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Botanical

Blue-green algae

Blue-green algae are cyanobacteria that grow in water. One supplement ingredient is Aphanizomenon flos-aquae (AFA) from Upper Klamath Lake in Oregon.

LongevityCardiovascularImmune SupportWeight ManagementCognition

What it is studied for

The strongest rated effects first. Bars show the size of the effect, the letter grades the evidence, and each rating lists the studies behind it.

Oxidative stressLongevityModerateBNo linked study
Cholesterol balanceCardiovascularSmallCNo linked study
Immune SupportSmallCNo linked study
InflammationSmallCNo linked study
Blood sugarWeight ManagementSmallCNo linked study
Mental EnergyCognitionSmallCNo linked study
All 8 rated effectsGrouped by health goal, with the publications behind each rating

What does “blue-green algae” mean?

Blue-green algae are water-growing cyanobacteria. One supplement ingredient is Aphanizomenon flos-aquae, or AFA, harvested from Oregon’s Upper Klamath Lake. 1

Why people take it

Immune Support20.6%
Energy18.6%
Essential Health15.7%
Detox7.8%
Bone & Joint7.8%
Cognition6.9%

SuppCo community snapshot, 2026-09-28. Reasons for use are not evidence that it works.

Questions people ask

Can AFA treat ADHD or Alzheimer’s disease?

The German consumer authority finds no reliable scientific basis for those treatment claims. 2

Were there side effects in the diabetes trial?

Some participants withdrew, mainly because of nausea, in both the supplement and placebo groups. 3

Does a clean batch prove a health benefit?

Contaminant testing addresses product safety; the small combination trial answers a different, much narrower question about blood glucose. 1 3

Sources