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Hi All

I started taking Algin on Thursday. The recommended dosage on the back says 3x2 capsules per day but I know that Laura and others in the forum have mentioned you can go considerably higher. I decided to start on ten capsules spread though out the day.

I been having major hell the past four weeks (following dental disaster) with anxiety and insomnia.

On Thursday evening I noticed that the 'edge' was gone from the anxiety. Friday morning it had completely cleared up and last night what-do-you-know, I slept 7 hours ! (thats a lot by my standards)

If this is the effect of the Algin, then I'm hooked. I'm not taking anything else that could has this kind of effect. It's considerably reduced my acute mercury symptoms. It seems to be more effective for me than any sedative or tranquilizer was and without the chemical hangover the next morning.

One small side effect though - my abdomen gets rather sore throughout the day. I noticed last night though that this improves when I have drunken a glass or two so I guess I just need to be mindful of that. I understand that the Algin expands in your gut?? and binds the mercury so I guess it makes sense to keep the H2O up.

Will update.

Cheers
Steve <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

I'm so glad you're feeling better. I've been thinking of using Algin myself, even though I am going to do aggressive chelation with DMSA and LA as I am extremely poisoned and sick. Where did you order it from?

Sandra

You can get Algin from Laura or Russ. If you're not a vegetarian, then I think it will be hard to find the equivalent at the same reasonable price.

I've been looking everywhere for Algin and had a real difficult time finding products. I can't find any at all here in Britain. There are some slightly cheaper Anerican products like Solaray>SP-25 Detox Blend (Algin Blend) (100 capsules) or Solaray>Comfree Pepsin with Algin (100 capsules) but I don't know how suitable they are and I don't think they are suitable for vegetarians (gelatin isn't suitable for vegetarians).

The only one I can find suitable for vegetarians is a product called ProAlgen (alginate with Milk Thistle) so I have little choice but to try that. (It's either that or the sodium alginate powder.) Quite pricey for a bottle though, $25-30.

Hi Sandra, Hi Demi

I was sceptical about Algin initially but it really does seem to help.

I'm planning on chelating with LA too, but not til October, ie two months away. I needed something to help me with my mercury symptoms now though so that's why I decided to give the Algin a try.

I can't judge Algin in comparison to the other brands like Solaray cause I've never used them. What I do know is that Algin complies to the Californian Standards that Russ and Laura have referred to a number of times, i.e they have an extremely low initial mercury content. I understand that not all algae products on the market do this.

I know what you mean about availability - it's hard to get your hands on if you live outside of the US. I'm living in New Zealand at the moment and there is no Algin or ANYTHING comparable available here. The OnlyTheBestHerbs.com website doesn't allow one to order from outside North America so I just called Laura one night and placed a trial order by phone.

It took six days for the package to get down here.

There is the possibility of me being in the US occasionally in future or friends visiting the US, so I would use those opportunities to stock up on the stuff. Definitely preferable to international post. There is also always the slight uncertainty of customs too. New Zealand is fine for that kind of thing but I'm moving to the EU (Germany) with work shortly and I know from experience that customs officials over there can react to vitamins and supplements as if they were high grade narcotics and confiscate them. I'm not kidding, its really bizarre.

Friends will have to smuggle in algae when they come visiting ....he he he

Steve,

Glad to hear the Algin is working. I always feel uncomfortable selling stuff but I have benefitted so much from it that it's my #1 supplement for mercury issues.

To risk incriminating myself, I do love a good meal out, and sometimes get Salmon, which--of course--contains mercury. So many times I've not taken Algin with salmon, either by accident or on purpose just to see the effect and the difference is nearly 100%.

Without the Algin, I heat up, get "heavy" and grumpy feeling and foggy-minded. My skin gets itchy and I could go on and on. With Algin, I can barely tell anything is different at all.

I depend on this so much that when NSP discontinued Algin last year, I purchased (what I believed was) several years supply.

Anyway, I truly hope people will continue to learn about this and benefit from it... and protect themselves from redistribution during detox no matter what brand you choose to take. Of course, I do prefer NSPs because of the mercury testing.

Laura managed 2 health food stores and often, people who tried cheaper brands would come back saying something didn't work. When it was possible to talk them into trying the same herb but from NSP, in the cases we spoke to them again, their problem was nearly always solved. We also sell research materials to (and have conversations with) many health practitioners all over the U.S. (and in 11 countries) and I hear a lot of product feedback as many stores carry many brands. Long story short: I truly believe in their quality. It's an excellent company and I'm not easily impressed in that respect.

