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PubMed · 15050097

Algae -- a poor man's HAART?

Jane Teas·James R Hebert·J Helen Fitton·Paul V Zimba
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Abstract

Drawing inferences from epidemiologic studies of HIV/AIDS and in vivo and in vitro HIV inhibition by algae, we propose algal consumption as one unifying characteristic of countries with anomalously low rates. HIV/AIDS incidence and prevalence in Eastern Asia ( approximately 1/10000 adults in Japan and Korea), compared to Africa ( approximately 1/10 adults), strongly suggest that differences in IV drug use and sexual behavior are insufficient to explain the 1000-fold variation. Even in Africa, AIDS/HIV rates vary. Chad has consistently reported low rates of HIV/AIDS (2-4/100). Possibly not coincidentally, most people in Japan and Korea eat seaweed daily and the Kanemba, one of the major tribal groups in Chad, eat a blue green alga (Spirulina) daily. Average daily algae consumption in Asia and Africa ranges between 1 and 2 tablespoons (3-13 g). Regular consumption of dietary algae might help prevent HIV infection and suppress viral load among those infected.

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Acquired Immunodeficiency SyndromeAntiretroviral Therapy, Highly ActiveBacterial ProteinsChadEukaryotaFeeding BehaviorHIV InfectionsHumansIncidenceJapanKoreaPovertyPrevalenceSargassumSpirulinaUndariaViral LoadComparative StudyJournal Article

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Jane Teas, James R Hebert, J Helen Fitton, Paul V Zimba. 2004. Algae -- a poor man's HAART?. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mehy.2003.10.005

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