Bio Superfoods are a group of sea vegetable supplements that make use of both blue-green and red algae. While most spirulina supplements contain only blue-green algae, this supplement contains a diverse spectrum of algal species, with the goal of providing a more complete nutritional supplement with a higher nutrient density.
About Bio Superfoods
Bio Superfoods are a group of products manufactured by BioAge, a company that exclusively manufactures spirulina and related supplements. The supplements are available in three concentration levels, F1, F2 and F3. Each formula contains essentially the same ingredients, but in different potencies. The main ingredients in the supplement are:
- Spirulina Pacifica
- Spirulina Plantensis
- Dunaliella Salina
- Haematoccoccus Pluvialis
Spirulina Pacifica and Spirulina Plantentis, are blue-green microalgae. According to the manufacturers, these algae naturally exists in salty lakes and sea waters, and are an excellent source of protein at 60 to 70 percent dry weight protein. Additionally, spirulina is said to be a great source of phytonutrients such as chlorophyll, vitamins, minerals and other nutrients that are considered excellent for health.
Dunaliella salina and Heomatoccoccus Pluvialis are known as red algae. They confer the same benefits as blue-green algae but, according to the company, have a higher density of carotenoids and antioxidant phytonutrients like zeaxanthin, cryptoxanthin and lutein. These nutrients are purported to support and nourish the brain, helping mental function and preventing disorders like dementia. Are these supplements all they claim to be?
Benefits of Red Algae
The presence of red algae is what sets this product apart from other spirulina supplements, but does this make a significant difference, or is it simply one more example of marketing hype? In the veritable sea of supplements currently available, each company appears to be scrambling to set its product ahead of the pack, and it's easy to become jaded about the veracity of the multitude of health claims. But the red algae in Bio Superfoods does appear to offer some nutritional benefits.
A 2010 study published in the journal Food and Chemical Toxicology examined the difference in rats fed a standard diet, those fed non-algal carotenes and those fed various concentrations of Dunaliella Salina. After six weeks, the group receiving the highest concentrations of red algae showed significantly decreased concentrations of total blood lipids, triglycerides and cholesterol, indicating that red algae might indeed confer some real health benefits to human subjects, as well.
However, algae is not a natural food source for humans, and its effect on human physiology has only begun to be studied. Since this is a relatively new form of supplement, it's a good idea to seek a physician's advice before undergoing a supplement regimen of this type.
How Super are Superfoods?
With all the buzz about superfoods, you may begin to think you are somehow neglecting your health if you aren't regularly consuming some form of algae. While spirulina supplements like Bio Superfoods can be an excellent source of vitamins, proteins and phytonutrients, so can many other foods. A supplement, super or otherwise, can never take the place of a healthy, balanced diet, and most healthy individuals can achieve perfect health without anything extra. Supplements can be useful, but it's important to remember that they are only intended to add to an already healthy diet and not take the place of whole food nutrition.
