My understanding is that the algae itself is producing this toxin.
Since we don't know EVERYTHING about the safety of algae as a source of food/or supplement, and it is showing this brain toxic compound, I'd avoid it. It is not an essential nutrient like Vit C, or EFAs.

The toxin is not from the environment, so the word "organic" is meaningless in this context.

Really...one must be VERY careful of people who work in health food stores. You can get very skewed and inaccurate information there.

I think you could take your B-complex, only not every day.
Once a week, might be okay. Careful use of B6 enables serotonin synthesis in the brain, which helps melatonin derived from it.

Dear Bizi

If you decide to take an additional B complex besides the amounts that are arleady in you multivits, and which already exceed 100% of the RDA, i think you should seek out a BALANCED b-complex. that B-50 is not balanced - as in the quantities of the different vitamins are not in proportion to each other, as i explained before. I suppose if you just want to finish up what you have so as not to throw money away, once a week will be ok as MrsD suggests.

When you get the testing done, I would also talk to your doctor about any real need for additional supplementation, but let her know about your multivit (bring it) and ask if it is sufficient. Bet s/he will say yes. If s/he suggests additional supplementation, ask how much of what. Based on that, seek something with balanced proportions and reasonable dosages.

I agree wholeheartedly with MrsD's assessment of info obtained from "health-food" stores. They are not scientifically sound sources of information. Some of the salespeople are naive and misinformed, but they genuinely believe what they tell you; others don't know diddly but will say whatever sounds good to move product... either way not much different than the pharmaceutical company/reps, except there are fewer regulatory constraints on these products.

I am glad you are dropping the Chlorella... the "super-food" aspect was more about its potential as a concentrated protein source, at a time in history when people weren't getting enough. Now we are getting plenty of protein, even in excess. So, even if the stuff weren't toxic, i don't see that it would be useful.

I wish i could say, "I drink to your health," but my stomach won't let me do that... LOL

love

~ waves ~

any type of magnesium better than another thanks waves.
bizi

Magnesium Citrate.

Natural Calm is the well known brand there... it is a soluble powder. Please check the instructions - HOT water may be required.

Natural Calm - About Magnesium

Natural Calm Sweet Lemon - 16 oz:

...............



~ waves ~

I just read the ingredients - same as stuff here mag carbonate + citric acid anydrous - they will dissolve and react to produce mag citrate only in hot water - follow indications on package carefully!

~ waves ~

I used to take calm for its supposed laxative properties so I have some left over. thanks but would rather take a pill.
bizi

GREAT

I use room temperature water with the same product pictured above. I feel like a moron.

That's ok I guess.
I take the Mag to help with constipation from Verapamil and Gabapentin. Mag carbonate is not processed well in the body. It has been working for what I need.

M

i know what you mean. i have some, and it's too tart for me.

Look for Mg citrate in pill forms. Mg malate and Mg aspartate are also well absorbed forms. However long-term use of the aspartate in excess of 400 mg has been found to produce a risk of amino acid imbalance (aspartic acid is an amino acid).

Generally avoid the oxide and carbonate.

~ waves ~

Dear Mari,

check the packaging/instructions. If hot water is needed, it will tell you. It is possible that the kind sold there has some sort of catalyst added that makes it soluble at lower temperatures. It does say some sort of "proprietary form." I don't see anything proprietary about plain ol' anyhydrous citric acid and mag carbonate, so i guess it's posssible there is something ELSE in there too, but nothing is mentioned. The kind sold here, which originated from the same maker, says to use hot water, so i figure most likely it's the same for over there. But just check.

Right. If your package says hot water is needed, you can let it cool before you drink it. You can save money by using less product.

As far as the less absorbable forms, like the carbonate and the oxide... i took an oxide based supplement for quite a while, and it made a difference when i did not take it. So, it's not like they're total garbage either!

There is alot of new information on the magnesium thread on Vitamin forum.

Some of us on the PN forum are using topical lotions or cream now with good success. Helps with pain, and muscle cramps too.