-10.01.05-
Phycocyanin in BAC enhances the immune system
One unusual phytonutrient in blue-green algae such as
spirulina in BAC, is the natural blue protein pigment,
called phycocyanin. This is the pigment which gives blue-green algae
its blue cast. It may be found in concentrations as high as
7 percent in certain blue-green algae, as compared to
1 percent chlorophyll content most commonly found.
Phycocyanin is related to the human pigment bilirubin,
which is important to healthy liver function and
digestion of amino acids.
Part of the global effort to identify natural substances with an
immune system boosting or anti-cancer effect focuses on algae because
of its important quantity of phycocyanin.
In a study in Japan, phycocyanin was given orally
to mice with liver cancer. The survival rate of the
treatment group was significantly higher than the
control group not given phycocyanin. After five weeks,
90% of the phycocyanin group survived, but only 25% of
the control group. After eight weeks, 25% of the
phycocyanin group still survived, yet none of the
control group was alive. This suggests eating
phycocyanin may increase survival of cancer stricken organisms.
In another study, after two weeks the white blood cells
(lymphocyte activity) of a phycocyanin group were higher
than the control group and higher than or equal to a
normal group without cancer. This suggests phycocyanin
raises lymphocyte activity.1
The lymph system's general function is to maintain
healthy organs in the body, and protect against cancer,
ulcers, bleeding piles and other diseases. These results
suggest phycocyanin acts not by a limited attack on local
cancer, but by strengthening the body's resistance through
the lymph system. Phycocyanin may be active in preventing
a host of degenerative organ diseases by increasing immunity.
A Japanese patent states that a small dosage of phycocyanin
daily maintains or accelerates normal control cell functions
that prevents generation of malignancy such as cancer
or inhibits its growth or recurrence.
2
Chinese scientists documented that phycocyanin stimulates
hematopoesis (creation of blood), emulating the hormone
erythropoetin (EPO). EPO is produced by healthy kidneys
and regulates bone marrow stem cell production of red
blood cells. They claim phycocyanin regulated white
blood cell production, even when bone marrow stem
cells are damaged by toxic chemicals or radiation.
3
- Iijima, N., Shimamatsu, H., et al. (inventors; Dainippon Ink x Chemicals assignee). Anti-tumor agent and method of treatment therewith. US patent pending, ref. P1150-726-A82679, App. 15 Sep. 1982.
- Dainippon Ink x Chemicals and Tokyo Kenkyukai (inventors and assignee). Anti-tumoral agents containing phycobilin- also used to treat ulcers and hemorrhoidal bleeding. 1983, JP 58065216 A 830418.
- Zhang Cheng-Wu, et. al. Effects of polysaccharide and phycocyanin from spirulina on peripheral blood and hematopoietic system of bone marrow in mice. Second Asia-Pacific Conf. Ibid, April, 1994.
Algae in Bio-Algae Concentrates have a high and naturally occurring
phycocyanin content. This means that with a regular intake of BAC,
you would notneed to consume a isolated supplement for this essential and
rare phytonutrient.
