Posted by JLxx on May 3, 2005, at 17:05:30
In reply to what brand of PEA....can't find it on the web (nm) » linkadge, posted by joebob on May 2, 2005, at 12:21:35
None of the links below are converting (?). What a drag! I put them each on a separate line so they're easier to copy/paste.
I found this, said to be PEA but it's actually derived from blue green algae apparently:
http://www.supersmart.com/dev/productdetail.php?lang=eng&id=617
This is the other product they recommend there, which is PEA, plus Mucuna pruriens extract, Bacopa monnieri, Ginkgo biloba, Siberian Ginseng:
http://www.supersmart.com/dev/productdetail.php?id=474
That is a European site apparently. According to their blurb, 10 mg of PEA is needed to relieve depression.
You can get the blue green algae called Blue Manna containing PEA as well as phycocyanin which apparently is a COX-2 inhibitor:
Blue Manna:
There's 8-12 mg per gram they say. Another site:
http://www.naturalzing.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=353
One third teaspoon provides 8 mg, they say, so, 62.5 servings per container.
Ancient Sun is the company that makes it, and they also have capsules as well as bulk amounts:
http://www.ancientsunnutrition.com/
PubMed on phycocyanin COX-2 inhibitor, 4 studies listed:
There are other sources of blue green algae as well as more info on the web.
Here's an article on blue-green algae on Quakwatch:
http://www.quackwatch.org/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/algae.html
Assessing Potential Health Risks from Microcystin Toxins in Blue-Green Algae Dietary Supplements
http://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/members/2000/108p435-439gilroy/gilroy-full.html
"Although less is known about the possible health effects from exposure to lower doses of microcystins, there is increasing concern that chronic exposure to low levels may also pose a significant health risk. Potential tumor promotion is a primary concern...
Continuous low-level exposure to microcystins may also result in hepatic accumulation. Studies have shown that, once taken up by the liver, microcystin excretion occurs very slowly...
These results raise concerns that long-term exposure to even very low levels of microcystins may be significant, and could ultimately result in liver cancer and other liver diseases.
Although it is widely recognized that exposure to microcystins in drinking water represents a significant health risk, the potential for microcystin exposure may be substantially greater for consumers of BGA products.
A key element for ensuring the safety of BGA products is adequate product testing and batch characterization. ...
The present findings suggest that batch homogeneity cannot always be assumed, and underscore the need for adequate batch characterization. Overall, these results indicate that microcystin contamination of BGA products can be variable, and that regular monitoring, extensive testing, and thorough batch mixing is necessary to ensure the safety of BGA products. ...
For example, one reported effect of low-level exposure to microcystins is gastrointestinal (GI) disturbance (2,3,5), and GI disturbance is apparently a fairly common experience of BGA consumers. MedWatch has received several reports of nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea associated with BGA consumption (51)."
That concludes with, "assuming that these products are entirely safe may not, in fact, be a safe assumption."
This report by Health Canada says, Last updated 2003-06-25
BLUE-GREEN ALGAE (CYANOBACTERIA) AND THEIR TOXINS :
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hecs-sesc/water/factsheets/blue_green_algae.htm
About supplements, they say,
"Health Canada is advising consumers to apply caution in their use of the products until evidence of their safety can be firmly established. In particular, adult consumers who choose to use products containing non-Spirulina blue-green algae should do so for short periods of time only. However, consumers can safely use products made only from Spirulina blue-green algae as these were found to be free of microcystins."
Apparently Ancient Sun BGA is not spirulina derived. I couldn't see any reassurances on their site about microcystins either.
Cell-tech, which is a multi-level marketing company, has a lot of commentary on criticism of blue green algae:
http://www.celltech.com/resources/info_central/response.asp
I know somebody who takes Cell-tech BGA, it cleared up her allergies after a lifetime of prescription drugs for them.
Interesting article that discusses various aspects of the controversy including that detractors say it's addictive. That suggests to me that it really does have PEA.
Blue Green Algae – Superfood or Pond Scum?
http://www.life.ca/nl/68/algae.html
And getting back to PEA, another source is some weight loss formulas, though they don't say how much PEA is in them. A common one is Xenadrine EFX:
http://www.bodybuilding-supplements-for-you.com/supplement-reviews/xenadrine-efx-review.htm
And then there's chocolate, as we know, where the problem is the sugar and fat that accompanies it. Scharffen Berger makes a variety that is 99% unsweetened:
http://www.scharffenberger.com/article_info.php?articles_id=1&template_file=chochealth.php
And then there's raw cacao beans and according to this site, "Raw Chocolate contains up to 2.2% phenylethylamine (PEA)"
http://www.americahealth.com/rawfood/specials-Chocolate.html
Another site:
http://www.rawfood.com/cgi-bin/order/index.cgi?id=122322068277-1071&d=single&item_id=0878&m=home
I saw some other references to cheese, apples and almonds being sources of PEA, but couldn't really track that down.
I think I will try the cacao beans as I like the idea of a whole food, but I may try the bluegreen algae too.
JL
poster:JLxx
thread:488304
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/alter/20050414/msgs/493234.html