinc, the quantity is less than 2% of U.S. RDA. There’s almost no mineral content in the algae! Green Foods such as barley grass, Chlorella, wheat grass juice, and sprouts lag far behind two most popular blue-green algae, AFA and Spirulina. Both are considered green superfood; One of the major differences is simply that AFA is the greenest superfood known, because

Is this really a superfood? It has almost no vitamins or minerals. No, I think we have to look elsewhere for the cause behind the effects reported by SBGA users.

Response:

Algae is the worlds most nutritious food, check out this site http://www.maximumnutrition.com Thanx.

Response:

Algae is the worlds most nutritious food, check out this site

KLAMATH LAKE: PRISTINE OR PUTRID ??? Copyright Mark Thorson 1998 Super Blue Green (registered trademark, Cell Tech brand) algae is the species known as _Aphanizomenon_flos-aquae_, harvested from Klamath Lake in Oregon. The remainder of this file is divided into three parts: I. What are the conditions in Klamath Lake? II. What algae grows in Klamath Lake? III. Is the algae that grows in Klamath Lake toxic? PART I. What are the conditions in Klamath Lake? Quoting from "Klamath Lake, An Instance of Natural Enrichment", by Phinney and Peek, in _Algae_and_Metropolitan_Wastes_, 1960, pages 22-24: "For at least sixty years the algal populations of Upper Klamath Lake have been sufficiently large to cause comment and speculation as to the cause and effects of the growth. During the summer months the Lake has been unsightly and has had offensive odor. The discharge from the Lake has contained a heavy organic load, high in nitrogen. This has caused portions of the upper reaches of the Klamath River to become periodically anaerobic despite the supersaturation with oxygen that occurs at the exit from the Lake during daylight hours. Because of this situation a serious problem has arisen in the disposal of metropolitan wastes." "From the correspondence files of the Bureau of Reclamation comes evidence of early concern for this situation. As early as January 1906, J. B. Lippencot, Supervising Engineer for the then Reclamation Service (now Bureau of Reclamation) wrote from his Los Angeles office in part: "…I wish to call your attention to the fact that these waters are filled with some sort of organic matter, either animal or vegetable, so that they have a decided green appearance. They are cutting up ice now that has been formed from these waters, and we will probably be asked to use this ice next summer. Last summer we were troubled a great deal up there with stomach complaints. For that reason I am somewhat interested in the sanitary analysis of the water. This same material in the water appears to have some fertilizing properties…" "Wherever along its length the river had been impounded, whether behind a dam or in a backwater or slough, the water had produced blooms comparable with that in Upper Klamath Lake. It can be predicted that the construction of additional impoundments on the Klamath River will greatly increase the organic load of this already impossibly burdened stream and will probably bring an end to fish production in this stream." PART II. What algae grows in Klamath Lake? Quoting from "Klamath Lake, An Instance of Natural Enrichment", by Phinney and Peek, in _Algae_and_Metropolitan_Wastes_, 1960, page 24: "Although this survey has named 29 species of algae as occurring in the plankton with some seasonal regularity, four species of the _Cyanophyta_ (_Aphanizomenon_ n. sp., _Gloeotrichia_echinulata_, _Anabaena_circinalis_, _Anacystis_ (_Microcystis_ or _Polycystis_) _aeruginosa_, and two species of diatoms (_Asterionella_formosa_ and _Melosira_ sp.) have been most abundant at different seasons." "The prime offender in the summer bloom has been the _Aphanizomenon_. Germinating spores and single filaments were found in the plankton by the end of March or by the first of April. By the end of April the population had developed to the point that several thousand filaments were contained in each liter of water. By the end of May a million and a half filaments per liter were present and in June, July, August, and September the counts started to drop and through the months of October and November the plants died in great masses." [Note that blue-green algae were still referred to as plants in 1960, because the distinction between prokaryotes and eukaryotes was not fully appreciated at that time. Under today's classification system, blue-green algae are correctly identified as a form of bacteria.] PART III. Is the algae that grows in Klamath Lake toxic? Quoting from "Blue-Green and Green Algal Toxins", by John H. Gentile, _Microbial_Toxins_ vol. VII, pages 39-40: "In 1968, an _Aphanizomenon_flos-aquae_ sample from Klamath Lake was successfully cultured (Gentile, 1968). This sample was collected in usual fasciculate form. Initial growth was slow with fascicle size decreasing. In a second culture, which was aerated, the fascicles disintegrated and the growth of the resulting solitary trichomes was rapid (T = 22 hours). Mass cultures derived from this inoculum were toxic to fish (_Fundulus_ _heteroclitus, _Cyprinodon_variegatus_) and white mice (MLD = 10 mg/kg in 5 minutes). No attempt was made to determine if the fasciculate form was toxic. Although there is evidence that cultural conditions can affect toxin production (Gorham, 1964b; Perry and Gorham, 1966; Gentile and Maloney, 1969), there is no reason to believe that the factors involved in maintaining fasciculate integrity (McLachlan _et_al_, 1963; Guseva, 1937; Zehnder and Gorham, 1960) are related to toxin production. O’Flaherty and Phinney (1970) have reported on the unialgal culture of _Aphanizomenon_flos-aquae_ in defined medium in the fasciculate form from a bloom in Upper Klamath Lake, Oregon. They have maintained the fasciculate form in modified ASM medium for more than 3 years. Maintenance and growth of fascicles was obtained when the concentration of ferric iron was 0.18 mg/liter. Gentile and Maloney (1969) were unable to induce fascicle formation in the toxic clone of _Aphanizomenon_flos-aquae_ isolated from Kezar Lake, New Hampshire. This was not unexpected since this isolate was never found in the fasciculate form in nature. However, using the nutritional and culture conditions suggested by O’Flaherty and Phinney (1970), fasciculate growth was induced in a non-fasciculate culture originally isolated from Klamath Lake (Gentile, 1970). Both the fasciculate and non-fasciculate cultures were toxic." [Fasciculate means the individual filaments (i.e. trichomes) occur in bundles, rather than as separate strands.]

