Organic Wild Microalgae (Aphanizomenon flos aquae or AFA), wildcrafted by New Earth from the waters of Upper Klamath Lake, is the “crème de la crème” of all microalgae. It is the only edible freshwater microalgae in the world that grows abundantly in the wild.

Wild Microalgae possesses an impressive nutritional profile. It is this unique combination of a wide variety of nutrients that makes this microalgae an amazing choice for dietary supplementation.

Wild Microalgae is a species of cyanobacteria known as blue-green microalgae because of two primary pigments that are contained in this organism; chlorophyll and phycocyanin.

Chlorophyll: Chlorophyll is the green pigment in plants that is essential for the process of photosynthesis, whereby radiant energy from the sun is converted into chemical energy for the life processes of the plant. Without chlorophyll, plants would die. Chlorophyll is also an excellent source of antioxidants, substances that fight damaging free-radicals, and has many beneficial nutritional properties. Wild Microalgae possesses an impressively high content of chlorophyll.

Phycocyanin (PC): This blue pigment is responsible for the intense color of our microalgae. The word “phycocyanin” comes from the Greek words “phyco” meaning algae, and “kyanos” meaning “blue-green.” Wild Microalgae contains approximately 15% phycocyanin by dry weight. Phycocyanin is classified as a phycobilirubin—a light-harvesting protein that contributes to photosynthesis. Phycocyanin possesses a variety of beneficial health properties, but the most important property is that it acts as an antioxidant to help neutralize the damaging effects of free radicals, unstable molecules that can damage our cells.

Chlorophyll and phycocyanin are not the only important pigments possessed by organic Wild Microalgae. The microalgae contains a significant amount of beta-carotene, an orange pigment that is the precursor to vitamin A and powerful antioxidant. Once digested, the human body converts beta-carotene to vitamin A.

PEA: Wild Microalgae also contains PEA—phenylethylamine—the “feel good” chemical compound. PEA is a naturally occurring alkaloid chemical compound made from the amino acid phenylalanine and is linked to energy, mood, and focus. PEA exists naturally in the human central nervous system and is responsible for the emotional experience associated with pleasure and mental awareness; it supports mental energy, mental clarity, concentration, and attention, and is a known natural mood enhancer.

Wild Microalgae’s nutritional profile also includes essential amino acids, minerals, and vitamins:

• Amino acids: Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins. There are 20 essential amino acids, and AFA contains all of them! Each amino acid offers a variety of health benefits, but together they provide vital fuel and energy; build and maintain neuropeptides; and help biomodulate emotions and moods. Wild Microalgae’s amino acid profile closely matches the Food & Nutrition council’s ideal profile.
• Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs): Our Wild Microalgae also supplies essential fatty acids in an all-natural form. Approximately 45% of the lipids (fats) within AFA are essential fatty acids. EFAs are required for the normal growth and repair of the skin, blood vessels, and nerve tissues. AFA contains both LA (Linoleic acid, an Omega 6 fatty acid) and ALA (Alpha-Linoleic Acid, an Omega 3 fatty acid) in an ideal balance/ratio—there is more ALA than LA.
• Minerals: Wild Microalgae contains 13 notable elements and trace elements. These minerals are all utilized by the human body in trace amounts for various functions.
• Vitamins: Wild Microalgae also contains 13 different vitamins, including vitamin K and several of the B vitamins.
• Antioxidants: Wild Microalgae contains components that have antioxidant activity, such as the pigments previously mentioned. In addition, other components in AFA, such as L-cystine, glycine, and L-glutamate are used by the liver to form glutathione, a powerful antioxidant. Superoxide dismutase (SOD, a family of enzymes), also found in AFA, contributes to antioxidant activity.

As you can see, Wild Microalgae is one of the most profoundly nourishing foods on the planet, rich in a wide spectrum of phytonutrients, plant-based proteins, minerals, essential fatty acids, and other micronutrients, providing optimum nutrition for our cells and tissues.