Rebuttal: “Toxic Puzzle” Documentary. Disgraceful Misrepresentation of Spirulina

By Dr. Bob McCauley

I watched the (boring) documentary “Toxic Puzzle” recently which attempts to show the link between Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and β-Methylamino-L-alanine (BMAA), an amino acid found in cyanobacteria such as Aphanizomenon flos-aquae (AFA) which is found in Klamath Lake, Oregon and other places around the world.  At the end of “Toxic Puzzle” they point the finger at Spirulina platensis as being potentially toxic and then they actaully lie about their findings.   They don’t bother to mention AFA in their documentary, which is known to have Microcystins, Saxitoxins, Cylindrospermopsin and Anatoxins. 

BMAA is a dangerous amino acid, which is why we test for it.  Here are our test results.  Parry_BMAA_Cyanotoxins_report

I refute all these spurious claims against spirulina in my Rebuttal, which posted on Youtube.

Harmful Algae Blooms (HAB) often involve cyanobacteria such as AFA.  The most common species of toxic cyanobacteria in the Great Lakes are: Microcystis aeruginosa, Anabaena circinalis, Anabaena flos-aquae, Aphanizomenon flos-aquae, and Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii.  AFA is sold under the names Klamath Lake Algae, and Klamath blue-green algae.  Actually it is a cyanobacteria as is Spirulina platensis, which I have sold for many years.

The documentary cites a study then misrepresents it.

J AOAC Int. 2015 Nov-Dec;98(6):1559-65. doi: 10.5740/jaoacint.15-084.
Determination of β-N-methylamino-L-alanine, N-(2-aminoethyl)glycine, and Brocatal_JAOACI_BMAA_Validation-page-0022,4-diaminobutyric acid in Food Products Containing Cyanobacteria by Ultra-Performance Liquid Chromatography and Tandem Mass Spectrometry: Single-Laboratory Validation.

 

 

Brocatal_JAOACI_BMAA_Validation-page-007

 

 

Cyanotoxins are toxins produced by bacteria called cyanobacteria (also known as blue-green algae). Cyanobacteria are found almost everywhere, but particularly in lakes and in the ocean where, under certain conditions, they reproduce exponentially to form blooms.

 

 

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About Bob McCauley

Bob McCauley, ND (Robert F., Jr.) was raised in Lansing, Michigan and attended Michigan State University (BA, 1980 in Journalism). He is a naturopathic doctor, Master Herbalist and a Certified Nutritional Consultant. He has traveled extensively, both domestically and abroad, visiting over 32 countries. He published Confessions of a Body Builder: Rejuvenating the Body with Spirulina, Chlorella, Raw Foods and Ionized Water (2000), Achieving Great Health (2005), The Miraculous Properties of Ionized Water, (2006) which is the only book on the market that exclusively addresses Ionized Water, Twelve (Fiction, 2007) and Honoring the Temple of God (2008). He considers himself a Naturalist, meaning he pursues health in the most natural way possible. He studies and promotes nature as the only way to true health. From 2002-2004 he hosted the radio program Achieving Great Health, which was heard by thousands of people each day. His guests included some of the most well-known and respected names in the natural health world. With the help of his father, Dr. Robert F. McCauley, Sr. (Doctorate in Environmental Engineering, MIT, 1953) they started Spartan Water Company in 1992, which sold vended water machines in supermarkets. Robert Jr. founded Spartan Enterprises, Inc. in 1993. He is a Certified Water Technician with the State of Michigan. He is also a Type II Public Water Supply Specialist and has the certifications of S-5 and D-5. The McCauley family has a long history in the water industry. Bob's father pioneered environmental issues regarding ground water and drinking water quality. He received his Ph.D. from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in 1953 for his thesis on removing radioactive strontium from water. He earned his doctorate in Environmental Engineering in less than 2 years, one of the shortest doctoral studies in the history of MIT. He taught civil, sanitary and environmental engineering at Michigan State University for 18 years before retiring to run Wolverine Engineers & Surveyors of Mason, Michigan, for 17 years. His reputation throughout Michigan as a water quality expert was legendary. Bob worked for his father's company for 12 years learning the water business, which dealt primarily with municipalities, including water quality and sanitary sewer issues. After apprenticing with his father, Bob moved on to the bottled water business. He established greater Michigan's biggest selling bottled water: Michigan Mineral – Premium Natural Water. He was introduced to Ionized Water in 1995 and has done more to promote Ionized Water than anyone else in the industry. Bob often lectures and offers seminars on his Seven Component Natural Health Protocol . Bob is a Certified Nutritional Consultant and a Certified Master Herbalist. He is also a 3rd Degree Black Belt and Certified Instructor of Songahm Taekwondo (American Taekwondo Association).
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