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IMPACT REPORT ON
PROVISION OF SPIRULINA & DISTRIBUTION TO PEOPLE &
CHILDREN LIVING WITH HIV/AIDS (PLHIVS AND CLHIVS)
PREPARED BY
ST. PAUL’S CCF CHILD DEVELOPMENT PROJECT – 4080
KAKINADA
Introduction
St. Paul’s Trust has been introduced Spirulina as a supplementary food to the HIV/AIDS Patients
in our operational area of Kakinada rural and urban. We are providing Spirulina to the 60
Children living with HIV/AIDS and 60 Adult PLHA (each 30 men and 30 women) in 6 months. It
has been taken a pilot project for the duration of 6 months from August, 2008 to January,2009.
The process of orientation, distribution and follow up activities were based on health status of
Beneficiaries.
Our body will always try to heal itself due to our natural survival instinct. The best doctor is
always our body and the best medicine is always the food that we eat. Supplement may assist
the body to overcome problems of deficiency of certain nutrients or toxins accumulated or
digestive problems, digestive problems, etc. Supplement does not heal. Instead, supplement help
to ensure the vital force, of the body itself, does the healing.
Many medical researchers have shown Spirulina actually can help fighting some illnesses. In some
cases Spirulina can even be used to fight Viruses and cancer etc.
Main purpose of the study is researching the influence of spirulina platensis on the immune
system on normalization of peroxide lipid oxidation and anti-oxidant activity, also on the content
of long-life radionucleides. The natural combination of nutrients supports the formation of nonabsorbable complexes of radionucleides through analogues such as calcium, potassium, etc., and
promotes their excretion.
Spirulina Plantensis and specialties to support detoxifying pollutants and to strengthen the
immune system - by L. P. Loseva, 8th International congress of Applied Algology, Italy, Bela
As a health supplement, Spirulina algae is an extremely high protein source with a protein
content of 60-70 percent higher than any other natural food and most nutritional products.
However, even greater nutritional value can be found in its high concentration of vitamins,
minerals and other beneficial nutrients. This super food has the most remarkable concentration of
functional nutrients ever known in food - animal or plant.
When it was found that Spirulina grew so fast (producing 20 times more protein per acre than
soybeans) they named it the food of the future. On top of this, Spirulina delivers more nutrition
per acre than any other food on the planet. This has extraordinary implications for more efficient
and sustainable food production in the future as we advance into uncertain
Spirulina is a natural food supplement and hence can be consumed anytime of the day.
Although Spirulina nutrients are well digested, it is ideal to consume all supplements after meals,
for better absorption of nutrients. Spirulina is not medicine, its a whole-food and can be taken by
anyone. who are on high blood pressure, diabetic, cholesterol and heart problem medication are
also taking it.
Spirulina has a completely unique combination of phytonutrients – including chlorophyll,
phycocyanin and polysaccharides that can help cleanse our bodies.
The general intake of easily digestible micro and macro elements of spirulina has a positive
influence on many functions of the immune system.
Spirulina is simply the world’s most digestible natural source of high quality protein. 3 times as
much protein as beef. The digestive absorption of protein in Spirulina is greater than beef so
spirulina offers more digestible protein
The protein found in Spirulina is also a complete protein, meaning that it contains all eight
essential amino acids, unlike beans, whole grains and other plant-based foods that typically lack
one or more amino acids. So when it comes to protein, Spirulina is the world’s best source for it
Many of the vitamins found in Spirulina: all of the B vitamins, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, provitamin
A and so on.
Spirulina is also rich in minerals! Essential minerals may be missing from conventional foods grown
in depleted soils. Most isolated mineral supplements aren’t well absorbed or utilized by our
bodies.
Many people have a common serious mineral deficiency in their bodies due to unbalance diet. If
you are calcium deficient, although eating moderate amounts of calcium found in meat and
dairy products, your bodies can’t use it because they don’t have the magnesium and Vitamin D
necessary to turn calcium into strong bones. With spirulina, however, this superfood contains
calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, zinc, selenium, other trace minerals and other cofactors
needed working together hand in hand.
