Jim McAfee's Blog Spot

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Carotenoids for Algae

Algae for Carotenoids
Many supplements use a pink micro-algae called Dunaliella salina as a source of carotenoids. These organisms live in highly saline conditions and grow in intense light which causes them to produce high levels of beta-carotene. This algae is not a normal part of the human food chain. GNLD Carotenoid Complex derives carotenoids from foods you would find in your grocery store.

There are many different carotenoids and each has a specificity of action. The carotenoid profile of foods is altogether different than the profile found in algae. There is also a competitive inhibition of absorption of one carotenoid by others. This means that use of high quantities of carotenoids from outside the food chain may impair absorption of some carotenoids robbing the body of the beneficial effects which may be unique to carotenoids found only in foods.

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