1. Diet Saboteurs? How to Slow Aging Interstitial Cystitis
Medications and Weight Loss A Specialist’s Strategies Effective Natural Treatments
www.townsendletter.com
The Examiner of Alternative Medicine
Blue-Green Algae
An Updated Viewpoint
Prostate Cancer
Treatment DECEMBER 2010
ISSUE #329 | 7.50
An East-West Approach
A Successful German Protocol

2. ‘Why Blue-Green Algae Makes Me
Tired’: Perspective, 15 Years Later
by Christian Drapeau
In 1996, John McPartland wrote an to serve readers is to look back at these vein! Intravenous and oral intakes are
article that was published in Townsend writings from the perspective of an two completely different things when
Letter (“Why Blue-Green Algae updated viewpoint. But before doing talking about exposure to a substance.
Makes Me Tired”), expressing his so, it remains important to revisit And it’s not that proper information
exasperation at being approached by McPartland’s original contentions, was lacking; studies already
distributors from what was then called as they maintain a deceptive sense published at the time had reported
Cell Tech, a multilevel marketing of validity when published in the a no observable adverse effect level
company selling the blue-green absence of my original response. (NOAEL) – that is, not a toxic but a
algae Aphanizomenon flos-aquae McPartland listed several safe level – ranging between 40 and
(AFA). Although his exasperation was references reporting the neurotoxicity 280 µg/kg.9,10 Gary Flamm, PhD,
understandable, given the aggressive of AFA strains collected in various former director of toxicology at the
Food and Drug Administration,
So the concern is not the existence or even published an opinion in which he
the presence of toxins in food but rather their established, based on a review of the
study by Fawell et al., a NOEAL of
concentration.
100 µg/kg.9,11 Later studies established
a NOAEL of 333 to 500 µg/kg.12 As
business practice of some distributors parts of the world, leading the reader
for the oral LD 50 for microcystins,
at times, the information in his to believe that AFA from Klamath
already published at the time of these
article was extremely misleading: Lake was producing a series of
writings, it is in fact 8000 to 12,000
a very negative report about AFA, neurotoxins such as neosaxitoxin
µg/kg.13,14 It is also important to
attributing to this blue-green algae a and anatoxin.1–5 He also claimed that
mention that the potential presence
slew of problems and suggesting that AFA was producing microcystin with
of microcystin does not come from
consumers were taking significant risks an LD 50 of 50µg/kg.6 He further
AFA, but rather from co-occurring
by simply consuming this species of suggested that AFA could be a vector
Microcystis spp. at times present in
algae as a dietary supplement – which for Legionella pneumophila, the cause
Klamath Lake.15
was completely untrue. I then wrote of Legionnaires’ disease, and Vibrio
Based on all this information, a
a response correcting the various cholerae, which causes cholera, even
safe level has been established by
assertions made by McPartland, which though the quoted literature pertained
Oregon Department of Agriculture
was also published in Townsend to other species of blue-green algae
as 1 µg/g.16 This value can be put in
Letter in 1997. growing in entirely other parts of the
perspective when considering that
There would really be no point world.7,8
Flamm recommended a safe limit of
in raising this issue, nearly 15 years Aside from its overall tone, the
5 µg/g, and that the actual safe limit,
later, were it not for the fact that intent of this original letter can be
prior to the application of safety
McPartland’s article continues to easily appreciated when information
factors, is nearly 20,000 µg/day.12
resurface prominently on the Web, of this nature is thus presented.