Essential fatty acids (EFAs) are the “good” fats you’ve been increasingly hearing about in recent
years. Your body can’t live without them. They’re needed for a healthy heart, a healthy nervous
system, and especially a healthy brain (the human brain is around 80% fat).
Spirulina contains GLA and Omega-3 fatty acids. It is especially high in GLA, 3 times higher than
evening primrose oil. We cannot make GLA in our body, we need to take it from food.
Spirulina is commonly known as blue-green algae. It contains phycocyanin, a potent anti-cancer
phytochemical that also gives spirulina its characteristic blue hue
Structure of Spirulina (Blue-green algae)
Spirulina has been accredited and certified by the leading institutes of the world
such as:The United Nations Organization (UNO) in its World Food Conference of 1974 declared
Spirulina as “The Best Food for Tomorrow”.
World Health Organization (WHO) has hailed Spirulina “The greatest superfood on
earth”.
Spirulina won “The Best Natural Food” award in West Germany’s International Food
Expo 1983.
Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations declared “Spirulina is
the Most Ideal Food of the 21st Century.
Spirulina has been proposed by both NASA and the European Space Agency as one of
the primary food to be cultivated during long-term space missions because it is one of the
most efficient, oxygen-generating, high potency foods known.
The U. N. Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) commissioned a five-year
toxicology study on Spirulina and found it to be a safe, nontoxic food, and a separate
study "recommended it as a potential solution to the world food crisis and global protein
shortage".
Who should take Spirulina?
 People who are health conscious and believe that fitness is a must
 Busy executives and managers who work hard and pay little or no attention
to their dietary intakes
 People who are Career oriented who always call for more clarity of mind to
accept challenges.
 In today's era, where budding children eat less food and vegetables, Spirulina
can be a good health supplement
 Students who need to keep their brains tick to be attentive in the world of
competition and also those who are away from their home and missing
their mother's care
 Pregnant and nursing women who need extra nutrients to nourish a smiling
future in their wombs.
 Diet conscious people who are always on the road to a slim self . Eating
Spirulina during dieting is very useful as it provides most nutrients without
any extra calories and does not make them feel fatigued and tired.
 Senior Citizens who deal with problems of poor appetite and poor absorption
of nutrients within the body.
 Patients who are on the recovery stage from illness will definitely benefit.
 Not to forget the athletes and bodybuilders who need loads of energy
pumping into them always.
 Spirulina is the right food supplement for each and every one to improve
their health in general and strengthen immune system.
Important Benefits by Spirulina
Higher and Better Digestibility in Spirulina
Spirulina can fully absorb nutritional contents with its prominent digestibility of 95% and
contained many more nutritional components such as proteins, vitamins and minerals. These are
efficiently utilized in your body. Chlorella only has digestibility level of about 60 to 82%. Unlike
Chlorella, cell wall of Spirulina requires no special treatment. It is soft and does not contain
indigestible cellulose. It is made up of muramic polysaccharide and is exceptionally easy for
digestion and assimilation in its natural state!
Three Times Higher Beta-Carotene Content in Spirulina
Beta-carotene is one of the key nutrition to maintain our immune level, and protect our
membrane systems. 4g/day dosage of Spirulina equal to intake of 6mg/day of Beta-carotene,
which is the recommendable intake level for protection from cancer. As for Chlorella, it requires
12grms to achieve 6mg.
Higher Alkaline Score in Spirulina
80% of Alkaline food is recommended to ensure a balance and healthy diet. Alkaline score of
Spirulina is more than 40, while alkaline score of Chlorella is between 20 to 25 and vegetables
are normally between 10 to 15.
Greater quantity of fatty acids
Chlorella contains a greater quantity of fatty acids than Spirulina.
Process
Our field staff has identified some of the PLHIVS (People Living with HIV/
AIDS) and CLHIVS (Children living with HIV/AIDS) based on the selection criteria for the
provision of Spirulina.
Selection criteria for the provision of Spirulina to PLHIVS & CLHIVS
1.
