Burkina Faso - Spirulina Project

Spirulina: a precious spiral
By Hélène Mercier

Under a microscope, spirulina resembles a coil spring. For HIV-positive persons in Burkina Faso, this green algae resembles a food supplement that provides vitamins, salts and minerals to weakened immune systems waiting to receive antiretroviral treatment (ARV).

Well-known to the ancient Aztecs, this microorganism is now being grown in farms in Burkina Faso. As biologist Jacob Baguemzanré explains: “spirulina’s was introduced to Burkina as a way to fight child malnutrition, and that remains the main impact we’ve sought in our country since the outset.” This minuscule algae, barely visible to the naked eye, packs an impressive nutritional density per mm_: essential amino acids, iron, minerals, fatty acids (gamma linoleic acid), vitamin E, carotene and vitamin B. In a word, spirulina is an ideal food supplement for sub-Saharan diets, often cruelly lacking in nutrients.

In 1999, the first spirulina farm was started in Koudougou, Burkina Faso’s third largest city. A great success, this initiative has been widely emulated elsewhere in the country. Result: Burkina Faso now exports spirulina in different forms to neighbouring countries. As its positive effects on malnourished children are a demonstrated fact, spirulina has been recommended to persons with HIV/AIDS. And with good reason: “Among seropositive persons, spirulina improves antibiotic treatment response against opportunistic infections, strengthens patients and corrects all health issues that arise from a lack of proteins and trace elements,” explains the biologist.

“Without a doubt, spirulina makes it possible to increase waiting periods for ARV treatment,” affirms Jacob Baguemzanré. HIV-positive persons who’ve taken spirulina recover their health and their strength. And yet, to date, no major scientific studies have been conducted to break down the data and regarding the effects observed.

CECI’s Burkinan partner, l’Association de Développement des Initiatives de Prévention en Santé/Solidarité (ADIP/S) proposes that such research be conducted. A large-scale scientific study would enable ADIP/S to use spirulina in an organized and sustained manner so as to expand the care and treatment of persons with HIV/AIDS in the commune of Koudougou. Treating seropositive Burkinans with spirulina cultivated a few metres from their health centre—that is a model for local response to a local issue, and one that is applauded in development circles.

Although biologist Jacob Baguemzanré declines to speak in terms of a miracle remedy, he does affirm: “it may prove to be the best option for a long time to come.” Limited ARV accessibility, the high costs of such treatment and the lack medical personnel, all of this means long delays for patients. Hence the need to find complementary methods for strengthening immune systems during the waiting period for ARV treatment.