Nutrition Rehabilitation of HIV-Infected and HIV-Negative Undernourished Children Utilizing Spirulina

Abstract

The objective of this study was to assess the impact of an alimentary integrator composed of spirulina (Spirulina platensis; SP), produced at the Centre Médical St Camille of Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, on the nutritional status of undernourished HIV-infected and HIV-negative children. We compared two groups of children: 84 were HIV-infected and 86 were HIV-negative. The duration of the study was 8 weeks. Anthropometric and haematological parameters allowed us to appreciate both the nutritional and biological effect of SP supplement to traditional meals. Rehabilitation with SP shows on average a weight gain of 15 and 25 g/day in HIV-infected and HIV-negative children, respectively. The level of anaemia decreased during the study in all children, but recuperation was less efficient among HIV-infected children. In fact 81.8% of HIV-negative undernourished children recuperated as opposed to 63.6% of HIV-infected children (Z: 1.70 (95% CI –0.366, –0.002, p = 0.088)). Our results confirm that SP is a good food supplement for undernourished children. In particular, rehabilitation with SP also seems to correct anaemia and weight loss in HIV-infected children, and even more quickly in HIV-negative undernourished children.

Vitamin A, Nutrition, and Health Values of Algae: Spirulina, Chlorella, and Dunaliella

“…These results suggested that spirulina may be a good food supplement for undernourished children. In particular, spirulina also seems to correct anemia and weight loss in HIV-infected children, and even more quickly in HIV-negative undernourished children [12]. A research study on 550 undernourished children (<5y) that provided an 8 week intervention on spirulina, Misola, spirulina plus Misola, or only traditional meals, showed that these interventions were good for undernourished children.…”

Study of the Toxicity of ?Spirulina Plus? in HIV1 Infected Patients in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso

“…The enrichment of spirulina with zinc and selenium as well as the posology used, could possibly explain these differences. Similarly, the same undesirable effects noted with simple spirulina types such as the following: hypoglycaemia, reduction of triglycerides and total cholesterol [23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34], hepato toxicity through increase in transaminases [11,12], increase in hemoglobin [3,7,31], were not observed in patients taking "Spiruline plus" only. This presumably would confirm the important role of oligo elements (zinc and selenium) when added to spirulina.…”

“…That explains why the United Nations' Organisation for Food and Agriculture (FAO) gave special encouragement to African countries to resort to algae and more precisely microalgae in order to fight against hunger and malnutrition [1]. Spirulina, a multicellular blue alga, enriched with vitamins, minerals, and pigments [2][3][4][5][6][7][8] can easily be grown. Consumed since antiquity on the African and American continents, it is nowadays used in all the continents.…”

“…Burkina Faso, just like other countries, has made the production of spirulina an industry to fight against malnutrition, to contribute to the management of and help to people with HIV. Spirulina is used in persons with HIV because of its nutritional and immunostimulatory effects [2][3][4][5].…”

Superfoods: Perfect Addition or Unnecessery Supplement?

“…Spirulina wykazuje korzystny wpływ na stężenie cukru. Zaobserwowano wpływ spiruliny na podwyższenie ilości IL-2 oraz na obniżenie IL-6 [22,23]. Spirulinę coraz powszechniej można kupić w sklepach ze zdrową żywnością w formie sproszkowanej lub jako suplement diety w formie tabletek, kapsułek.…”