Research paper
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
Study answer
What this study found
Spirulina maxima improved the lipid profile, and the largest benefits were seen when it was combined with exercise, especially in dyslipidemic men. In overweight and obese men receiving Spirulina plus exercise, TC fell from 196±35 to 163±33, LDL-C from 128±36 to 93±34, and HDL-C rose from 34±9 to 42±10. In dyslipidemic men in the same arm, TC fell from 226±22 to 189±20, TG from 184±40 to 156±29, LDL-C from 141±29 to 101±34, and HDL-C rose from 30±6 to 40±10. Exercise alone and Spirulina alone also improved some lipid measures, but the combined regimen produced the most consistent overall…
- Study & population
- Double-blind, randomized, crossover controlled trial in 52 sedentary young adult men from Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, all with BMI >= 25 kg/m2 and overweight or obesity; some participants had dyslipidemia.
- Intervention
- Arthrospira (Spirulina) maxima was given orally at 4.5 g/day in dark capsules during each 6-week treatment period.
- Key limitation
- The trial was small, short term, and limited to young sedentary men from a single site, which restricts generalizability.
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Open PDFOriginal abstract
Low-fat diets, lipid-modifying nutraceuticals and a higher level of physical activity are often recommended to reduce dyslipidemia. A double-blind, randomized, crossover, controlled trial was designed to evaluate the independent and synergistic effec…