Response:

Category Categories: Iodine Thyroid | No Comments »

Can vitamins be harmful?

Question:

: It is impossible to "prove" anything to you. further more you could care less : about my health. A typical answer of a person who is "self diagnosed." Carol

Response:

Dear Mark, I am well aware of these numbers that you have quoted. Have you tried any one of these foods, particularly in excess. Take a little more than the recommended amount in the evening. See what happens to your sleep. I do not restrict my concept of nutrition to physical nutrients. If I did restrict my concept of nutrition to physical nutrients, I would agree with you 100%. I find super blue green algea to be too strong and too expensive. More is not necessarily better, unless we are talking about nuclear bomb yields. Roger

Response:

Quite serious. People have the mistaken idea that B vitamins, because they are water-soluble, can’t hurt you when taken in excess. They are wrong. B-6, at levels around 500 mg/day for extended periods (months) can indeed cause peripheral neuropathy, usually as numbness or pins and needles as I recall. If you stop taking it soon enough, these effects usually go away after a while. The toxicity level varies in different people (big surprise there, right?). Some might tolerate 500 mg/d fine, other I think might see problems at 300. That’s massively more than the RDA, by the way, which is 2, yes two, mg.

"Evil is a good thing taken too far." – Inayat Khan — David is absolutely right. After we have broken out of the negative view that conventional medicine has concerning nutrition and the taking of responsibility for one’s own health, we must understand that more is not necessarily better. Some vitamins in excess can KILL. It is really balance that we need. We get balance in the foods that God (SomeOne David et. al. does not believe in, just as he and his ilk do not believe in their own essential beings) has provided for us via farmers that believe in being responsible and working with nature. Roger

Response:

When you’re done fighting with AF

LOL Do you think we will ever quit fighting?? could you give the rest of us details of the bllod work which revealed the presence of "chemicals" in your body? Was blood work done or was some other method used? I’m genuinely curious. hd

I have had plenty of blood work done, but MD’s did not look for chemicals. I am now using other methods. As previously stated, give it more time, be patient. Stay tuned. Jan

Response:

Some simple bloodwork showing elevated levels of a known toxin would do the trick. I suppose you’ve now given up on "parasites" even though you had "proof" of that too. Blood work may show toxins, I don’t believe they show exactly what the toxins are individually. They do.

