Numerous studies performed by various scientific teams throughout the world, including the National Institute of Health[1] have clearly established that the higher the levels of circulating stem cells the better the ability of the body to maintain optimal health. A recent publication in the New England Journal of Medicine [2] reported that the level of stem cells in the blood was one of the best indicators of cardiovascular health. Elevating the number of stem cells in the blood has been shown to improve health in many ways. [3-6] Extract of blue green algae Aphanizomenon flos-aquae or AFA supports the release of stem cells from the bone marrow and increases the number of circulating stem cells by 25-30%, which is bound to assist the body in maintaining optimal health.
There are no health claims linked to Aphanizomenon flos-aquae or AFA since it is a dietary supplement and not a drug. The only claims are limited to structure and function claims, which is what it has been solidly documented. That the extract of Aphanizomenon flos-aquae or AFA supports the natural release of stem cells from the bone marrow, thereby assisting the body in maintaining optimal health. The single patient outcomes which have been documented can be published but they could be construed as inferred health claims. Nevertheless, clinical studies are currently in progress involving specific organs and system to further document the mechanics of stem cell physiology, and these studies will be eventually published.
2. Has any study shown that people improved their health as a result of taking it?
Numerous empirical reports and testimonials testify to the health benefits of taking the extract of Aphanizomenon flos-aquae or AFA. Many companies have been shut down by the FDA because of inferred health claims linked to documentation of improvements with various diseases.
3. What evidence shows that the extract of Aphanizomenon flos-aquae or AFA is safe for long-term use?
The raw ingredient from which refined extract is derived, has been on the marketplace for more than two decades with a very good track record of safety.
4. How can users be certain that long-term use will not cause abnormal tissue growth?
The release of stem cells from the bone marrow and their migration to tissues is a natural process that happens everyday. The Extract of Aphanizomenon flos-aquae or AFA, simply supports that natural process and tips the balance toward health everyday. It does not do anything that the body does not already do everyday. So far, no instances of cancer or any similar problem have ever been observed when using in vivo natural release of stem cells from the bone marrow. Abnormal cellular growth has only been seen when manipulating stem cells in test tubes.
5. For whom is the product advisable?
Aphanizomenon flos-aquae or AFA supports the natural release of stem cells from the bone marrow, which is turn travel throughout the body to maintain the health of various organs and tissues. The extract of Aphanizomenon flos-aquae or AFA is the optimal daily support for the maintenance of optimal health. It is for everyone interested in giving their body an extra boost toward daily renewal of cells throughout the body. It is for anyone interested in supporting his or her body’s natural renewal system.
6. Who should not take it?
Aphanizomenon flos-aquae or AFA naturally contains a significant amount of vitamin K. Therefore, anyone taking anticoagulant medication should consult their doctor in order to adjust the medication, if necessary. Aphanizomenon flos-aquae or AFA could also be contraindicated for anyone having a disease of the bone marrow, though this is solely speculative and is not based on any observation of ill effect.
Aphanizomenon flos-aquae or AFA also contains phenylethylamine (PEA), known as the “molecule of love” or the “molecule of joy”. PEA is a natural compound made by the brain whenever one feels content, happy. Deficiency in PEA has been linked to problems of concentration and low mood, and oral intake of PEA has been shown to improve these conditions. Aphanizomenon flos-aquae or AFA concentrates PEA at about 5mg/g. PEA is responsible for the immediate feeling of well-being that one experiences after taking extract of Aphanizomenon flos-aquae or AFA. Because of the effect of PEA in the brain, Aphanizomenon flos-aquae or AFA could be contraindicated for people suffering from severe manic depression.
The Medline search will show thousands of articles showing that circulating stem cells can develop into many other cell types in the body. One may also refer to the study of Krause[7] in which bone marrow stem cells were seen to become functional cells of the skin, liver, colon, intestine, stomach, esophagus, kidney and lung. Bone marrow stem cells have also been documented to become brain cells,[8] heart cells,[1] muscle cells,[9] pancreatic cells[10]… virtually any cell type in the body. In order to find evidence that increasing the number of circulating cells makes people healthier, one only needs to refer to the studies by Orlic at the NIH[1] and that of Werner et al.[2] By a simple search at the NIH library with the key words “circulating stem cells healing” (PubMed) once can find lot of evidence.
References
[1] Orlic D, Kajstura J, Chimenti S, Limana F, Jakoniuk I, Quaini F, Nadal-Ginard B, Bodine DM, Leri A. & Piero Anversa. (2001) Mobilized bone marrow cells repair the infracted heart, improving function and survival. PNAS 98(18):10344–10349.
