Blue-green algae is among the oldest forms of life on the planet: it existed 3.5 million years ago. It was the first known organism to carry out photosynthesis. Growing naturally in the blue Klamath Lake, AFA is also known as the ‘the invisible flower of the water’, ‘wild blue-green algae’ or ‘Klamath algae’.

The formulation Lactoxira contains the most widely studied probiotic strains in relation to mental health and mood disorders. It is based on the latest meta-analysis which reviewed 25 animal studies and 15 clinical trials (26):

• Bifidobacterius longum (present in the human gastrointestinal tract, it reduces symptoms of depression).
• Lactobacillus plantarum (present in certain fermented, cabbage-based foods, it offers neuroprotection and combats inflammatory processes).
• Bifidobacterium bifidum
• Bifidobacterium lactis
• Lactococcus lactis
• Lactobacillus casei (present in the gut and oral mucous membranes, it increases concentrations of tryptophan and serotonin, producing a significant improvement in mood in those with depression).
• Lactobacillus brevis (reduces symptoms of anxiety).
• Lactobacillus salivarius (the most active of all).

Some of these strains are able to withstand stomach acids (if they weren’t, there would be no benefit to eating yoghurts or drinking kefir), but to maximise their chances of survival and ensure the formulation is as effective as possible, the delivery method chosen by SuperSmart is gastro-resistant capsules which release the probiotics at the site where they need to act – the gut. The number of living microorganisms that arrive there intact determines their impact. This is also why each dose of Lactoxira contains more than 100 billion bacteria (CFU).

To enhance its efficacy still further, prebiotics have been added to the Lactoxira formulation. These natural compounds, which are indigestible by humans, support the growth of probiotics and make it easier for them to colonise the digestive system.

Along with the microalgae AFA, other ‘super algae’ may also be of interest, including spirulina, knotted wrack and chlorella.

Because of the potential presence of tiny quantities of microcystins, we recommend an upper daily limit of this algae of 3g a day.

Because of its high content of PEA and vitamin K, it is not recommended for those taking antidepressants or anticoagulants.

It had been suspected for decades that microbiota played an important role in determining mood (as far back as 1863, Ludwig Andreas Feuerback was asserting that ‘we are what we eat’), but it had not been proven scientifically.

In studies conducted on laboratory animals, scientists first succeeded in modifying the behaviour of selected species by adding probiotics to their food: they observed that certain types of probiotic made the animals more aggressive while others had soothing effects. These early findings encouraged researchers to test their theories in humans suffering from anxiety, depression or the effects of chronic stress – with convincing results. Thus after several clinical trials, it was possible to isolate all the strains shown to be most active in this area, so that they could be combined in a cutting-edge probiotic formulation.

The AFA algae used in our supplement comes from a pristine, natural ecosystem: Klamath Lake in Oregon. This lake is one of the clearest and purest bodies of water on the planet. It is enriched by numerous minerals from the region’s volcanic mountains and by the intense solar energy found in this part of the world. This unique combination gives the algae an extraordinary and completely unique nutritional complexity.

It is harvested from this pristine lake after meticulous analysis of the water quality and concentration in blue-green algae, after which it is dried and sealed in oxygenated bags.

If you want to maximise the effects of Lactoxira, here are some measures to adopt alongside your supplementation.

1) Improve your diet throughout the supplementation period (28). The main thing is to gradually increase your intake of dietary fibre: the higher it is, the lower the risk of depression (29). Dietary fibre is only digestible by beneficial bacteria: consuming more of it therefore gives them an advantage over pathogenic organisms. It’s found in almost all fresh fruits and vegetables as well as in whole grains.

In addition, a number of studies have demonstrated an inversely proportional link between consumption of foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids and depression (30). Some scientists thus advise those with depression to increase their weekly consumption of oily fish or to take omega-3 fatty acid supplements (1-4g a day of EPA/DHA) (31-32).

Finally, it’s important to increase your intake of B group vitamins (especially folic acid). Vitamin B deficiency is common in those with depression (33-35). These nutrients play an important role in the synthesis of neurotransmitters which influence mood (particularly serotonin).

2) Adopt a healthier lifestyle during the supplementation period. Take the opportunity to go to bed earlier to improve the quality of your sleep. It’s also a good moment to undertake new projects, reach out to loved ones and acknowledge your fears.

3) Discover the benefits of massage. Several studies (36-37) have shown that massage helps improve mood and sleep by releasing additional serotonin.

4) Significantly increase your level of physical activity. Being active is vital for mental well-being. The metabolic changes it induces enhance brain function, and particularly mood (38-39). To feel the benefits, you need to be physically active for around 30 minutes a day, five days a week. If you’re already managing to do this, you could increase the intensity or duration of your activities.

Lactoxira can also be combined with other dietary supplements such as SAM-e, a natural molecule that plays a key role in metabolising neurotransmitters, or St. John’s Wort, as long you use it in a well-controlled manner (it’s a plant that interacts with many drugs and substances).

Drawing on the very latest scientific research, Lactoxira provides the means to do what would have previously been unthinkable: improve an individual’s psychological state by improving their microbiota composition and optimising their gut-brain communication.

This product’s capsules are composed of HPMC (hydroxypropyl methylcellulose), a plant substance derived from cellulose. HPMC is widely used for medicines and dietary supplements. It contains no animal ingredients, is recognised as safe by health authorities and is considered more sustainable than synthetic alternatives.

This product’s capsules are composed of HPMC (hydroxypropyl methylcellulose), a plant substance derived from cellulose. HPMC is widely used for medicines and dietary supplements. It contains no animal ingredients, is recognised as safe by health authorities and is considered more sustainable than synthetic alternatives.