Well, if they do, why is it that so many "medical" doctors couldn’t find them?? They should be the ones testing–not waiting until you have been told by other alternative doctors that this is the problem. OH now we will check for it. OH yes, sure, after I have suffered for two years. I have been in doctors’ offiices, could barely hold up my head, went in my bathrobe–still had to jump up and down to get even a simple blood test done!! See why I am totally disgusted with traditional medical doctors??? I also don’t believe they show chemicals. They do.

Maybe after you ask them to test for chemicals! That is the point. Why didn’t they test for them long ago? I have a hair analynis that show some chemicals. I have found that many MD’s will take blood tests, and only check for "one" thing, instead of a complete work up. You can ask for whatever tests you like.

That is the doctors job!! How would I know what tests to ask for.??? It’s true that MDs often won’t waste money looking for things that they are extremely unlikely to find.

Waste money?? You have been on death row for two years, they send you for a test of one thing, rather than a complete work up, that makes sense??? If I had not taken it upon myself to look for the reason, I would most likely de dead!!! What makes you think they are extremely unlikely to find?? I have found that they know nothing about chemicals. What, exactly, did the hiar analysis show? And, of course, was it done in a lab?

No we did it in the back yard!! Get real. How else would you have it done, other than a lab. I tried to get it done by my doctors, they wanted to know what "I" was looking for!! So I had to find an alternative doctor to have it done. It is from a lab in West Chicago. I have also found that they do not read them the same as an ND. I could send you a gallon or so of my blood, then you "the great expert" could test it yourself. The tests we are talking about are intended to show levels of specific toxins. Easy to read.

I couldn’t even get the tests done, let alone read. I no longer have parasites. Thanks to Hulda Clark’s products, plus the supplements that I am now taking. As I stated previously, we are now stripping off one layer at a time. I am feeling much better, I think I have passed over the hump. More time will tell. I am very thankful as this time for the progress I have made in the last 4 weeks. One layer of what? And, if only hair analysis is used, how do you monitor weekly progress? Have you considered this? hd

We are not just going by the hair analysis. My doctor is a specialist of chemicals. I see her on a daily basis at her office. She also lives across the street from me, and has come to my home on 4 occassions when I was having fits of pain (and she did not charge me) Now compare that to the medical doctors!!! Jan

Response:

Some simple bloodwork showing elevated levels of a known toxin would do the trick. I suppose you’ve now given up on "parasites" even though you had "proof" of that too. Blood work may show toxins, I don’t believe they show exactly what the toxins are individually.

They do. I also don’t believe they show chemicals.

They do. I have a hair alaynis that show some chemicals. I have found that many MD’s will take blood tests, and only check for "one" thing, instead of a complete work up.

You can ask for whatever tests you like. It’s true that MDs often won’t waste money looking for things that they are extremely unlikely to find. What, exactly, did the hiar analysis show? And, of course, was it done in a lab? I have also found that they do not read them the same as an ND. I could send you a gallon or so of my blood, then you "the great expert" could test it yourself.

The tests we are talking about are intended to show levels of specific toxins. Easy to read. I no longer have parasites. Thanks to Hulda Clark’s products, plus the supplements that I am now taking. As I stated previously, we are now stripping off one layer at a time. I am feeling much better, I think I have passed over the hump. More time will tell. I am very thankful as this time for the progress I have made in the last 4 weeks.

One layer of what? And, if only hair analysis is used, how do you monitor weekly progress? Have you considered this? hd

Response:

I’d love to see the proof of this new diagnosis too — "chemical overload." Got the blood work to prove it Jan? It is impossible to "prove" anything to you. further more you could care less about my health. It seems you aren’t even concerned about your own. Go have a drink, doing a little smoking, have a big juicy "fat" steak and top it off with a candy bar.

