Usage traditionnel de la plante

TRADITIONAL USE OF THE PLANT

AFA has been used for several hundred years by the American Indians. Spanish missionaries during the conquest of America in 1524 described a “blue mud” of high nutritional value near Lake Texcoco and near the city of Tenochtitlan, which is now Mexico City. The Aztecs prepared small sun-dried cakes made from AFA called “Tecuitlatl”. In fact, this blue mud was also used to prepare a bread mixed with cereals, tomatoes and spices called “Chilmolli”.

In Africa, “dihé” was the local name for blue-green algae that grew in Kanem, Chad. Thus, in the United States, the FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization) stated in 2009 that "dihé is rich in protein at more than 60% of the dry weight, which corresponds to 6 times the protein content of meat and a quantity 10 times greater than that contained in soy flour. The fatty acid content is balanced in saturated and polyunsaturated acids. It is also a good source of minerals and vitamins such as vitamin B9" (FAO, 2009 report). The iron concentration is 10 times that found in whole grains.

NUTRITIONAL COMPOSITION OF THE PLANT

AFA is harvested exclusively from Klamath Lake in Oregon USA and the harvest takes place in summer, until the end of autumn, depending on the year. Klamath Lake, a high altitude lake at over 1200m is loaded with volcanic sediments and minerals, fed by the surrounding rivers and mountain lakes. This unique ecosystem promotes the natural growth of the algae.

AFA represents an excellent source of macronutrients, micronutrients and active phytocompounds including vitamins, proteins (63-69%), minerals, chlorophyll, beta-carotene, phycocyanin (PC) and Phenyl-Ethyl-Amine (PEA).

50% of the lipid content of AFA representing 5-9% of the dry weight is composed of polyunsaturated acids such as omega 3 (n-3 alpha-linolenic acid (C18 n-3n-3), oleic acid (C18:1) and linoleic acid (C18:2 n-6) (Kushak et al., 2000). Indeed, the intake profile of essential amino acids, i.e. not synthesized by humans, is balanced according to the recommended intakes, thus allowing a significant intake of the 9 essential amino acids. Furthermore, a typical composition of AFA algae is given in the following table (Pietri A.M, 2011).

Phycocyanin is the blue pigment common to all blue-green algae with known antioxidant and anti-inflammatory action (Romay et al., 2003; Jensen et al., 2015).

PEA is a substance naturally produced by the brain in the event of positive emotions. PEA is a neuromodulator naturally secreted in the brain, which inhibits the reuptake of different neurotransmitters such as norepinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin, by acting on specific receptors (Irsfeld et al., 2013). A PEA deficiency is reported in people with depression. This is why PEA is used in cases of depression, hyperactivity, or attention deficit in children.

THE FIRST CLINICAL STUDIES ON AFA WERE CONDUCTED IN CHILDREN IN THE 1990S

The first studies on AFA were conducted about 30 years ago in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

FIRST STUDY: CLAUDIA JARRATT ET AL.

Claudia Jarratt et al., 1997 conducted a study on 142 children consuming between 0.5 g and 1 g of AFA as a daily dose for 10 weeks at Harvard, Massachusetts in the Center for Family Wellness. Parents and teachers reported beneficial effects on children's behavior in 10 of the 11 categories of the Achenbach scale, used for children with attention disorders. Indeed, AFA consumption for 10 weeks is associated with an improvement in sociability, a decrease in anxiety and depressive symptoms. In addition, AFA consumption is also associated with a decrease in aggressive behavior and an improvement in concentration and attention skills.

SECOND STUDY: SEVULLA AND AGUIRRE

Sevulla and Aguirre (1995) also studied the effect of AFA consumption on 1,567 children in a Nicaraguan school at the Universidad Centro Americana. They consumed 1 g of AFA daily for 6 months. As a result, teachers observed a 54% increase in class participation, as well as a 21% increase in class attendance. In addition, parents and the clinical team observed a general physical improvement (hair, skin, general health). Finally, the study demonstrated a net improvement of 81% in academic performance, which was probably explained by an improvement in the children's concentration and attention skills.

