Full Press Release Details
A Statement on BMAA in Spirulina
platensis, A. maxima)
IRVINE, CA (MARKET WIRE) 04/13/2005 In response to the article, Diverse
taxa of cyanobacteria produce b-N-methylamino-L-Alanine, a neurotoxic amino
acid by Cox et al., which appears in the April 2005 issue of the Proceedings
of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS 102: 5074-5078), Earthrise
Nutritionals, LLC and Cyanotech Corporation provide the following response to
alleviate concern among consumers of Spirulina.
1. While the study shows that a potential toxin, BMAA, occurs in
diverse groups of cyanobacteria, it did not test BMAA in Spirulina
(Arthrospira). Spirulina is not mentioned in the list of 30 types of
cyanobacteria tested.
2. The analysis of BMAA was done on live laboratory cultures of
cyanobacteria. It is, therefore, impossible to make a correlation between this
study and Spirulina, the dietary supplement that has a recorded history of safe
3. It should also be pointed out that the connection between BMAA and
Alzheimer s disease is far from certain. Dr. Paul Alan Cox s group has not made
any definite connection in their report, and other experts in the field have
expressed their reservations.
4. We have requested that Dr. Cox test our Spirulina products in his
laboratory in order to determine the presence or absence of BMAA.
5. When similar studies found that microcystins were present in a wide
variety of cyanobacteria, Earthrise and Cyanotech took the proactive step of
funding research toward the development of methods for the analysis of
microcystins and began certifying their products as microcystin-free. We have
been doing so for almost 10 years. Our microcystin method was developed in
cooperation with Dr. Wayne Carmichael, a leading expert in cyanobacterial
toxins. We will approach leading experts in this area and take similar steps to
address the current problem.
6. The following statement from Health Canada
(www.hc-sc.gc.ca/english/media/releases/1999/99114ebk.htm) is further proof
that Spirulina does not contain microcystins: As a blue-green algae, Spirulina
products were included in the sampling and testing conducted by Health Canada.
Results of the testing, conducted at two separate laboratories, indicate that
no microcystins were detected in blue-green algal products containing only
Spirulina. Based on these results, products made only from Spirulina are no
longer being considered a microcystin-related health risk.
7. We have not received any complaint concerning health problems
related to neurological conditions. On the contrary, the antioxidant and
anti-inflammatory effects of Spirulina have been demonstrated in several animal
studies. These studies have shown that the antioxidants in Spirulina scavenge
oxygen radicals and help promote brain health.
8. Moreover, the safety of Spirulina has been confirmed in many ways:
| Centuries of safe human use as food by the Aztecs in Mexico and the Kanembu in Chad. | |
| Rigorous safety testing including one of the most comprehensive Spirulina animal studies sponsored by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) using rats and mice. In this study, Spirulina was incorporated into the food at 10-35% of the total diet. There were no problems with second- or third-generation reproduction, fertility, lactation or birth defects found. No cancer-causing properties were found, as well as no significant problems with heavy metals, nucleic acids, pesticides or bacteria. Subsequent tests in many countries have proven the safety of Spirulina. |
9. In conclusion, we also want to stress that Spirulina produced by the
two companies is determined GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) by scientific
procedures and after FDA review. For details, please refer to the following FDA
website: www.cfsan.fda.gov/~rdb/opa-g127.html
Earthrise Nutritionals, LLC is the leading producer and a 25-year
pioneer in the field of Spirulina production and marketing, and a leader in
research on various applications of Spirulina. Corporate offices are located in
Irvine, California, with production facilities in Calipatria, California.
Earthrise is part of the worldwide DIC Group of companies, based in Tokyo. For
more information on Earthrise products, visit www.earthrise.com or contact
Lance Sigal, Director of Marketing, or Ron Henson, V.P. Bulk Sales, 2151
Michelson Drive, Suite 258, Irvine, CA 91612, 800-949-7473.
Note to Editors: In the first sentence, the b in b-N-methylamino-L-Alanine
is being used to represent the Greek letter beta, a symbol which will not transmit
SOURCE: Earthrise Nutritionals