When you’re done fighting with AF, could you give the rest of us details of the bllod work which revealed the presence of "chemicals" in your body? Was blood work done or was some other method used? I’m genuinely curious. hd

Response:

I’d love to see the proof of this new diagnosis too — "chemical overload." Got the blood work to prove it Jan? It is impossible to "prove" anything to you. further more you could care less about my health. Some simple bloodwork showing elevated levels of a known toxin would do the trick. I suppose you’ve now given up on "parasites" even though you had "proof" of that too.

Blood work may show toxins, I don’t believe they show exactly what the toxins are individually. I also don’t believe they show chemicals. I have a hair alaynis that show some chemicals. I have found that many MD’s will take blood tests, and only check for "one" thing, instead of a complete work up. I have also found that they do not read them the same as an ND. I could send you a gallon or so of my blood, then you "the great expert" could test it yourself. I no longer have parasites. Thanks to Hulda Clark’s products, plus the supplements that I am now taking. As I stated previously, we are now stripping off one layer at a time. I am feeling much better, I think I have passed over the hump. More time will tell. I am very thankful as this time for the progress I have made in the last 4 weeks. It seems you aren’t even concerned about your own. Go have a drink, doing a little smoking, have a big juicy "fat" steak and top it off with a candy bar. Yep, sounds good, all except the candy bar part. I hate sweets

Ah yea, quote " I love my sugar and salt", that "ain’t" sweets?? . But steak frites at Le Metisse sounds like a good idea for dinner, followed by a nice Romeo y Julietta medium cigar.

Hmmmmm, sounds like a "redneck" to me, you got an "outhouse?" Jan

Response:

but luckily a real doctor saved my life. Wonderful. a real doctor did nothing for me. Jan Maybe you need a different doctor. Or maybe you aren’t sick with anything a medical doctor can treat.

Right Aaron, it is all in my head.. I’d love to see the proof of this new diagnosis too — "chemical overload." Got the blood work to prove it Jan?

It is impossible to "prove" anything to you. further more you could care less about my health. It seems you aren’t even concerned about your own. Go have a drink, doing a little smoking, have a big juicy "fat" steak and top it off with a candy bar. Jan

Response:

but luckily a real doctor saved my life.

Wonderful. a real doctor did nothing for me. Jan

Response:

I do not restrict my concept of nutrition to physical nutrients. If I did restrict my concept of nutrition to physical nutrients, I would agree with you 100%.

What nutrients that are not "physical nutrients" are you referring to? Psychic nutrients? I find super blue green algea to be too strong and too expensive. More is not necessarily better, unless we are talking about nuclear bomb yields.

Too strong? What reaction did you have?

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Is it unhealthy to take too many different types of vitamins? Taking too much of anything is not good. Lots of vitamin A (as retinol) can injure or kill you. Too much niacin can damage your liver. Too much B-6 can cause peripheral neuropathy. Are you serious?? Too much B-6 can cause peripheral neuropathy? Tell me more please. Quite serious. People have the mistaken idea that B vitamins, because they are water-soluble, can’t hurt you when taken in excess. They are wrong. B-6, at levels around 500 mg/day for extended periods (months) can indeed cause peripheral neuropathy, usually as numbness or pins and needles as I recall. If you stop taking it soon enough, these effects usually go away after a while. The toxicity level varies in different people (big surprise there, right?). Some might tolerate 500 mg/d fine, other I think might see problems at 300. That’s massively more than the RDA, by the way, which is 2, yes two, mg. Is the problem because a person takes only B-6? It is my understanding that the B vitamin family must be taken in proper ratio. Too much of one, makes you deficient in the others.

