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Study Paper
Study supported by Antenna Technology, Geneva and
Antenna Trust, Madurai, Tamil Nadu - India.
SPIRULINA - A NUTRITION BOOSTER
Study by Dr. M. Thinakarvel & Prof. N. Edwin, department of paediatrics, Madurai Madical College and Government Rajaji Hospital, Madurai, Tamil Nadu - India.
Study Paper presented at the Seventh World Congress on Clinical Nutrition
A GENERAL SUMMARY
To study the nutritional benefits of Spirulina in a group of malnourished pre-school children (1-6 yrs), a total of 60 children were selected from ICDS (Integrated Child Development Scheme) block and Government Rajaji Hospital - Madurai, of which 30 children were taken as test group and 30 were taken as control group.
The study period was for six weeks, while the test group children were given Spirulina at a Dose of 1gm/day. The control group children were given placebos.
The result are as follows:
(% Of Children Showing Improvement)
| Parameters |
Test Group Fedwith Spirulina |
Control Group Not Fedwith
Spirulina |
| Weight |
63.33% |
43.00% |
| Haemoglobin |
93.33% |
23.33% |
| Serum Proteins |
93.33% |
16.66% |
| Serum Total Iron |
63.33% |
40.00% |
| Serum Ferritin Level |
93.33% |
16.66% |
| Serum Retinal Level |
90.00% |
26.06% |
The study duration of 6 weeks assumes significance, as the beneficial effects over a longer period will be greatly increased.
Apart from proteins, Spirulina also gives Iron and Retinal. Thus Spirulina provides us with a cheap and widely available method of preventing nutritional deficiency amongst children in developing countries and helps them attain full growth and development potential.
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