A Beginner’s Guide To Aphanizomenon-Flos Aquae (AFA)
Algae has been generating quite a buzz in the health and wellness world. In particular, specific types of blue-green algae like spirulina and chlorella have quickly risen to fame as powerful health-supporting superfoods, and for good reason – these strains of blue-green algae have a lot to offer for your health.
However, spirulina and chlorella aren’t the only types of blue-green algae out there that have a lot to offer to your body. In fact, there is one less-known strain that is even more powerful and impressive–Aphanizomenon flos-aquae (AFA).
What is AFA?
While other types of blue-green algae, like chlorella and spirulina, can be found all over the world, that isn’t the case for AFA. This rare strain of algae will only grow in very specific aquatic environments, and there is only one lake in the world that has just the right environmental properties for it to grow in abundance–that lake is Klamath Lake, which is located in Southern Oregon.
In addition to being rare, this powerful algae is also 100% wild-crafted, which means it grows naturally in the wild without human intervention, is harvested using non-invasive techniques, and is processed naturally.
The Nutrient Profile of AFA
While being so rare definitely makes AFA amazing by itself, it isn’t the only thing that makes AFA stand out from other types of blue-green algae. It also has an extremely impressive nutrient profile.
Amino Acids
As the building blocks of all the proteins in your body, amino acids are vital to your overall health. They help with a variety of bodily functions such as repairing tissue, building muscle, and supporting both digestive and cognitive health. While there are hundreds of different amino acids found in nature, only 20 of them are essential to the human body–and AFA is one of the few foods that contains all of them!
Essential Fatty Acids
Essential fatty acids (EFAs) are useful for a number of functions in your body, including supporting cognitive function and maintaining healthy skin and hair. With 45% of the lipids (fats) that are found in AFA being EFAs, it’s easy to see that they make up a large part of this algae’s nutrient composition. What’s more, AFA contains both Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids in a ratio that is considered ideal for your body.
Phenylethylamine (PEA)
This naturally occurring compound is often referred to as a “feel-good” chemical because it is a natural stimulant for your brain. This small compound has a big impact on things like focus, cognitive function, mood, and emotion. While PEA can be found in foods like chocolate and eggs, large amounts of this brain-boosting compound can also be found in AFA.
Phytopigments
Phytopigments are the compounds responsible for giving plants and algae their natural colors. With that being said, these colorful pigments also come with a number of health benefits, mostly because they are known to have powerful antioxidant properties. AFA contains phytopigments like chlorophyll, phycocyanin, beta-carotene, and more.
Vitamins and Minerals
There are a number of vitamins and minerals that are important to include in your diet, and AFA contains a large variety of them. This single strain of algae contains 13 different vitamins, including vitamins A, C, E, K, and many of the B complex vitamins. On top of that, AFA also has more than 60 trace minerals, with some of the most important ones being potassium, zinc, iron, manganese, and calcium.
Antioxidants
As your body’s best line of defense against harmful free radicals, antioxidants are crucial for protecting every cell in our body from being damaged by oxidative stress. A number of different nutrients found in AFA are well-known to be powerful antioxidants, including copper, zinc, chlorophyll, phycocyanin, and vitamins A, C, and E. Furthermore, AFA also contains components like L-cystine, glycine, and L-glutamate, which combine to create glutathione, which is one of the most powerful antioxidants out there.
Adding AFA to Your Routine
With such a rich nutrient profile, AFA has a lot to offer when it comes to your overall health. In fact, studies have shown that consuming this near-perfect superfood can benefit your immune system, your gut health, your cardiovascular system, and so much more. The best part is that adding it to your daily routine is simple! All you need to do is decide between capsules, tablets, or powder.
Since AFA is only found in one place in the world, it’s not something you will find on the shelf at your local grocery store, but that doesn’t mean it’s hard to find. There are many different supplements on the market today that contain this powerful ingredient, which means you are guaranteed to find one that fits your current lifestyle. Would you prefer the convenience of adding a single supplement to your daily routine? Then look for AFA in capsule or tablet form. If you’d prefer the chance to get a little creative, then consider finding an AFA powder that you can easily mix into your favorite drink or smoothie recipes.
No matter which route you choose, keep in mind that quality and safety are of the utmost priority. Not all supplements, AFA or otherwise, are created equal. Take the time to do your research, read the labels, and choose an all-natural AFA supplement that is backed up by quality and safety certifications. Not sure where to start? Registration to the FDA’s Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and certified organic are good places to start. With these types of accreditations to back it up, you can ensure that the product you are choosing is high-quality, safe, and contains exactly what is on the label.
Nourish Your Body with AFA
If you’re on the lookout for a safe, high-quality AFA supplement that you can feel confident taking, look no further than supplements from New Earth.
With over 30 years of experience harvesting and processing AFA, New Earth has perfected the art of preserving this amazing superfood and all that it has to offer all the way through the manufacturing process so that you can take advantage of everything it has to offer.
What’s more? Here at New Earth, we understand the importance of quality and safety when it comes to supplements, which is why we maintain our Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) registration with NSF International, which is the gold standard in the food industry. We’ve also taken the time to make many of our products Certified Kosher, Certified Halal, and USDA Certified Organic, so you can rest assured that you are getting a safe, high-quality product every time.
The best part is, you can try any of our AFA capsules, tablets, or powders risk-free with our 90-day money-back guarantee.
At New Earth we are on a mission to positively impact the health of every body and soul we come in contact with. We specialize in producing third-party certified, organic whole food supplements including a variety of probiotics, and digestive support. Our supplements feature a rare, yet highly nutritious superfood, Aphanizomenon flos-aquae (AFA). Also known as organic Wild Microalgae®, AFA is a unique type of microalgae that is available in many forms including tablets, capsules, and powders all designed to help you on your journey to holistic wellness. The best part? We offer a 90-day money-back risk-free guarantee on all of our products. Visit our website to learn more.