Many foods contain a wide variety of
unaccompanied by my response. While microcystins are indeed potent
very potent toxins such as aflatoxins,
Having both articles linked together toxins when consumed in significant
a mycotoxin present in corn, peanuts,
would allow the readers to peruse levels, the LD 50 reported is that of
and other crops that is such a potent
both arguments and decide for intravenous injection of the toxins,
liver carcinogen that it is regulated
themselves, but this is not the case; which cannot in any way be compared
at 20 µg/kg, 50 times lower than the
only McPartland’s is made available. to oral intake. Just think; the LD 50
limit established for microcystins.17
Yet given that so much has been done for intravenous table salt is less than
Cabbage and related vegetables
in terms of research on AFA since the a tablespoon. Or imagine injecting a
contain glucosinolates, which have
writing of these articles, the best way tablespoon of peanut butter in your
56 TOWNSEND LETTER – DECEMBER 2010

3. goitrogenic activity. 18 Sweet potatoes several studies and by more than 30 Anabaena species can be unclear,
or legumes may produce hepatotoxins years of consumption. and proper of the algal
as well as compounds able to produce Regarding the neurotoxicity of AFA, species can at times be problematic.
neuropathy and mental confusion. 19 the concern was certainly legitimate Anabaena spp . is known to produce
Solanine may be found in potatoes, at the time due to observation of various kinds of neurotoxins.
especially when improperly stored, strains of AFA elsewhere in the world Subsequent developments in genetics
which may result in headaches, that had proven able to produce have provided the tools to determine
incoherence, hallucination, and neurotoxins. For that reason, a whether the toxic and nontoxic strains
dizziness. 20,21 Many sources of wild- stringent quality-control program had of AFA belonged to the same species.
harvested contain already been developed whereby It was shown that all the
levels of mercury, and shell sh may every single lot of AFA was tested for toxic strains of AFA were genetically
contain potent toxins responsible for the possible presence of neurotoxins. dissimilar to the nontoxic strains such
several deaths every year. 22 So the As mentioned by McPartland and later as the Klamath Lake AFA, and most
concern is not the existence or even reported, neurotoxicity was never likely belonged to the Anabaena
the presence of toxins in food but observed in Klamath Lake. 15,23 genera.25
rather their concentration. When a One aspect that caught the As for the suggestion that AFA
compound is found below levels that attention of several scientists could be a carrier of cholera and
have been established as safe, then a regarding the toxic strains of AFA was Legionnaires’ disease, I believe that the
food is considered safe. The original that they were described as atypical absence of any such case after more
letter presented the data pertaining to non-colony-forming AFA. 24 In other than 30 years of continued presence
microcystin in a manner that intimated words, the toxic strains originally in the marketplace should to
that AFA sold in the marketplace and as AFA were refute this claim; otherwise we would
was potentially toxic, which was not typical of AFA, which is a colony- have to cast the same presumption
entirely inaccurate. AFA present in forming cyanophyta, of health risk on Spirulina spp . and
the marketplace is thoroughly tested so the original could Nostoc Spp ., two other species of
and meets all standards of safety. The have been inaccurate. Indeed, the blue-green algae widely used and
safety of AFA has been established in boundary between AFA and some well known for their safety. ➤
Klamath Lake, Oregon
TOWNSEND LETTER – DECEMBER 2010 57

4. Blue-Green Algae antioxidant, protecting the cell from
certain wavelengths. Phycocyanin
3. Gentile JH. (1971) Blue green and green algal
toxins, pp. 27–67 in vol. 7 of Microbial Toxins,
Kadis S, Ciegler A, Ajl SJ, Eds., Academic Press,
➤ has been shown to have strong NY.
antioxidant and anti-inflammatory 4. Carmichael WA, Biggs DA, Peterson MA. (1979)
But the focus of McPartland’s Pharmacology of anatoxin-a, produced by the
1996 letter entirely put the emphasis properties. In various animal models freshwater cyanophyte Anabaena flos-aquae.
on presumed or potential health risk, of inflammation, phycocyanin Toxicon 17:229–236.