THIRD STUDY: JEFFREY BRUNO, JOE-JO GITTELMAN AND BARRY TUCHFELD IN SIERRA VISTA, AZ

A third study reported beneficial effects of AFA on cognitive abilities in children, conducted by Jeffrey Bruno, Joe-Jo Gittelman and Barry Tuchfeld in Sierra Vista, AZ, at the Stillwell Learning Center in 1998. 31 children were enrolled in a special program of classes associated with a daily consumption of 1.5 and 3g per day. The study demonstrated a 40% improvement in concentration and memory scores on the Conners scale, completed by parents and teachers. Class attendance and participation were improved and better general health was described in the study. These 3 studies demonstrate the beneficial effects of AFA on cognitive performance at daily doses of 1 to 3g of the whole algae.

AFA HAS IMMUNOSTIMULATING AND LIPID-LOWING PROPERTIES

Daily supplementation with 10 and 15% AFA reduces cholesterol and plasma triglyceride levels (Kushak et al., 1999).

Furthermore, consumption of 1.5g of AFA in 21 volunteers causes a rapid change in immune cell trafficking without direct activation. Indeed, AFA is associated with lymphocyte and monocyte mobilization. Furthermore, AFA consumption leads to rapid recruitment of NK (Natural Killer) cells within tissues and a decrease in the phagocytic activity of neutrophil granulocytes (Jensen et al., 2000). The rapid onset of effect (2 hours after consumption) and the relatively low active dose suggest gut-to-brain axis nerve activation. Therefore, AFA augments normal immune surveillance without directly activating the immune system (Jensen et al., 2001; Jensen et al., 2011).

Three high-molecular-weight polysaccharides have been identified in AFA, partially explaining its immunostimulatory activity (Pugh et al., 2001; Pugh & Pasco, 2001). In vitro immunostimulatory data report that these polysaccharides are 100 to 1000 times more active than polysaccharides used clinically for chemotherapy (Pugh et al., 2001).

A PATENTED AND CLINICALLY TESTED AFA EXTRACT MOBILIZES BONE MARROW STEM CELLS

Stem cells constitute our body's natural repair and renewal system (Drapeau et al., 2012). Every day, stem cells are mobilized from the bone marrow to tissues to repair or renew tissues as needed (injury, lesions, natural aging, etc.).

The human body's natural repair system is composed of specific cells, adult stem cells, primarily from the bone marrow. These cells act on other tissues by being mobilized by specific compounds—such as G-CSF, for example (Leone et al., 2006)—and by migrating through the damaged tissue, guided by a second generation of a specific compound—SDF-1 in particular (Swenson et al., 2008), and then multiplying and differentiating in local tissue. This repair mechanism enables the renewal of the body's tissues and organs, maintaining the health of the entire organism.

An AFA extract containing an L-selectin inhibitor has been shown to mobilize bone marrow stem cells 1 hour after consumption (Jensen et al., 2007).

1g of this AFA extract causes a 25-30% increase in the number of circulating stem cells (CD34+ cells), representing 3-6 million additional new circulating stem cells in healthy volunteers (Jensen et al., 2007).

This specific AFA extract contains an L-selectin inhibitor (Jensen et al., 2007), an adhesion protein that helps maintain stem cells in the bone marrow (Mendez-Ferrer & Frenette, 2007). By inhibiting the action of L-selectin, AFA leads to mobilization, that is, an increase in the release of stem cells into the blood in a natural and physiological way.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS?

The benefit of having more stem cells in circulation comes from having more stem cells available for repair. The clinical benefits associated with mobilizing stem cells from the bone marrow are numerous (Drapeau et al., 2012). These observations have been made in a variety of organs, such as the heart (Leone et al., 2006) or the pancreas (Voltarelli et al., 2007).

