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

Marine Drugs
Q1
Oct 2018
Citations:40
Influential Citations:5
Interventional (Human) Studies
84
Low RoB
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Methods
52 sedentary male adults with BMI >25 kg/m^2 (27 overweight, 25 obese); mean age 26 ± 5 years; randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, counterbalanced crossover trial in a 2×2 factorial design comparing Spirulina maxima vs placebo with/without a systematic exercise program.
Intervention
Spirulina maxima: 4.5 g/day, taken orally in capsules, for six weeks.
Results
Spirulina maxima supplementation (4.5 g/day) for six weeks, alone or with a systematic exercise program, reduced body weight and body fat percentage versus control; VO2max and time-to-fatigue improved and resting heart rate at OBLA decreased; improvements were greatest when Spirulina maxima was combined with exercise, especially in obesity; no adverse effects and dietary intake remained stable; these findings suggest Spirulina maxima can augment the benefits of exercise on body composition and cardiorespiratory fitness in overweight and obese men.
Limitations
Limitations: mechanisms unclear due to the multi-component nature of Spirulina maxima; small sample size with limited female representation (seven women completed but not analyzed); participants were all sedentary overweight/obese men, limiting generalizability; relatively short overall duration with cross-over design and potential carryover effects despite washout; potential variability in Spirulina maxima product composition.

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...