I only sell what I truly believe in.

I wonder if NSP would consider making their Algin product suitable for vegetarians?

I'm guessing the gelatin is in the capsule, so if they could switch to veggie capsules, they would broaden their market. This is what ProAlgen have done, changed their capsules so now vegetarians can take it also.

I might email them about it.

Another problem for vegetarians in products is glycerine. If it's vegetarian source it's okay, but often it's made from things like pork fat.

I will mention this also.

Hope it's okay to have brought this up. The more people they can make their product suitable for, the better! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Okay, I emailed them. Be interesting to see what they say <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Hi Demi, Sandra, Steve, and all...

I'm going to call NSP on Monday and see who I can talk to about recommending they make Algin available in vegetarian capsules. I'm also going to find out exactly what the "gelatin" capsules are made of. I seem to recall that they may be bovine (cow) sourced, but I want to be sure.

I'm not a vegetarian so I never really even thought about the gelatin capsules. I did have a co-worker who was a strict vegan and she would open all the capsules she took, dump them in a glass and drink them all at once. Unfortunately, you can't do this with Algin. I tried and the Algin immediately turned into a thick gel as soon as it hit my mouth and throat...it was awful and I had a terrible time getting the "gel" out.

As far as shipping Algin overseas, so far, we haven't had any trouble with customs, even in the UK. Also, Steve, the postage to New Zealand is less expensive if you choose to have it sent regular airmail (6-12 days for about $14) instead of express airmail (4-5 days for about $24).

Fortunately, shipping to the UK or Canada isn't as expensive as New Zealand. The other thing to consider is buying several bottles at once so you don't have to order as often.

And yes, the Only The Best Herbs website can only accomodate U.S. orders at this time. We're working on making it available for international orders.

For now, anyone living outside the U.S. is welcome to use the Herb Allure Online Secure Orderform to send us your order and payment and shipping information. The Secure Orderform uses the same high-level encryption used by online stores like Paypal, Amazon, etc. Of course, we would enjoy talking to you if you prefer to call (1-716-487-9502).

I'll post the information I get from NSP as soon as possible! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

That would be great if you contact them aswell, Laura <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> I already emailed them and if they think there is a demand, which I'd imagine there really is (which is why proalgen changed their capsules) then they will make them vegetarian. It's just a case of changing capsules <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I'd love to get them regularly from you and Russ, so here's hoping they change them to vegetarian <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

This is the reply I got:

NSP uses vegetable based glycerin. Our hard 2-piece capsules are made from 100% bovine (cow) gelatin. These capsules are kosher certified. NSP has investigated the possibility of using other alternatives. Currently bovine sourced capsules are considered superior, but we are continually searching for the best option (i.e. vegetable, other, etc.). Vegetable based capsules that we have evaluated in the past have had problems of being brittle."

They said vegetarians can still use them by taking out the contents, like what your friend does, Laura, but I'm afraid for this vegetarian, and I'd imagine for a lot of vegetarians, we won't, on principle, buy any product that uses parts of animals bodies. To buy the product is to support the industry, so if we're buying it, we may aswell be eating it, because the cows are still getting killed.

Guess I'll just have to try the pro-algen and hope it helps with the mercury.

I've heard that Pro-Algen is being discontinued.

Does anyone know of any Algin product suitable for vegetarians?

Are you certain Nature's Sunshine Algin isn't vegetarian?

Algin

Quick update - I'm still feeling heaps better. Mercury symptoms much less than before. I had one session of anxiety on Monday night directly after a seafood pizza ( I completely forgot!). Went away with Algin thankfully though after about 2 hours. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Friends and partner have all noticed and commented on huge improvement

Moving to Germany on Monday. Fingers crossed cause this kind of thing usually means MCS issues for me. Will be back on the forum in a week or two once I've settled in.

Cheers
Steve

Yes. It contains gelatin, which is made from various animal remains i.e. connective tissue, bones etc.

It's a widely used ingredient which can also be found in things like sweets, so it's one vegetarians always have to be on the look out for. Quite a pain of a thing, lol, as some otherwise very nice foods can't be consumed because of it.

If NSP changed the capsules to veggies one, though, then it would be okay.

Good luck with your move Steve. Let us know how your detox is going when you get back on the forum.

Steve,

I hope you have a safe and successful move. I'm really excited to hear that you're experiencing improvement with Algin. That is so awesome...especially considering other people are noticing the difference too.

We look forward to having you back when you get settled in!