Research paper
Effect of Arthrospira (Spirulina) maxima Supplementation and a Systematic Physical Exercise Program on the Body Composition and Cardiorespiratory Fitness of Overweight or Obese Subjects: A Double-Blind, Randomized, and Crossover Controlled Trial
Study answer
What this study found
Spirulina maxima improved body composition and cardiorespiratory fitness, and the combination with exercise produced the strongest overall effects. Compared with control, body fat percentage was reduced in the SE, Sm, and Ex groups (p < 0.05), and body weight decreased by -2.2 kg in SE, -1.6 kg in Sm, and -0.8 kg in Ex. VO2max improved in the SE, Sm, and Ex groups, and time to fatigue, OBLA, and resting heart rate improved in the Spirulina-supplemented groups; the authors concluded the benefits were more pronounced in obese participants and synergistic with exercise. No adverse effects of…
- Study & population
- Double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, counterbalanced crossover study in 52 sedentary overweight or obese adult men in Ciudad Juárez, Mexico.
- Intervention
- Arthrospira maxima (Spirulina maxima) was given as 4.5 g/day in encapsulated dark capsules during six-week treatment periods within a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial.
- Key limitation
- The trial was small and included only sedentary adult men, limiting generalizability.
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Open PDFOriginal abstract
Excess weight and obesity are major risk factors for many chronic diseases, and weight-loss interventions often include systematic exercise and nutritional supplements. The purpose of this study was to determine the independent/synergistic effects of…