5. Phinney HK, Peek CA. Klamath Lake, an
ignoring the significant health benefits, was shown to reduce or prevent instance of natural enrichment. In: Transcript
which were in fact derided. At the inflammation.35,36 Phycocyanin has of 1960 Seminar on Algae and Metropolitan
time, little research had been done to been shown to prevent certain forms Wastes. Robert A. Taft Sanitary Engineering
Center, Cincinnati, OH; 1961.
document AFA’s health benefits, so of colitis.37 The mechanism of action 6. Hunter PR. Cyanobacteria and human health. J
little could be said from a scientific was identified as the ability to block Med Microb. 1992;36:301–302.
the production of the inflammatory 7. Tison DL, Pope DH, Cherry WB, Fliermans CB.
standpoint. However, since 1996, a Growth of Legionella pneumophila in association
significant research effort has focused eicosanoids LTB4 and PGE2.38,39 with blue-green algae (cyanobacteria). Appl
on AFA and produced compelling Phycocyanin has also been shown to Environ Microbiol. 1980;39:456–459.
be one of the strongest natural COX-2 8. Islam MS, Miah MA, Hasan MK, Sack RB, Albert
data pertaining to its health-promoting MJ. Detection of non-culturable Vibrio cholerae
effects. First, AFA was shown in (cyclooxygenase) inhibitors.40 O1 associated with a cyanobacterium from an
a double-blind crossover study to More recently, AFA was shown aquatic environment in Bangladesh. Trans R
Soc Trop Med Hyg. 1994;88:298–299.
trigger the migration of natural killer to contain an L-selectin blocker that 9. Fawell JK. Toxins from blue-green algae:
(NK) cells from the blood to tissues, acts as a mild stem cell mobilizer. toxicological assessment of microcystin-LR and
within one hour of consumption.26 Consumption of a proprietary extract a method for its determination in water. WRC
Foundation for Water Research; 1994.
AFA was also shown to stimulate of AFA that concentrates the L-selectin 10. Falconer IR, Burch MD, Steffensen DA, Choice
NK cell activity.27 NK cells are a blocker was shown to lead to an M, Coverdale OR. Toxicity of blue-green alga
average increase of 25% to 30% in (cyanobacterium) Microcystis aeruginosa in
type of cytotoxic lymphocyte that drinking water to growing pigs, as an animal
constitutes a major component of the number of circulating stem cells model for human injury and risk assessment.
the innate immune system. They within one hour of consumption.41 Environ Toxicol Water Qual. 1994;9:131–139.
11. Oregon Department of Agriculture, December
play an important role in eliminating The ability of bone marrow stem 1997.
cancerous cells as well as cells infected cells to differentiate into a wide 12. Schaeffer DJ, Malpas PB, Barton LL. Risk
by viruses. AFA was also shown variety of specialized somatic cells assessment of microcystin in dietary
Aphanizomenon flos-aquae. Ecotoxicol Environ
to contain polysaccharides having such as cardiomyocytes, hepatocytes, Saf. 1999;44(1):73–80.
immune-enhancing properties.28,29 pancreatic ß-cells, skin cells and skin 13. Falconer IR, Smith, JV, Jackson ARB, Jones A,
appendages, and even neurons has Runnegar, MTC. Oral toxicity of a bloom of
Over the years, one of the most the cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa
commonly reported benefits of been well documented.42–47 In essence, administered to mice over periods up to 1 year.
consuming AFA has been mood bone marrow stem cells constitute the J Toxicol Environ Health. 1988;24:291–305.
14. Yoshida T, Makita Y, Nagata S, et al. Acute oral
elevation, as well as a feeling of mental natural repair system of the body.48 toxicity of microcystin-LR, a cyanobacterial
energy and clarity, both suggestive of It is not surprising, therefore, that a hepatotoxin, in mice. Nat Toxins. 1997;5(3):91–
the presence of a neuroactive amino higher number of circulating stem 95.
15. Carmichael WW, Drapeau C, Anderson
acid or a biogenic amine. In spite cells has been linked to greater health DM. Harvesting and quality control of
of extensive testing demonstrating outcomes.48–58 When tested in an Aphanizomenon flos-aquae from Klamath
animal model, this proprietary extract Lake for human dietary use. J Appl Phycol.
the contrary, McPartland had stated 2000;12:585–595.
that this effect was likely due to the of AFA was shown to enhance tissue 16. Oregon Department of Agriculture. Statutory
presence of anatoxin in AFA, which repair after cardiotoxin-induced injury Reference 603-25-190.
to the tibialis muscle.59 17. Stoloff L, Van Egmond HP, Park DL. Rationales
he claimed acted like cocaine.15 But for the establishment of limits and regulations
further investigation later revealed Although some of the concerns for mycotoxins. Food Addit Contam.
that AFA is a significant source of the raised nearly 15 years ago were 1991;8(2):213–221.
