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Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION

U of M testing B.C. algae as psoriasis remedy

By: Lindsey Wiebe

17/07/2009 1:00 AM | Comments: 0

Dr. Peter Jones (centre) with Darren Speziale and Heather Martin, clinical co-ordinators, who hold some of the food algae-study participants will eat.

Patients suffering psoriasis could get relief from an unexpected source: a type of algae farm-grown in British Columbia.

B.C. company Canadian Pacific Algae are involved in clinical trials through the University of Manitoba to see if two different blends of golden-brown algae can help ease the red, scaly patches caused by the skin ailment psoriasis.

Algae are already touted as having anti-inflammatory properties and is used in countries like India and China, but this will be the first test of those sorts of claims, said Richardson Centre for Functional Foods and Nutraceuticals director Peter Jones.

Jones said it's an unusual project, because the centre normally works on smaller alterations of more tried-and-true products.

"For the first time, we're looking at the critical actions of algae on psoriasis in a very carefully structured and controlled study environment."

The algae are being tested in powder and extract form, Jones said. Study participants will eat each item mixed with food for four-week rotations, as well as a third four-week cycle with the same food, but no algae added. Between test periods, they'll have four-week "washouts" where they eat normally, Jones said.

Results from the washout period will be compared to results from the periods when participants are eating algae.

Participants get some financial compensation and free meals, so long as they don't mind a three-day rotation of chicken and rice, spaghetti and meatballs and beef casserole.

"It's actually pretty yummy," Jones said.

The study is recruiting 30 people with psoriasis or related skin disorders. Anyone interested in taking part in the study can visit www.rcffn.ca.

Jones expects it will be eight or nine months before the research is complete and results are in.

lindsey.wiebe@freepress.mb.ca

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition July 17, 2009 B2

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