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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Stoneville, Mississippi » Warmwater Aquaculture Research Unit » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #160569
Title: ALGAE--A POOR MAN'S HAART?

Author
item TEAS, JANE - UNIV. OF SOUTH CAROLINA
item HEBERT, JAMES - UNIV. OF SOUTH CAROLINA
item FITTON, HELEN - MARINE BIOMED. RES. CTR.
item Zimba, Paul

Submitted to: Medical Hypotheses
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/25/2004
Publication Date: 4/1/2004
Citation: Teas, J., Hebert, J., Fitton, H., Zimba, P.V. 2004. Algae--a poor man's haart?. Medical Hypotheses 62:507-510.

Interpretive Summary: A hypothesis is offered to explain why HIV/AIDS occurrence is lower in certain countries. In those countries having lower incidence, a common dietary component is algae. We propose that ingestion of algae may provide individuals with antioxidants that help prevent viral infection.

Technical 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 1/10,000 adults in Japan and Korea), compared to Africa (approximately 1/10 adults) strongly suggest that differences 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 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 to 2 tablespoons (3 - 13 grams). Regular consumption of dietary algae might help prevent HIV infection and suppress viral load among those infected.