18. Fahey JW, Zalcmann AT, Talalay P. The chemical
biogenic amine phenylethylamine legitimate, in spite of a lack of diversity and distribution of glucosinolates and
(PEA).30 PEA has been coined the evidence of negative effects, the isothiocyanates among plants. Phytochemistry.
“molecule of love” and is well known past decade has clearly established 2001;56(1):5–51.
19. Wilson BJ, Yang DT, Boyd MR. Toxicity of
to alleviate depression and elevate the safety of AFA and has put into mould-damaged sweet potatoes (Ipomoea
mood, and it plays an important role evidence significant health-promoting batatas). Nature 1970;227(5257):521–522.
properties. 20. Barceloux DG. Potatoes, tomatoes, and solanine
in affective behavior as well as the toxicity (Solanum tuberosum L., Solanum
pathogenesis of learning disabilities lycopersicum L.). Dis Mon. 2009;55(6):391–
and attention deficit/hyperactivity Notes 402.
1. Gorham PR. Toxic algae. In: Jackson DF, ed. Algae 21. Beier RC. Natural pesticides and bioactive
disorder. 31–34 and Man. NY: Plenum Press; 1964:307–336. components in foods. Rev Environ Contam
Phycocyanin is the blue pigment 2. Alam M, Euler KL. Chemical studies on toxins Toxicol. 1990;113:47–137.
from the blue-green alga Aphanizomenon 22. Kumar KP, Kumar SP, Nair GA. Risk assessment
present in all cyanophyta. In the flos-aquae. In: WW Carichael, ed. The Water of the amnesic shellfish poison, domoic
living algal cell, phycocyanin serves Environment: Algal Toxins and Health. New acid, on animals and humans. J Environ Biol.
as a protein storage unit and an York: Plenum Press; 1981:405–414. 2009;30(3):319–325.
58 TOWNSEND LETTER – DECEMBER 2010

5. 23. Stemtech. Frequently Asked Questions
[website]. http://www.stemtechbiz.com/FAQ_
biliprotein from Spirulina platensis. Biochem
Biophys Res Commun. 2000;277(3):599–603. Blue Green Algae
sub.aspx#review_neurotoxicity. 41. Jensen GS, Hart AN, Zaske LA, et al. Mobilization
24. Sawyer PJ, Gentile JH, Sasner JJ. Demonstration of human CD34+ CD133+ and CD34+
of a toxin from Aphanizomenon flos-aquae (L.) CD133(-) stem cells in vivo by consumption with hyperhomocysteinemia. Arch Med Res.
Ralfs. Can J Microbiol. 1968;14(11):1199–1204 of an extract from Aphanizomenon flos-aquae- 2006;37(4):484–489.
25. Li, R, Carmichael, WW, Liu, Y, and -related to modulation of CXCR4 expression by 56. Westerweel PE, Luijten RK, Hoefer IE, Koomans
Watanabe, MM. Taxonomic re-evaluation of an L-selectin ligand? Cardiovasc Revasc Med. HA, Derksen RH, Verhaar MC. Hematopoietic
Aphanizomenon flos-aquae NH-5 based on 2007;8(3):189–202. and endothelial progenitor cells are deficient in
morphological and 16 rRNA gene sequences. 42. Deb A, Wang S, Skelding KA, et al. Bone quiescent systemic lupus erythematosus. Ann
Hydrobiologica. 2000;438:99–105. marrow-derived cardiomyocytes are present Rheum Dis. 2007;66(7):865–870.
26. Jensen GS, Ginsberg DI, Huerta P, Citton M, in adult human heart: A study of gender- 57. Moonen JR, de Leeuw K, van Seijen XJ, et al.
