Spirulina as food supplement is effective in arsenicosis

Abstract

Background Spirulina, a blue green vegetable algae, has been used as a significant food source by millions of all ages. It seems to be an ideal therapeutic supplement to strengthen immune system and fight problems associated with disease complex. Objectives To determine the benefit of spirulina in diet of patients with arsenicosis. Patients and method A total number of 40 patients affected with arsenicosis were selected and clinical examination prior to feeding trials was done. They were placed under two groups. In one group spirulina powder was fed to 20 arsenicosis patients and in another group comprising the same number of patients was under placebo treatment. In post-fed groups patients were subjected to clinical examined for noticing any changes in improvement after every 30 days for six months. Nutritional status of patients was assessed using MAC (mid arm circumference) value. Results The interrelatedness between improvement respondents following spirulina intake in respect of age, sex, nutrition and social condition of patients exposed to arsenic contaminated water has been revealed. The sex-wise respondents demonstrated that about 62% females showed improvement in comparison to 58.3% males. The spirulina intake caused more improvements in patients of age group 15-35 years (66.66%) than patients of 35 to 55 years (50%). The impact of spirulina improvement represents a different phenomenon on the vulnerability of social taboos. It occurred 71.42% in middle class, while in poor class this was 69.29%. The greatly vulnerable poverty related malnourished arsenicosis patients responded to improvement equally as attained by well nourished patients. The overall response revealed that 60% patients showed considerable improvement with spirulina treatment and the result is found statistically highly significant (x2 =8.64 at P< 0.01). In most respondents the improvement gradually occurred and required about 6months to have good improvement. The patients who followed doctors’ advice and avoided drinking arsenic contaminated and used surface water recovered early. It is clearly evidenced that spirulina could play consistent role in the treatment of arsenicosis patients. Conclusion The study evidenced that arsenic which induces cellular toxicity could be prevented by treatment with known supportive treatment with spirulina. The intake has proved to offer health benefits for problems of arsenicosis. It is advocated that spirulina should be made available and blended into fruit or milk drinks or added to recipes to arsenicosis patients to boost nutritional value and provide health and energy.