The effects of Spirulina Platensis on anthropometric indices, appetite, lipid profile and serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in obese individuals: a randomized double blinded placebo controlled trial

What this study found

Spirulina produced favorable effects on weight-related outcomes and appetite, with a greater BMI reduction than placebo (P < 0.05) and reduced appetite in the Spirulina group (P = 0.008). Total cholesterol decreased in the Spirulina group (P = 0.002), while triglycerides, LDL cholesterol, and serum VEGF did not change significantly. HDL cholesterol increased in both groups, but the between-group difference in HDL change was not significant (P = 0.514). No side effects were observed.

Study & population

Randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial in obese adults aged 20 to 50 years with BMI at least 30 kg/m2 in Tabriz, Iran.

Intervention

Participants in the active arm received Spirulina platensis 500 mg per administration twice daily for a total dose of 1 g/day for 12 weeks.

Key limitation

The intervention arm was small and per-arm completion numbers were not clearly reported, limiting precision.

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