Drapeau C. Consumption of Aphanizomenon mismatched bone marrow transplantation Reduced number and impaired function of
fl os-aquae has rapid effects on the circulation patients. Circulation. 2003;107(9):1247–1249. circulating progenitor cells in patients with
and function of immune cells in humans. JANA. 43. Körbling M, Katz RL, Khanna A, et al. systemic lupus erythematosus. Arthritis Res
2000;2(3):50–58. Hepatocytes and epithelial cells of donor origin Ther. 2007;9(4):R84.
27. Hart AN, Zaske LA, Patterson KM, Drapeau in recipients of peripheral-blood stem cells. N 58. Choi JH, Kim KL, Huh W, et al. Decreased
C, Jensen GS. Natural killer cell activation Engl. J Med. 2002;346(10):738–746. number and impaired angiogenic function of
and modulation of chemokine receptor profile 44. Ianus A, Holz GG, Theise ND, Hussain MA. endothelial progenitor cells in patients with
in vitro by an extract from the cyanophyta In vivo derivation of glucose-competent chronic renal failure. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc
Aphanizomenon flos-aquae. J Med Food. pancreatic endocrine cells from bone marrow Biol. 2004;24(7):1246–1252.
2007;10(3):435–441. without evidence of cell fusion. J Clin Invest. 59. Drapeau C, Antarr D, Ma H, et al. Mobilization
28. Pugh N, Ross SA, ElSohly HN, ElSohly MA, 2003;111:843–850. of bone marrow stem cells with StemEnhance®
Pasco DS. Isolation of three high molecular 45. Hasegawa Y, Ogihara T, Yamada T, et al. Bone improves muscle regeneration in cardiotoxin-
weight polysaccharide preparations with marrow (BM) transplantation promotes beta-cell induced muscle injury. Cell Cycle.
potent immunostimulatory activity from regeneration after acute injury through BM cell 2010;May;9(9):1819–1823.
Spirulina platensis, aphanizomenon flos- mobilization. Endocrinology 2007;148(5):2006–
aquae and Chlorella pyrenoidosa. Planta Med. 2015. Christian Drapeau
2001;67(8):737–742. 46. Cantürk NZ, Vural B, Esen N, et al. Effects of
29. Pugh N, Pasco DS. Characterization of human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating 1011 Calle Amanecer
monocyte activation by a water soluble factor on incisional wound healing in an San Clemente, California 92673
preparation of Aphanizomenon flos-aquae. experimental diabetic rat model. Endocr Res.
Phytomedicine. 2001;8(6):445–453. 1999;25(1):105–116.
cdrapeau@stemtechmail.com
30. Drapeau C. Antidepressant properties of the 47. Mezey E, Key S, Vogelsang G, Szalayova I,
blue-green alga Aphanizomenon flos-aquae. Lange GD, Crain B. Transplanted bone marrow
Annual meeting of the American Holistic generates new neurons in human brains. Proc
Medicine Association. Toronto; May 2002. Natl Acad Sci USA. 2003;100, 1364–1369.
31. Sabelli H, Fink P, Fawcett J, Tom C. Sustained 48. Drapeau C. Cracking the Stem Cell Code.
antidepressant effect of PEA replacement. J Sutton Hart Press; 2010:254.