Yep, that’s the assumption among many nutritionally-oriented doctors who claim that megadoses of B6 are much better tolerated in their patients, presumably because they also take a generous amount of all the other B vitamins and nutrients, including magnesium (which is also apparently related to B6 in some important way, metabolically). It’s only a clinical/observational claim, of course, not the result of controlled research. Syd Jan

http://www.escape.ca/~sgb Dealing with Depression Naturally and other books by Syd Baumel. …and cool record reviews!

Response:

One thing is for sure (in my opinion) the RDA is a terrible guide to follow. Just enough to barely keep you alive. If you are sick, the RDA is very deficient. Jan

Response:

Excessive intake of a certain vitamin or mineral can be harmful as far as I know. i.e. extreme levels of Vit A can cause liver damage. However, it is difficult to acheive extreme levels of most vits and mins since they are micronutrients. Abbie – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Is it unhealthy to take too many different types of vitamins? I would like that Vitamin A above 10,000 IU would not be a great idea. People have been known to die from too much Vitamin A. But this is the animal product version. The plant version, call pro-vitamin A or caroteen (spelling?), I think is harmless. If you mean is it healthy to take too many different types of vitamins, as in A, B1, B2, C, D, etc., quite the reverse is the case. You want a full BALANCED spectrum of vitamins, as many as possible, and it is extremely difficult to do this with pills. Whole, natural, organic foods are the best way to do that. Probably the only way to do it. And believe it or not, science does not know everything, and it is very likely that there are nutrients that science has not yet discovered that you can benefit from by eating whole, natural, organic foods, but which you will not find in any pill. There are such things as superfoods, foods found to be very high is nutrents, in no particular order: super blue green algea, colostrum, bee pollen, flaxseeds, home made yogurt (easier to make than you would imagine), etc. Sincerely, Roger

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – One thing is for sure (in my opinion) the RDA is a terrible guide to follow. Just enough to barely keep you alive. If you are sick, the RDA is very deficient. Jan I follow the US RDA and am healthy as an ox. I also eat (lots of) meat, drink alcohol, smoke a pipe on occasion, like my sugar and salt, and don’t give a hoot about food colorings, etc. I prefer organic vegetables for the taste, but am not persnickety about it. And I drink New York tap water every day. It’s the best tasting in the country. AF

Well maybe this explains why you are so addicted to arguing, insulting, and "always" being right? But don’t brag to soon, your being as healthy as an ox could change. Your life style doesn’t say much for "traditional" medicene. Have you been listening? Oops, I forgot, it is hard to hear when your mouth is always open. Jan

Response:

There is a couple of vitamins that can give you problems if you get too much I believe Vitamin D, maybe K too. A multivitamin suppliment never hurts if you do not go to the extreem. Sincerely, Bettina http://www.bachflower.com – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Is it unhealthy to take too many different types of vitamins?

Response:

Is it unhealthy to take too many different types of vitamins?

Taking too much of anything is not good. Lots of vitamin A (as retinol) can injure or kill you. Too much niacin can damage your liver. Too much B-6 can cause peripheral neuropathy. — David Wright :: wright at ibnets.com :: Not a Spokesman for Anyone These are my opinions only, but they’re almost always correct. "Few things give a greater feeling of security than a full gas tank."

Response:

Is it unhealthy to take too many different types of vitamins? Taking too much of anything is not good. Lots of vitamin A (as retinol) can injure or kill you. Too much niacin can damage your liver. Too much B-6 can cause peripheral neuropathy.

David, Are you serious?? Too much B-6 can cause peripheral neuropathy? Tell me more please. Jan

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Is it unhealthy to take too many different types of vitamins? Taking too much of anything is not good. Lots of vitamin A (as retinol) can injure or kill you. Too much niacin can damage your liver. Too much B-6 can cause peripheral neuropathy. Are you serious?? Too much B-6 can cause peripheral neuropathy? Tell me more please. Quite serious. People have the mistaken idea that B vitamins, because they are water-soluble, can’t hurt you when taken in excess. They are wrong. B-6, at levels around 500 mg/day for extended periods (months) can indeed cause peripheral neuropathy, usually as numbness or pins and needles as I recall. If you stop taking it soon enough, these effects usually go away after a while. The toxicity level varies in different people (big surprise there, right?). Some might tolerate 500 mg/d fine, other I think might see problems at 300. That’s massively more than the RDA, by the way, which is 2, yes two, mg.