STEM CELL MOBILIZATION WITH AFA EXTRACT ENABLES GREATER MUSCLE REGENERATION FOLLOWING INJURY

Recipient female mice were irradiated and then transplanted with GFP+ fluorescent stem cells (green fluorescent) from donor male mice. Muscle injury was performed in the tibia using cardiotoxin injection.

Consumption of AFA extract led to a higher incorporation of fluorescent bone marrow-derived GFP+ stem cells in the injured tibia compared to the control (Drapeau et al., 2010). AFA extract thus led to greater muscle regeneration following a cardiotoxin-induced injury model.

STEM CELL MOBILIZATION WITH AFA EXTRACT IMPROVES LIVER DAMAGE FROM FIBROSIS.

Liver fibrosis is often the result of chronic liver damage leading to excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix and scar tissue. If not properly treated, liver fibrosis can lead to cirrhosis, which induces irreversible damage to the liver structure, progressively impairing liver function.

Consumption of an AFA extract in a rodent model of thioacetamide-induced liver fibrosis for 4 weeks was associated with mobilization of circulating CD34+ stem cells and a reduction in liver fibrosis compared to the placebo-treated control group. Furthermore, histopathological scores were significantly improved only in the treated group. Finally, an improvement in liver function, measured by a decrease in AST and ALT enzymes, was observed in the group treated with the AFA extract. Furthermore, hepatic proliferation (mitosis) was detected in the treated group, associated with an increase in VEGF expression and a decrease in pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as TNF-α. These results suggest that AFA extract stimulates reparative phenomena at the hepatic level in cases of fibrosis via the mobilization of stem cells (El Akabawy et al., 2015).

STEM CELL MOBILIZATION WITH AFA EXTRACT LEADS TO PANCREATIC CELL REGENERATION IN INSULIN-DEPENDENT DIABETES

Rats made diabetic by streptozotocin treatment received the equivalent of 6 capsules for humans, or a placebo. Consumption of the AFA extract led to an increase in the number of circulating CD34+ stem cells. Furthermore, after 2 and 4 weeks, an increase in the number of CD34+ stem cells in the pancreas, alongside an increase in the number of insulin+ cells in the islets of Langerhans, was observed in the treated group, suggesting a differentiation of CD34+ cells into insulin-producing cells. Finally, after 4 weeks of consuming the AFA extract, a significant reduction in hyperglycemia of approximately 50% was observed (Ismail et al., 2013).

This study was confirmed at the clinical level by a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study in which type 2 diabetics consumed approximately 1 g of AFA extract per day for 12 weeks. Consumption of AFA extract was associated with a significant decrease in fasting blood glucose and Hb1ac after 12 weeks, compared to the control group consuming the placebo (Sanaei et al., 2015).

AFA EXTRACT CONSUMPTION IS ASSOCIATED WITH FASTER RECOVERY IN PROFESSIONAL ATHLETES FOLLOWING A NON-FRACTURE ANKLE SPRAIN

Ankle injuries are common among athletes, particularly professional soccer players. The challenge for coaches and trainers is to optimize recovery and healing time so that players return to the field as soon as possible, especially if several players are injured simultaneously during a competitive period.

Twelve professional soccer players with an ankle injury without fracture and reduced mobility were randomized to a control group receiving conventional treatment and a group receiving conventional treatment and the equivalent of 3.4g of AFA extract per day for 4 weeks. Conventional treatment consisted of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) if needed, immobilization, application of cold packs to the injury, and rehabilitation exercises. The team physician assessed injury progression using sonograms on days 0, 1, 7, 14, and 21. The Karlsson Peterson score for ankle function was assessed throughout the treatment period.

Consumption of AFA extract was associated with a significant reduction in pain scores, improved mobility and joint stability compared to the control group that received conventional treatment (Garber et al., 2015). The treated group recovered one week before the other players and was able to return to the field sooner, conferring an advantage in injury management without fractures during periods of competition or intense training.