Christian
Neuropsychiatry Clin Neurosci. 1996;8(2):168– 48. Werner N, Kosiol S, Schiegl T, et al. Circulating
171. endothelial progenitor cells and cardiovascular Drapeau is an
32. Sabelli HC, Fawcett J, Gusovsky F, Javaid J, outcomes. N Engl J Med. 2005;353(10):999– author, research
Edwards J, Jeffriess H. Urinary phenyl acetate: 1007. scientist
a diagnostic test for depression? Science. 49. Vasa M, Fichtlscherer S, Aicher A, et al. Number and neuro­
1983;220(4602):1187–1188. and migratory activity of circulating endothelial physiologist
33. Sabelli HC, Mosnaim AD. Phenylethylamine progenitor cells inversely correlate with risk with over 13
hypothesis of affective behavior. Am J Psychiat. factors for coronary artery disease. Circ Res. years of research
1974;131:695–699. 2001;89(1):E1–7. experience in
34. Baker GB, Bornstein RA, Rouget AC, Ashton SE, 50. Marchesi C, Belicchi M, Meregalli M, et al. the fields of
van Muyden JC, Coutts RT. Phenylethylaminergic Correlation of circulating CD133+ progenitor natural foods
mechanisms in attention-deficit disorder. Biol subclasses with a mild phenotype in Duchenne
and nutrition. While pursuing scientific research
Psychiatry. 1991;29(1):15–22. muscular dystrophy patients. PLoS ONE.
in collaboration with various universities and
35. Romay C, Armesto J, Remirez D, González 2008;3(5):e2218.
R, Ledon N, García I. Antioxidant and anti- 51. Diller GP, van Eijl S, Okonko DO, et al. research centers on the health benefits of
inflammatory properties of C-phycocyanin from Circulating endothelial progenitor cells in certain botanical raw materials, he has lectured
blue-green algae. Inflamm Res. 1998;47(1):36– patients with Eisenmenger syndrome and on nutrition to thousands of people since 1994,
41. idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension. presenting profound health information and
36. Romay C, Ledón N, González R. Further studies Circulation. 2008;117(23):3020–3030. insights with clarity and humor.
on anti-inflammatory activity of phycocyanin in 52. Junhui Z, Xingxiang W, Guosheng F, Yunpeng
Mr. Drapeau has been the director of research
some animal models of inflammation. Inflamm S, Furong Z, Junzhu C. Reduced number and
Res. 1998;47(8):334–338. activity of circulating endothelial progenitor cells and development at Cell Tech International
37. González R, Rodríguez S, Romay C, et al. Anti- in patients with idiopathic pulmonary arterial and then Desert Lake Technologies, before
inflammatory activity of phycocyanin extract in hypertension. Respir Med. 2008;102(7):1073– cofounding Stemtech HealthSciences and
acetic acid-induced colitis in rats. Pharmacol 1079. becoming its chief science officer. Based on his
Res. 1999;39(1):55–59. 53. Herbrig K, Haensel S, Oelschlaegel U, Pistrosch own research as well as the review of research
38. Romay C, Ledón N, González R. Phycocyanin F, Foerster S, Passauer J. Endothelial dysfunction done by numerous other scientific teams, Mr.
extract reduces leukotriene B4 levels in patients with rheumatoid arthritis is associated Drapeau and his collaborators proposed in
in arachidonic acid-induced mouse-ear with a reduced number and impaired function 2001 a breakthrough theory on adult stem
inflammation test. J Pharm Pharmacol. of endothelial progenitor cells. Ann Rheum Dis. cell physiology. He is the coinventor of the
1999;51(5):641–642. 2006;65(2):157–163. revolutionary product StemEnhance.
39. Romay C, Ledón N, González R. Effects 54. Grisar J, Aletaha D, Steiner CW, et al. Depletion
of phycocyanin extract on prostaglandin of endothelial progenitor cells in the peripheral Mr. Drapeau received a bachelor’s degree
E2 levels in mouse ear inflammation test. blood of patients with rheumatoid arthritis. in neurophysiology from McGill University,
Arzneimittelforschung. 2000;50(12):1106– Circulation. 2005;111(2):204–211. Montreal, in 1987 and a master’s degree from
1109. 55. Zhu J, Wang X, Chen J, Sun J, Zhang F. the Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery
40. Reddy CM, Bhat VB, Kiranmai G, Reddy MN, Reduced number and activity of circulating from the Montreal Neurological Institute,
Reddanna P, Madyastha KM. Selective inhibition endothelial progenitor cells from patients McGill University, Montreal, in 1991.
of cyclooxygenase-2 by C-phycocyanin, a
u
TOWNSEND LETTER – DECEMBER 2010 59