[2] Werner N, Kosiol S, Schiegl T, Ahlers P, Walenta K, Link A, Bohm M, Nickenig G. (2005) Circulating endothelial progenitor cells and cardiovascular outcomes. N Engl J Med. 8;353(10):999-1007.
[3] Bozlar M, Aslan B, Kalaci A, Baktiroglu L, Yanat AN, Tasci A. (2005) Effects of human granulocyte-colony stimulating factor on fracture healing in rats. Saudi Med J. 26(8):1250-4.
[4] Kong D, Melo LG, Gnecchi M, Zhang L, Mostoslavsky G, Liew CC, Pratt RE, Dzau VJ. (2004) Cytokine-induced mobilization of circulating endothelial progenitor cells enhances repair of injured arteries. Circulation. 110(14):2039-46.
[5] Eroglu E, Agalar F, Altuntas I, Eroglu F. (2004) Effects of granulocyte-colony stimulating factor on wound healing in a mouse model of burn trauma. Tohoku J Exp Med. 204(1):11-6.
[6] Tomoda H, Aoki N. Bone marrow stimulation and left ventricular function in acute myocardial infarction. Clin Cardiol. 2003 Oct;26(10):455-7.
[7] Krause DS, Theise ND, Collector MI, Henegariu O, Hwang S, Gardner R, Neutzel S, Sharkis SJ. (2001) Multi-organ, multi-lineage engraftment by a single bone marrow-derived stem cell. Cell 105:369-77.
[8] Eglitis MA and Mezey VA. (1997) Hematopoietic cells differentiate into both microglia and macroglia in the brains of adult mice. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA Vol. 94, pp. 4080–4085.
[9] Camargo FD, Green R, Capetenaki Y, Jackson KA, and Goodell MA. (2003) Single hematopoietic stem cells generate skeletal muscle through myeloid intermediates. Nature 9(12):1520-27.
[10] Ianus A, Holz GG, Theise ND, and Hussain MA. (2003) In vivo derivation of glucosecompetent cells from bone marrow without evidence of cell fusion. J. Clin. Invest. 111:843-850.
[1] Orlic D, Kajstura J, Chimenti S, Limana F, Jakoniuk I, Quaini F, Nadal-Ginard B, Bodine DM, Leri A. & Piero Anversa. (2001) Mobilized bone marrow cells repair the infracted heart, improving function and survival. PNAS 98(18):10344–10349.
[2] Werner N, Kosiol S, Schiegl T, Ahlers P, Walenta K, Link A, Bohm M, Nickenig G. (2005) Circulating endothelial progenitor cells and cardiovascular outcomes. N Engl J Med. 8;353(10):999-1007.
[3] Bozlar M, Aslan B, Kalaci A, Baktiroglu L, Yanat AN, Tasci A. (2005) Effects of human granulocyte-colony stimulating factor on fracture healing in rats. Saudi Med J. 26(8):1250-4.
[4] Kong D, Melo LG, Gnecchi M, Zhang L, Mostoslavsky G, Liew CC, Pratt RE, Dzau VJ. (2004) Cytokine-induced mobilization of circulating endothelial progenitor cells enhances repair of injured arteries. Circulation. 110(14):2039-46.
[5] Eroglu E, Agalar F, Altuntas I, Eroglu F. (2004) Effects of granulocyte-colony stimulating factor on wound healing in a mouse model of burn trauma. Tohoku J Exp Med. 204(1):11-6.
[6] Tomoda H, Aoki N. Bone marrow stimulation and left ventricular function in acute myocardial infarction. Clin Cardiol. 2003 Oct;26(10):455-7.
[7] Krause DS, Theise ND, Collector MI, Henegariu O, Hwang S, Gardner R, Neutzel S, Sharkis SJ. (2001) Multi-organ, multi-lineage engraftment by a single bone marrow-derived stem cell. Cell 105:369-77.
[8] Eglitis MA and Mezey VA. (1997) Hematopoietic cells differentiate into both microglia and macroglia in the brains of adult mice. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA Vol. 94, pp. 4080–4085.
[9] Camargo FD, Green R, Capetenaki Y, Jackson KA, and Goodell MA. (2003) Single hematopoietic stem cells generate skeletal muscle through myeloid intermediates. Nature 9(12):1520-27.
[10] Ianus A, Holz GG, Theise ND, and Hussain MA. (2003) In vivo derivation of glucosecompetent cells from bone marrow without evidence of cell fusion. J. Clin. Invest. 111:843-850.
