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At present, research is evolving on Spirulina supplementation. Even though, the U.S National Institutes of Health, in 2010, concluded that the scientific evidence was insufficient to recommend Spirulina supplementation for any human condition [5], emerging data speak otherwise. Recently research has shown that Spirulina supplementation helps combat malnutrition among children.. , and adults with HIV-wasting

In 1991, a large non-randomized study of 10,000 children, (5000 cohort and 5000 controls) was conducted in more than 200 villages in Tamilnadu, India by the Murugappa Group, funded by the Government of India. Children less than 5 years were supplemented with 1 gram of Spirulina for 12-18 months. A dramatic eighty percent reduction in clinical signs of Vitamin A deficiency as manifested by reduction in Bitot’s spots,  and xerosis was seen. A statistically significant increase in beta-carotene and retinol levels were also seen. Due to untimely demise of the Principal Investigator, C V Seshadri, the results were not published, but the complete report is available as a Monograph.

In 2013, JSW Group, in India, launched a large community based “Mission Against Malnutrition”, in the Bellary district of Karnataka. Over 2 years, more than 12,000 malnourished children, < 6 years, have received granulated 1-2 grams of Spirulina over 6 months. .

A dramatic 45% reduction in acute malnutrition was seen, as manifested by reversal in weight for age z-scores. This impact was sustained for 6 months post-supplementation . These results were validated, in a non-randomised study, of 1000 children, where a 46% and 67% reduction in malnutrition was evidenced among children who received 1 and 2 grams of Spirulina respectively, as compared to little change in the control groups . A significant cognitive improvement was noted among children who received Spirulina.

The postulated mechanism for this effect is improvement in the gut-microbiome. The Gordon Lab, has clearly demonstrated poverty of gut-microbiome diversity among malnourished children in Bangladesh Spirulina is known to have in-vitro, and in-vivo, pro/pre biotic effects . Studies are underway to examine the effect of Spirulina on gut-microbiome among malnourished children. There are several implications of this research.