Medical Research Dr. Charles Holmes Heritage researcher Dr. Charles Holmes can often be found on a hot summer's day on the shores of one of Alberta lakes. But he's not sunbathing. Blue-green algae blooms are on the rise worldwide, possibly because of increased use of fertilizers in farming. The chemicals in agricultural runoff provide increased nutrification in the water, promoting more frequent and more extensive algae blooms. While not all algae contain toxins, more algae growth means greater potential for harmful microcystin contamination.
Microcystin toxin can be lethal to animals and humans when taken directly into the bloodstream.
It is as potent as cobra venom, and an amount the weight of a few grains of sand could kill an adult human if injected. Yet, blue-green algae has been used as a food supplement for centuries, without any documented ill effects. This could be because stomach acids would destroy any microcystins. However, there is a growing amount of evidence from biochemical research like that of Holmes' to suggest swallowing blue-green algae has a number of effects. The boost of energy some people get when they eat blue-green algae results from a reaction in the liver.