Combating Malnutrition in vulnerable populations

Impact of Spirulina on Children Diagnosed with Moderate Malnutrition:

Just to remind you of the WHY behind what Blue Atlas is doing in Uganda with spirulina, here a brief recap.  We have sponsored a Community Based Organization called the Spirulina Development Institute. This farm and training center is locally-led and partners with schools in the region to provide this supplement to children. We have also paved the way for scaling by working with the government to get spirulina listed as a food in the country and develop best growing practices.

But again, WHY?

Moderate malnutrition in children is a critical global health issue, particularly in low-resource settings. It impairs physical growth, cognitive development, and immune function, making children more susceptible to infections and diseases. Addressing malnutrition is essential for improving child survival and long-term health outcomes. Spirulina, a blue-green microalgae, has gained attention as a potential nutritional intervention due to its high protein content, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidant properties.

Spirulina is considered a "superfood" due to its dense nutritional content. It is rich in:

• Proteins: Spirulina contains about 60-70% protein by weight, including all essential amino acids.
• Vitamins: Spirulina is a source of B-vitamins, especially B12, which is often lacking in plant-based diets, as well as vitamins A, C, D, and E.
• Minerals: It provides essential minerals like iron, calcium, magnesium, and zinc.
• Antioxidants: Spirulina contains powerful antioxidants like phycocyanin, which have anti-inflammatory properties.
• Essential Fatty Acids: Spirulina contains gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), an important omega-6 fatty acid.

Spirulina's nutrient-dense profile can help combat malnutrition by providing essential nutrients that are often deficient in the diets of malnourished children. It supports:

• Growth and Development: The high protein content supports muscle development and tissue repair.
• Immune Function: Spirulina enhances the immune system through its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, reducing the frequency and severity of infections.
• Cognitive Development: Adequate intake of vitamins and minerals, especially B-vitamins and iron, supports brain development and cognitive function.

So while SDI is operating, we have moved into phase II, partnering with the Masaka Regional Hospital and the Brit Health Foundation to monitor the impact of spirulina on children who have been diagnosed with moderate to severe malnutrition. We are wrapping up our second month of working with 29 children new to the program, while monitoring the children from the first month who reached “normal” biomarkers. Here is the complete results from the first month.

Project Overview:
This report details the progress of our Spirulina case study over the first month of implementation. Participant: 28

The majority of participants have completed their first full month in the study, with a small number approaching the one-month mark. We are diligently collecting and compiling vitals and results for each participant. A comprehensive nutritional report covering the first month will be provided separately upon completion of data analysis.

We have performed a comprehensive set of laboratory tests to establish baselines and monitor participants' health:

• Renal Function Tests (RFTs)
• Liver Function Tests (LFTs)
• Lipid Profiles
• Blood Sugar (BS) tests
• HIV PCR tests (for participants under 18 months of age)
• Complete Blood Count (CBC) with focus on Haemoglobin (Hb) levels

This testing goes hand-in-hand with monitoring MUAC, weight, height and HB and Albumin. The largest take-aways we saw were that the markers around weight and mean upper arm circumference (MUAC) increased dramatically, 15-20% within one month of supplementation!

We are now awaiting the two month summary but all markers are looking incredibly positive. We are pulling from existing research regarding bio-fortification to see how we can work and support spirulina farmers who have sustainable practices to scale and be able to serve potentially, millions of people suffering from the nutritional gaps. We are looking to do this through building partnerships with NGO’s, government agencies and within the private sector to ensure all people have access to the vital nutrients you need to live a healthy life.