DOI: https://doi.org/10.36347/sajb.2026.v14i08.001

Pages: 537-543

Malnutrition is a disease that primarily affects developing countries. Children under 5 years of age are the most affected. Nutritional intervention is therefore necessary, even urgent. Ready-to-use therapeutic foods such as Plumpynut have been recommended by WHO and UNICEF for the nutritional care of children suffering from severe acute malnutrition. Unfortunately, recurring stock shortages compromise the care of malnourished children. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of local foods (PASLocs) on the health of malnourished subjects. To this end, rats were fed with Anagobaka, a low-protein food, for 14 days. These rats were then refed for 16 days with local foods (PASLocs) and Plumpynut (reference food). Biochemical analyses performed on the malnourished rats, revealed the following abnormalities: decreased blood glucose, and increased levels of transaminases and uric acid. However, after refeeding the malnourished animals with local food (PASLocs fortified and unfortified) and Plumpynut. All the observed abnormalities were corrected. The local foods promoted the recovery of liver and kidney function in the malnourished rats. This study showed that, micronutrient enrichment optimized the results. Local foods can therefore be substituted for conventional products such as Plumpynut. Their use would thus prove effective in the treatment of severe acute malnutrition.