Is the problem because a person takes only B-6? It is my understanding that the B vitamin family must be taken in proper ratio. Too much of one, makes you deficient in the others. Jan

Response:

Is it unhealthy to take too many different types of vitamins? Taking too much of anything is not good. Lots of vitamin A (as retinol) can injure or kill you. Too much niacin can damage your liver. Too much B-6 can cause peripheral neuropathy. Are you serious?? Too much B-6 can cause peripheral neuropathy? Tell me more please.

Quite serious. People have the mistaken idea that B vitamins, because they are water-soluble, can’t hurt you when taken in excess. They are wrong. B-6, at levels around 500 mg/day for extended periods (months) can indeed cause peripheral neuropathy, usually as numbness or pins and needles as I recall. If you stop taking it soon enough, these effects usually go away after a while. The toxicity level varies in different people (big surprise there, right?). Some might tolerate 500 mg/d fine, other I think might see problems at 300. That’s massively more than the RDA, by the way, which is 2, yes two, mg. — David Wright :: wright at ibnets.com :: Not a Spokesman for Anyone These are my opinions only, but they’re almost always correct. "Few things give a greater feeling of security than a full gas tank."

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Is it unhealthy to take too many different types of vitamins? I would like that Vitamin A above 10,000 IU would not be a great idea. People have been known to die from too much Vitamin A. But this is the animal product version. The plant version, call pro-vitamin A or caroteen (spelling?), I think is harmless. If you mean is it healthy to take too many different types of vitamins, as in A, B1, B2, C, D, etc., quite the reverse is the case. You want a full BALANCED spectrum of vitamins, as many as possible, and it is extremely difficult to do this with pills. Whole, natural, organic foods are the best way to do that. Probably the only way to do it. And believe it or not, science does not know everything, and it is very likely that there are nutrients that science has not yet discovered that you can benefit from by eating whole, natural, organic foods, but which you will not find in any pill. There are such things as superfoods, foods found to be very high is nutrents, in no particular order: super blue green algea, colostrum, bee pollen, flaxseeds, home made yogurt (easier to make than you would imagine), etc. Sincerely, Roger

I agree with the correct balance of vitamins, especially The B group. Vitamin A has been said to be dangerous, but the dose would have to be much larger than most people would ever take. It also depends on what the person’s condition is. I am learning much about this subject. You are right on about the organic foods. With my condition (chemicals) I am off all sugar (including natural from fruits) white flour, all breads (including whole wheat) and the list goes on. Jan

Response:

Is it unhealthy to take too many different types of vitamins?

Response:

Is it unhealthy to take too many different types of vitamins?

Too much A can be harmful. There may be others. Roger

Response:

Is it unhealthy to take too many different types of vitamins?

I would like that Vitamin A above 10,000 IU would not be a great idea. People have been known to die from too much Vitamin A. But this is the animal product version. The plant version, call pro-vitamin A or caroteen (spelling?), I think is harmless. If you mean is it healthy to take too many different types of vitamins, as in A, B1, B2, C, D, etc., quite the reverse is the case. You want a full BALANCED spectrum of vitamins, as many as possible, and it is extremely difficult to do this with pills. Whole, natural, organic foods are the best way to do that. Probably the only way to do it. And believe it or not, science does not know everything, and it is very likely that there are nutrients that science has not yet discovered that you can benefit from by eating whole, natural, organic foods, but which you will not find in any pill. There are such things as superfoods, foods found to be very high is nutrents, in no particular order: super blue green algea, colostrum, bee pollen, flaxseeds, home made yogurt (easier to make than you would imagine), etc. Sincerely, Roger

Response:

There are such things as superfoods, foods found to be very high is nutrents, in no particular order: super blue green algea, colostrum, bee pollen, flaxseeds, home made yogurt (easier to make than you would imagine), etc.

