Spirulina Supplementation Combined with Physical Exercise Improves Dyslipidemia

by | Nov 26, 2019 | 2019, Blood Lipids, Cardiovascular Health, Fitness and Exercise, Obesity, Spirulina

Written by Angeline A. De Leon, Staff Writer. Spirulina maxima supplementation enhances the hypolipidemic effect of a systematic PEP in men with excess body weight and dyslipidemia.

spirulinaDyslipidemia is characterized by an abnormality in plasma lipids (total cholesterol, TC; low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, LDL-C; high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, HDL-C; or triglycerides, TG). The pathophysiology of dyslipidemia appears to be related to excess body weight and sedentarism 1, and most often leads to increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and cardiometabolic disorders 2. Strategies for the prevention and management of obesity and dyslipidemia have involved lifestyle changes such as moderate physical exercise 3, however, regular exercise alone is insufficient to reduce CVD risk 4. Dietary intervention appears to be a necessary change as well, and studies show that supplementation with certain functional foods can be helpful in improving lipid profile 5. Commercially known as spirulina, Anthrospira maxima is a blue-green algae with cardio-protective and antioxidant properties 6. A recent study demonstrated that supplementation with spirulina reduced LDL-C more effectively than aerobic exercise in diabetic rats, with the combination of both strategies producing enhanced effects 7. Similar improvements in lipid profile have also been observed in other animals with dyslipidemia 8. To extrapolate clinical findings to human subjects, a recent study 9 in Marine Drugs (2019) looked at the independent and synergistic effects of spirulina supplementation and a physical exercise regimen in a group of men with dyslipidemia.

A total of 52 sedentary men (mean age = 26 +/- 5 years) with a body mass index (BMI) of 25 kg/m-2 or higher (overweight or obese) were enrolled in a randomized, controlled, double-blind, crossover trial in which they were randomly allocated to a physical exercise protocol (PEP, muscular endurance and cardiovascular exercise for 5 days a week, including high-intensity interval training) or no exercise. Within each exercise group, participants were randomized to receive spirulina (4.5 g/day) or a saccharine placebo powder daily for 6 weeks before switching to the alternate arm of the study for another 6 weeks and continuing with their assigned exercise protocol (2-week washout period in between). At baseline, Day 42, Day 56, and Day 98, BMI measurements were taken and blood samples were collected and analyzed to determine plasma lipid profile.

From baseline to Day 42, the spirulina group assigned to PEP showed significant improvement in TC, LDL-C, and HDL-C (p < 0.05 for all), with dyslipidemic subjects in this group showing improvement on all blood lipid parameters (p < 0.05 for all). Analyses of absolute change from baseline to final follow-up revealed a significant reduction for the spirulina + PEP group, relative to control (placebo + no exercise), in plasma levels of TC (Δ change = -34 mg/dL-1) and LDL-C (Δ change = -37 mg/dL-1), and BMI (Δ change = -0.7 kg/m-2) (p < 0.05 for all). HDL-C also improved for dyslipidemic subjects in the spirulina + PEP group, as compared to controls (Δ change = +8 mg/dL-1, p < 0.05). Dyslipidemic subjects in the exercise only group demonstrated similar levels of absolute improvement as the spirulina + PEP group, however, improvements applied only to TC and LDL-C measures and were to a relatively lesser degree.

Study results highlight the synergistic benefits achieved by combining spirulina supplementation and a systematic exercise program in overweight/obese individuals with dyslipidemia. While spirulina intake and participation in PEP independently resulted in significant improvement on blood lipid concentrations, the integration of both interventions, over a period of 6 weeks, produced the greatest effect on blood lipid profile and BMI of subjects. Results should be replicated using a longer trial duration, along with the measurement of other specific markers of cardiovascular risk, such as creatine kinase.  A major limitation of the study relates to the use of an all-male subject pool. Additional studies involving female participants, as well as individuals from other clinical populations (e.g., metabolic disorder), are needed.

Source: Hernandez-Lepe MA, Wall-Medrano A, Lopez-Diaz JA, et al. Hypolipidemic effect of arthrospira (spirulina) maxima supplementation and a systematic physical exercise program in overweight and obese men: a double-blind, randomized, and crossover controlled trial. Marine drugs. 2019; 17: 270. DOI: 10.3390/md17050270.

© 2019 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

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Posted November 26, 2019.

Angeline A. De Leon, MA, graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 2010, completing a bachelor’s degree in psychology, with a concentration in neuroscience. She received her master’s degree from The Ohio State University in 2013, where she studied clinical neuroscience within an integrative health program. Her specialized area of research involves the complementary use of neuroimaging and neuropsychology-based methodologies to examine how lifestyle factors, such as physical activity and meditation, can influence brain plasticity and enhance overall connectivity.

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