Scientific development and proven benefits to combat malnutrition

It was in 1975 in France that ALE was first discovered as having a nutritional composition fit for human consumption . In 1993 the Association for the Promotion of Leaf Extracts in Nutrition (APEF) was set up to validate the process of using chloroplast leaf extracts as nutritional supplements to combat chronic malnutrition. Cooperation with scientists from Reims University made it possible to conduct rigorous studies relating to the effectiveness and safety of ALE. Today APEF is present in more than 20 countries with more than 40 million daily doses already distributed i.e. 320 tons of extract in Africa and Latin America.

The organization of the Knights of Malta has supported this food supplement program and rigorously monitored the NGOs which distributed the extracts. Medical reports from local experts are unanimous in noting the fast improvement in health of the relevant individuals:

* Pregnant or nursing mothers and children after weaning;
* People suffering from malnutrition, even severely (of which kwashiorkor and stagnation);
* Patients with AIDS, malaria, leukaemia or tuberculosis;
* Elderly people.

The recommended doses are 5 to 10 gr per day for children and 10 to 15 gr per day for adults (annual cost being on average $6 per person per year), it gives the following effects:

For mothers

* Higher birth-weight for their children;
* An increased quantity of breast milk.

For children

* Easing of the delicate period of weaning;
* Appetite returns, weight increases;
* Speeding up of growth;
* Reduction and rapid disappearance of diarrhoea;
* Effectiveness against marasmus and kwashiorkor;
* Better response to education.

Generally

* Regression or elimination of anaemia in 3 months in more than 70% of cases;
* Diminished incidence and duration of ailments associated with malnutrition (infections of the upper respiratory system, the skin and eyes);
* Rapid improvement in several aspects of the blood picture, especially in the levels of haemoglobin (Iron) and of retinol (Vitamin A);
* Better resistance to infections, e.g. Noma in children;
* Improved general condition in cases of serious infections: tuberculosis, AIDS, etc.