No particular order? Well, here’s my response to another peddlar of the first item on your list. Amino Acid content found in 2 grams of AFA: in mg; Essential: Arginine 76, Histidine 19,Isoleucine 59,(help s muscle production and liver damage)) Lysine 69, Methionine 15, Phenylalanine 51(elevates mood suppresses appetite), Thronine 65, Tryptophan 15(natures’s tranquilizer), Valine 64. Non essential: Asparagine 95, Alanine 93 lowers cholesterol and curbs appetite., Glutamine 152(detoxifies),Cystine 4,Glycine 59, Proline 57, Serine 59, Tyrosine 35(reduces food cravings, depression and drug withdrawal),Aspartic Acid 15, Glutamic Acid 8.

Yeah, but 2 grams of AFA is eight capsules, or about two dollars worth. For that money, you could buy a dozen eggs that would have quantities of amino acids measured in grams, not milligrams. Without natural organic vitamins we would find ourselves physically and emotionally drained of energy. Vitamin content: B1, B2 B6, B3, B5, Folic Acid, Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)-5 times more than Spirulina, B12("energy")Vitamin E, Betacarotene, Biotin, Choline.

Note that no quantities are stated here. On my bottle of Omega Sun, it says six capsules have 36% of the U.S. Recommended Daily Allowance of beta-carotene, 3% of vitamin B-2, 196% of vitamin B-12, and 2% of vitamin E. For vitamins B-1, B-6, C, niacin, and folic acid, the quantity is less than 2% of U.S. RDA. There’s almost no vitamin content in the algae! – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Today in this modern world of chemically fertilized and over worked topsoil, mineral deficiency is even more likely to occur than vitamin deficiency: Natural minerals do not have to be highly concentrated to contribute to good health- they need only to be absorbed and naturally chelated. Mineral Content: Boron (bone strengthening),Calcium(lowers cholesterol and protects against cardiovascular by lowering blood pressure),Chromium (sugar regulator-glucose regulator),Cobalt (repairs nerve tissue), Copper (absorbs free radicals), Negatively charged Fluoride (protects agents tooth decay and slows down osteoporosis), Iodine (Thyroid gland need to control metabolism) Needed daily; body can not store it),Iron (Fatigue, irritability, depression is low enthusiasm are symptoms of iron deficient anemia), Magnesium ("anti-stress", plays a role in more than 325 different enzyme systems-relaxes bronchial muscles in asthmatics, used to treat irregular heart beat rythemoids, elevates HDL the good cholesterol, decreases the platelet thickness which decreases the tendency of blood clots and cause of high blood pressure, typically deficient in those who have rheumatoid arthritis, Molybdenum (micro nutrient ;bioactivate human enzymes associated with longevity enhancement and free radical absorption. Nickel(needed for growth and reproduction) Potassium (reduces blood vessel restriction,important to electrolyte and acid based balance inside human cells .Selenium (increase elastic youthfulness of skin and helpful in removing age spots, may reduce skin cancer, wrinkle reducer.) Silicon; (strengthens the human skin), Zinc(used to activate digestive enzymes that make stomach acids, canker sores are a sign of iron deficiency, prostate enlargement caused from a lack of zinc.

Again, what quantities are we talking about? According to the label on the bottle of Omega Sun I am holding, six capsules give you 2% of the U.S. RDA of calcium and 3% of the iron. For chromium, copper, iodine, magnesium, phosphorous, potassium, and zinc, the quantity is less than 2% of U.S. RDA. There’s almost no mineral content in the algae! Green Foods such as barley grass, Chlorella, wheat grass juice, and sprouts lag far behind two most popular blue-green algae, AFA and Spirulina. Both are considered green superfood; One of the major differences is simply that AFA is the greenest superfood known, because

Is this really a superfood? It has almost no vitamins or minerals. No, I think we have to look elsewhere for the cause behind the effects reported by SBGA users.

Response:

Category Categories: Iodine Thyroid | No Comments »