Prevalence of Spirulina Use - Research Paper Example

?Running Head: The Efficacy of Spirulina as a Treatment in HIV in Adults The Efficacy of Spirulina as a Treatment in HIV in Adults Bowie Chau HSC220016th February, 2013 The Efficacy of Spirulina as a Treatment in HIV in Adults Spirulina is a cyanobacterium plant that is rich in protein and has curative properties such as preventing sniffling, sneezing, allergies, and it also improves the immune system. It can also be used to control hypertension and cholesterol. It can be eaten by human beings and other animals; mostly, humans take it as a nutritional supplement since it is said to be the most nutritionally complete supplement as it contains proteins, complex carbohydrates, iron and various vitamins (vitamin A and B). It is also rich in carotenoids like yellow xanthophylls and beta, which are antioxidants in nature. Its protein content is high, ranging from 60% to 70 % and comprises most essential amino acids in conjunction with its nutritional properties; it is also therapeutic and has antiviral and immune-stimulatory properties. Therefore, Spirulina has numerous uses as a supplement and as a means for maintaining good health and improving the immune system, hence preventing diseases. Due to its antiviral properties and the fact it is locally available, Spirulina can be used in the treatment and management of HIV positive patients as it is rich in sulfolipids, which have protective activity against viral infections (Azabji-Kenfack et al. 201). Need some information on prevalence of spirulina use. Can it really be called treating HIV or should it be viewed as more of a nutritional aid/supplement? Prevalence of Spirulina Use Consumption of Spirulina dates back to ancient times when ancient Mexicans of Aztec and Mesoamerican origin used it as a staple food to alleviate malnutrition. Commonly referred to as “tecuitlatl” in Mexico, they would be extracted from Lake Texcoco using a fine mesh, with the resultant biomass being sun-dried and used as a staple food or a nutritional supplement. In Chad, people of Kanembu descent used to partake it as a “dihe” cake, which is deposited by wind along the shores of Lake Chad in Central Africa (Maart 14). It was consumed together with millet. In the United States, it is consumed in form of tablets or powders sold in food stores. Asians process them into cuisines, whereas Russians have used it extensively to alleviate symptoms of Chernobyl radiation sickness in people. In East Africa, there is a bountiful growth within the Great Rift Valley Region (Ravi, De and Azharuddin 73). In China, production stood at 19, 080 metric tons in 2003, and doubled to about 40,000 metric tons by end of that year (Habib, Parvin and Huntington iii). There is a dearth of production figures across the rest of the world, however. Even though Spirulina has remarkable therapeutic properties, its nutritional properties seem to favor its use as a nutritional supplement rather than a treatment for HIV (Maart 14). Spirulina has carbohydrates (15 to 25 %) and polysaccharides such as calcium Spirulina (CA-SP) and sodium Spirulina (Na-SP). These polysaccharides contain anticoagulant and possess immunostimulatory and antiviral characteristics. It also has minerals and elements that are essential in case of malnutrition, and this is crucial in HIV positive patients. Naturally, it has iron up to 500 mg/kg, which is important is controlling anemia, a common condition in HIV positive patients. Zinc is also found in Spirulina. Magnesium, another important element, is also found in it. A gene of Spirulina has been wholly sequenced and recognized by Antenna Technologies and two other private companies (Biorigin AS and Fasteris and the Haulte Ecole Specialisee of Geneva). By doing this, they have chosen to make it available to the public domain and make it easily available to all willing users, and thus they prevented it from being patented. This enables anyone seeking it to do so freely. NGOs and health institutions are already using it as a remedy to treat a number of children (Hugand Weid 11). Methods? Povide an introduction that addresses the studies before you list them individually There are several studies across that attest to the use of Spirulina as a treatment for HIV. These research investigations have mainly focused on examining the antropometric, immunological, biological properties, effects on body mass index (BMI), levels of hemoglobin (Hb), leukocyte, lymphocytes, neutrophilis, and CD4 cell count in HIV positive patients. However, more research needs to be conducted to investigate whether therapeutic use of Spirulina suffices, as this is an issue that has generated heated debates among the herbalists. A study carried out in Burkina Faso indicates advances in parameters such as biological, anthropometric, and immunology in HIV positive patients under Spirulina medication. This increases the urge to consider addition of Spirulina in the antiretroviral therapy of the HIV positive patients (Simpore, Pignatelli, and Musumeci7). Another study recently carried out with Spirulina in 52 malnourished HIV positive adults lacking knowledge on antiretroviral therapy in Cameroon on 2nd May 2011 indicated efficiency of Spirulina in the form of weight increment in malnourished HIV positive patients. The study also demonstrated recovery of immunity markers and reduction in viral load due to its therapeutic nature, especially observed in the immune-suppressed patients. The research recommended considering Spirulina for immune-compromised patients. The study indicates comparable efficiency of Spirulina with soya beans in parameters of weight and body mass index increase. The difference observed was attributed to the antiviral properties of Spirulina, as the patients on Spirulina showed improvements in anthropometric, biological and immunological parameters (Hug and Weid 21). The study carried out on both HIV positive and negative patients (HIV negative patients were used as control experiments) for eight weeks to monitor the efficacy of Spirulina. Significant change (nutritional change) was noted in the group of patients who received Spirulina. These improvements were in form of increment in weight averagely 15g/day; anemia was also slightly corrected. Patients on Spirulina exhibited excellent compliance to treatment as none of the patients dropped out, and evaluations were made weekly. The study’s findings encourage to pursue the culture of Spirulina in order to fully utilize its unique biochemical properties and benefits, which may be of great importance in the treatment of HIV patients. Another study conducted in Central African Republican for six months prospectively on 160 HIV positive patients divided in two groups. Patients of each group receiving 10 grams of Spirulina and placebo per day respectively. This study revealed significant improvement recorded in the follow up in terms of weight, arm, and girth, number of infectious episodes, CD4 count, and protidemia. The hemoglobin (Hb) level, the number of leukocytes, lymphocytes and neutrophils of the study population were measured before and after the supplementation of Spirulina to find out the efficacy. This was done to determine the anemic status and the number of lymphocytes, neutrophils and leukocytes indicate severity of immune involvement. However, no valid conclusions were drawn due to methodological errors reported by the researchers. Contrary to this, in a similar study on 52 HIV positive patients on Spirulina and another group on soya beans, the findings revealed comparable efficacy for Spirulina and soya beans in regard to weight increase and immunological markers in the group supplemented with Spirulina. Another article states that after a twelve-week supplementation of Spirulina anemia and immunisenescence in older individuals ameliorates (Azabji-Kenfack et al.). SP is cultivated in artificial ponds and dried at room temperature, and then the material is stored in the dark to prevent photodegeneration as this would make it lose its nutritional value. It is prepared by grounding, and then it is extracted thrice with the help of hexane and analyzed with Hewlett-Packard gas chromatograph. After tjis, Spirulina is prepared and administered to the subjects weekly at rations of 70g of Spirulina in sachets every day. The patients were required to mix 10g of Spirulina with any traditional meal of their choice, at least twice daily. There were anthropometric parameters and weight checks every week. Spirulina can also be used to fight malnutrition among children because of its high protein content, and the fact that it is grown locally makes it available and cheap. It presents a palliative solution and is an essential development tool, both economic and health-wise (Azabji-Kenfack et al.). Conclusion Taking care of HIV positive patients remains a big challenge in Africa due to the problem of malnutrition as poverty levels are high. However, the introduction of Spirulina would prove to be a major milestone in the treatment of HIV/AIDS and malnutrition due to its numerous nutritional and therapeutic benefits including antiviral and immune-stimulatory properties. Scientific studies have thoroughly evaluated and analyzed the effectiveness of a Spirulina-based approach on the ever changing biological and anthropometric parameters in HIV positive patients, and the results have been positive. Spirulina was found to reduce the viral load in HIV positive patients; an increase in weight of averagely 20g per day was noted; anemia was also found to ameliorate among other positive body changes in the patients because of its high protein content of 57.10% and high amount of lipid content. These support efficient recovery of an unstable immune system of the HIV positive patients. These unique characteristics confirm the importance of the Spirulina supplement. Community participation and acceptance of the SP is crucial as to control the vast prevalence of malnutrition and HIV/AIDS infection in the African continent. Spirulina is locally planted by farmers, and this makes it easily available. It has been approved by various departments to be safe for human consumption, and it has not been patented by any organization or individual. From the above mentioned studies, it is clear that Spirulina is the future of medicine, which could offer so much in the fight against HIV/AIDS and malnutrition. It is therefore necessary that further research be done on Spirulina, and NGOs and governments should promote the use of Spirulina. Works Cited Azabji-Kenfack, M. M., Dikosso, S., Loni, E. G., Onana, E. A., Sobngwi, E. E., Gbaguidi, E. E., & ... Ngogang, J. J. “Potential of Spirulina Platensis as a Nutritional Supplement in Malnourished HIV-Infected Adults in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Randomized, Single-Blinsd Study.” Nutrition & Metabolic Insights, 4 (2011): 29-37. Habib, Ahsan MB, et al. "A review on Culture, Production and Use of Spirulina as Food for Humans and Feeds for Domestic Animals and Fish." FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Circular No. 1034 2008: 1-41. Maart, Brenton Ashley. "The Biotechnology of Effluent-grown Spirulina, and Application in Aquaculture Nutrition." Thesis Submitted in Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science (Biotechnology) 1992: 1-208. Ravi, Maddaly, et al. "The beneficial effects of Spirulina Focusing on its Immunomodulatory and Antioxidant Properties." Nutrition and Dietary Supplements July 2010: 73-83. Simpore, Jacques, Salvatore Pignatelli, and Salvatore Musumeci. “The effects of spiruline on the immune functions Of HIV-infected undernourished children.”Pietro Anigoni Biomolecular Research Center. Web. 16 Feb. 2013. Hug, Christoph, and Denis von der Weid. “Spirulina in the fight against malnutrition: Assessment and prospects.”Antenna Technologies Foundation,2011. Web. 16Feb 2013. Read More