In a recent study published in the journal nutrientsa team of Italian researchers reviewed clinical and experimental findings from recent studies to understand the therapeutic contributions of spirulina., Also called blue-green cyanobacteria in the management of cardiovascular diseases and their risk factors.

Study: Beneficial effects of spirulina supplementation in the management of cardiovascular disease. Image credit: baibaz / Shutterstock

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Although spirulina has recently gained popularity as a “superfood” due to its high nutritional value, the dietary use of microalgae dates back to the Aztecs of ancient Mexico. Spirulina, also known as blue-green cyanobacteria, is a microscopic filamentous microalgae of the same genus that performs photosynthesis. Arthrospiraand A. plantensis and A. Maxima These two species are most commonly used for their therapeutic and nutritional value.

It grows in alkaline lakes with high bicarbonate and carbonate concentrations in the tropics, but is known to be able to survive at extremely low temperatures. Spirulina is considered a “superfood” because while it is made up of 60% to 70% protein by dry weight, it is also rich in minerals, vitamins, carbohydrates, phycocyanin, carotenes, and fatty acids. As a dietary supplement, it is added to various types of foods such as sports supplements and baby food, and is popular in the pharmaceutical industry in the form of capsules, dry powders, and tablets.

Therapeutic effects of spirulina

Research shows that spirulina exhibits a wide range of therapeutic effects, including anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, antioxidant, hypolipidemic, and neuroprotective effects. The antioxidant properties are thought to be primarily due to the pigments phycocyanin, β-carotene, diatoxanthin, and diadinoxanthin contained in Spirulina.

Considering Spirulina’s hypolipidemic and antioxidant properties, Spirulina supplementation may be beneficial in reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease. Additionally, diabetes is one of the risk factors for cardiovascular disease, along with dyslipidemia and hypertension. Therefore, in this review, we will discuss how the cumulative health benefits of spirulina can reduce the overall risk of cardiovascular disease, which remains one of the leading causes of mortality worldwide. I considered whether it was possible.

Beneficial effects of spirulina in CVD.

Spirulina and high blood pressure

The effects of spirulina in reducing the risk of high blood pressure and stroke have been extensively studied in clinical trials, and the results of these studies show that simply consuming spirulina daily, even when added to foods such as salad dressings, improves diastolic and systolic This shows that the blood volume during this period is significantly reduced. pressure.

Similar antihypertensive effects were shown when spirulina was taken in the form of dietary supplement tablets. Additionally, animal studies using a hypertensive rat model have shown that the high silicon content in spirulina may be involved in improving the elasticity of arterial walls, along with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitory properties that provide a hypotensive effect. is shown.

Antidiabetic effects of spirulina

Diabetes increases the risk of cardiovascular events such as heart failure, myocardial infarction, stroke, and peripheral vascular disease due to the microvascular and macrovascular effects of hyperglycemia. Cell membrane integrity is also affected by hyperglycemia, making peripheral tissues and the liver resistant to insulin and increasing the production of reactive oxygen species.

Compared to metformin, the standard treatment for hyperglycemia during diabetes, spirulina supplementation is thought to not only reduce circulating glucose levels but also positively impact diabetes-related lipid metabolism. Spirulina’s hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects are thought to have a cumulative effect in reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease.

In this review, we discussed various clinical trials and studies using animal models of diabetes that investigated the hypoglycemic properties of spirulina and compared its effectiveness in lowering blood sugar levels to metformin.

Although the mechanism by which spirulina affects blood sugar levels is not yet fully understood, researchers believe that spirulina may affect the secretion of insulin from the beta cells of the islets of Langerhans or further downstream in the pancreas. We believe that it may promote glucose transport. From the blood to all peripheral tissues.

Hyperlipidemia and spirulina

Spirulina also demonstrates hypolipidemic properties by decreasing the concentration of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides in plasma, while increasing the level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and its beneficial effects are dose-dependent. It is not toxic and is not toxic even at high concentrations.

Studies in animal models and overweight or obese human participants have reported significant benefits in lowering triglyceride levels by supplementing with spirulina, either as a food additive or as a dietary supplement pill or pill. Masu. Spirulina has also been found to be beneficial as an adjunct to metformin in overweight diabetic patients.

conclusion

Overall, this comprehensive review shows that consuming spirulina as an additive to regular food or as a dietary supplement has many potential benefits, including hypoglycemic, antioxidant, and lipid-lowering effects. Reported. However, the dose and timing of spirulina supplementation must be standardized for optimal effectiveness in reducing cardiovascular disease risk.

In conclusion, based on these data, we lay the foundation for developing common guidelines on ‘when and how’ to use spirulina, and more rigorous research aimed at addressing these important questions. Further research should be planned in the future.