How Algae Went From Horse Food to Wellness Trend
As a heath-food trend, it’s easy to be confused by blue-green algae (BGA). Not only does it sound gross, but googling it produces news reports of local officials at war with the toxic pond scum it can create.
Yet, many swear by BGA’s energy-boosting properties. In health-food circles, BGA usually refers to spirulina, chlorella, or — the hippest algae — Aphanizomenon Flos-aquae (AFA). Still, some BGAs can be toxic, so nutritionists recommend proceeding with caution.
The strain that appears in E3Live was discovered in the 1970s by Victor Colman, who as legend has it, was looking for a way to feed NASA scientists. In the 1990s, it became a popular racehorse supplement after Tamera Campbell, now CEO of the E3Live company began selling it to trainers for their Kentucky Derby–bound thoroug...