Based on their CD4 count
2. ART treatment
3. Height and weight according to the age
4. Having any opportunistic Infections
Orientation on Spirulina
Orientation on Spirulina has conducted in our St. Paul’s Office and also distributed Spirulina to
HIV/AIDS infected children and persons. Along with team Mrs. Lakshmi, Project Manager has
conducted orientation meeting on Spirulina to PLHIVS and CLHIVS.
Dosages: In the first two months i.e. in the months of August and September, 2009 we are
provided below dose to the beneficiaries
1.
Adult PLHIVS – 2 ¼ gram per day(750 mg tablets 3 per day)
2. Children CLHIVS – 1 ½ grams per day (750 mg tablets 2 per day)
Progressive other months i.e. October, 2008 to January, 2009 we has provided increasing the
dose. Details in below:
1.
Adult PLHIVS – 4 ½ gram per day (750 mg tablets 6 per day; we are provided 180
tablets per month to each beneficiary)
2. Children CLHIVS – 3 gram per day (750 mg tablets 4 per day, we are provided 120
tablets per month to each children )
Follow up Activities after the distribution of Spirulina to the Beneficiaries:
 Regular home visits of our staff has follow up how can they consume Spirulina daily
 What are the changes has occurred after taking of Spirulina
 What is the process of intake of Spirulina tablets with other medicine(Prophylaxis & ART
medicines)
 Enquiring about the health status of Beneficiaries
 Counselling to CLHIVS about taking of spirulina and sensitized to children on uses &
importance of Spirulina e(some children were hesitate to taking of spirulina due to odour
& greenish colour)
IMPACT of Spirulina within 6 months among the beneficiaries
In our home visits and beneficiaries visiting of our office, they shared some of the changes
occurred after taking of spirulina as a supplement.
 Beneficiaries have sound sleep
 Weight gain up to 1 to 3 ½ Kgs within 6 months
 CD4 count increases based on their health status
 Increased hair growth
 Increases appetite
 Curing and controlling of Skin diseases
 Increased activeness to do work
 Controlling of fever
 Free from constipation
 Increasing of height in CLHIVS
 Prevention of Vitamin C & A deficiency among CLHIVS(eye & oral infections)
Process of Assessment/ Impact report
St. Paul’s has recorded 120 members (PLHIVS-60 & CLHIVS-60) health status in a prescribed
format in the month of August, 2008. It’s a baseline/preliminary report of the beneficiaries
before taking of Spirulina. Secondary/Impact assessment has reported in the end of January,
2009 after consumption of spirulina in the period of 6 months. The impact assessment has
fruitful and St. Paul’s has been taken this project as implementing a continuation programme for
the benefit of PLHIVS and CLHIVS for increasing of life span of them and keep away from other
opportunistic Infections through the increased CD4 count and rising of self confidence of
beneficiaries.
Future Action Plan
1.
St. Paul’s should providing spirulina to beneficiaries in this financial year i.e., April,2009 to
June, 2010 with the support of CCF interventions
2.
St. Paul’s have been decided to mobilize resources and collecting of donations for the
implementation of providing Spirulina to vulnerable people(HIV/AIDS)
3. There are 521 PLHIVS and 86 CLHIVS were living in our operational area were much
needful to nutritional, medical and livelihood support. Based on the survey we will
provide spirulina to 234 PLHIVS and 72 CLHIVS. They are living with the help of our
monthly nutritional, Medical and IGP support. So we will provide Spirulina as a
supplementary nutrition to vulnerable PLHIVS and CLHIVs
Conclusion
Spirulina is naturally found in lakes and ponds high in alkaline content, but in India it is
cultivated in specially prepared water tanks. Spirulina healing and nourishing qualities make it
an ideal food supplement. People who take it regularly say that it gives them more than
adequate energy to see them through a busy day and makes them less stress-prone. It also helps
control obesity, heart diseases and arthritis. There are no side effects, though some may not like
its strong smell. Those with sensitive digestive systems should drink sufficient water so that the
spirulina intake does not create stomach blockages.
St. Paul’s Trust has been continuing to providing spirulina to beneficiaries for the increasing of
their health status and life span of PLHIVS and CLHIVs with the support of CCF-India.
Note: Along with this report we are also attached a Excel Assessment report before and
after consumption of spirulina