Spirulina health benefits
and side effects
and side effects
Spirulina [blue-green algae], a filamentous cyanobacterium,
possesses diverse nutritional and health benefits due to high
concentrations of nutrients. Studies show Spirulina preparations
increase phagocytic activity of macrophages and stimulate
antibodies and cytokines production. It may also faciliate lipid and
carbohydrate metabolism. Studies also demonstrate its benefits
against several types of virus (e.g. HIV), toxicity and cancers. [1,2]
What does Sipirulina contain?
Spirulina contains high contents of proteins, amino acids, vitamins,
beta-carotene and other pigments, mineral substances, fatty acids
and polysaccharides. [1]
Are the any studies about the health claims of
Sipirulina?
Yes, there are some in-vitro studies about the potential health
benefits of Sipirulina:
Kuhad A from Panjab University, India, first showed the strong
anti-oxidative effect of Sipirulina and then he related the potential
therapeutic uses of Sipirulina on rat renal diseases. [3] Another
Indian research group found that Spirulina protected the rats from
Cisplatin -induced nephrotoxicity via its antioxidant activities. [4]
A study has shown that C-phycocyanin, an ingredient of Spirulina,
increases cyclic GMP/VASP Ser157 phosphorylation and
subsequently inhibits protein kinase C activity, resulting in inhibition
of both P47 phosphorylation and intracellular Ca2+ mobilization,
and (2) C-PC may inhibit free radicals (such as hydroxyl radicals)
released from activated platelets, which ultimately inhibits platelet
aggregation. Thus, C-phycocyanin may be a novel and potential
antiplatelet agent for treatment of arterial thromboembolism. [6]
Another study shows the inhibitory effects of aqueous extracts of
spirulina on the proliferation of human liver cancer cells (HepG2)
and activated hepatic stellate cell (HSC). This study also shows the
fact that the total phenol contents and anti-oxidant activities of
spirulina was higher than that of chlorella. [7]
US researchers have demonstrated that treatment with diets
enriched with blueberry, spinach, or spirulina reduced
neurodegenerative changes (e.g. ischemia apoptosis and cerebral
infarction) in aged animals. And, they may exert the beneficial via
lowering caspase-3 activity in the ischemic hemisphere. [8]
Researchers from Turkey show the antimicrobial activity of the
volatile components of Spirulina platensis (heptadecane and
tetradecane) in vitro. [9]
Are there any warnings or side effects of Sipirulina?
The side effects of Sipirulina for health subjects are limited.
However, a study of mice shows that intake of spirulina decreases
bone mineral density under estrogen-deficient conditions. [5] A
major ingredient of Spirulina is a anti-platelet agent, which may
interact some cardiovascular agents. [6]
Indian scientists have shown the protective effect of Spirulina on
lead-induced changes in the levels of lipid peroxidation and
endogenous antioxidants in liver, lung, heart, kidney and brain of
rats. Administration of Spirulina to lead exposed animals inhibited
lipid peroxidation and restored the levels of endogenous
antioxidants to normal. Also, spirulina decreased the lead
deposition in the study. [10]
THIS ARTICLE CAN BE USED AS REFERENCE ONLY. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS,
YOU SHOULD CONSULT WITH YOUR DOCTOR. ALL RIGHT RESERVED 2006
[1] Khan Z et al, Nutritional and therapeutic potential of Spirulina. Curr Pharm
Biotechnol.2005 Oct;6(5):373-9. [2] Blinkova LP et al Biological activity of Spirulina
Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol. 2001 Mar-Apr;(2):114-8. [3] Effect of Spirulina,
a blue green algae, on gentamicin-induced oxidative stress and renal dysfunction in
rats. Fundam Clin Pharmacol. 2006 Apr;20(2):121-8. [4]Mohan IK et al, Protection
against cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity by Spirulina in rats. Cancer Chemother
Pharmacol. 2006 Mar 22. [5] Ishimi Y et al, Effects of spirulina, a blue-green alga,
on bone metabolism in ovariectomized rats and hindlimb-unloaded mice. Biosci
Biotechnol Biochem. 2006 Feb;70(2):363-8. [6] Hsiao G et al, C-phycocyanin, a very
potent and novel platelet aggregation inhibitor from Spirulina platensis. J Agric Food
Chem. 2005 Oct 5;53(20):7734-40. [7] Wu LC, Antioxidant and antiproliferative
activities of Spirulina and Chlorella water extracts. J Agric Food Chem. 2005 May
18;53(10):4207-12. [8] Dietary supplementation with blueberries, spinach, or
spirulina reduces ischemic brain damage. Exp Neurol. 2005 May;193(1):75-84.[9]
Ozdemir G et al, Antibacterial activity of volatile component and various extracts of
Spirulina platensis. Phytother Res. 2004 Sep;18(9):754-7. [10] Upasani CD,
Balaraman R. Protective effect of Spirulina on lead induced deleterious changes in
the lipid peroxidation and endogenous antioxidants in rats. Phytother Res. 2003
Apr;17(4):330-4.
possesses diverse nutritional and health benefits due to high
concentrations of nutrients. Studies show Spirulina preparations
increase phagocytic activity of macrophages and stimulate
antibodies and cytokines production. It may also faciliate lipid and
carbohydrate metabolism. Studies also demonstrate its benefits
against several types of virus (e.g. HIV), toxicity and cancers. [1,2]
What does Sipirulina contain?
Spirulina contains high contents of proteins, amino acids, vitamins,
beta-carotene and other pigments, mineral substances, fatty acids
and polysaccharides. [1]
Are the any studies about the health claims of
Sipirulina?
Yes, there are some in-vitro studies about the potential health
benefits of Sipirulina:
Kuhad A from Panjab University, India, first showed the strong
anti-oxidative effect of Sipirulina and then he related the potential
therapeutic uses of Sipirulina on rat renal diseases. [3] Another
Indian research group found that Spirulina protected the rats from
Cisplatin -induced nephrotoxicity via its antioxidant activities. [4]
A study has shown that C-phycocyanin, an ingredient of Spirulina,
increases cyclic GMP/VASP Ser157 phosphorylation and
subsequently inhibits protein kinase C activity, resulting in inhibition
of both P47 phosphorylation and intracellular Ca2+ mobilization,
and (2) C-PC may inhibit free radicals (such as hydroxyl radicals)
released from activated platelets, which ultimately inhibits platelet
aggregation. Thus, C-phycocyanin may be a novel and potential
antiplatelet agent for treatment of arterial thromboembolism. [6]
Another study shows the inhibitory effects of aqueous extracts of
spirulina on the proliferation of human liver cancer cells (HepG2)
and activated hepatic stellate cell (HSC). This study also shows the
fact that the total phenol contents and anti-oxidant activities of
spirulina was higher than that of chlorella. [7]
US researchers have demonstrated that treatment with diets
enriched with blueberry, spinach, or spirulina reduced
neurodegenerative changes (e.g. ischemia apoptosis and cerebral
infarction) in aged animals. And, they may exert the beneficial via
lowering caspase-3 activity in the ischemic hemisphere. [8]
Researchers from Turkey show the antimicrobial activity of the
volatile components of Spirulina platensis (heptadecane and
tetradecane) in vitro. [9]
Are there any warnings or side effects of Sipirulina?
The side effects of Sipirulina for health subjects are limited.
However, a study of mice shows that intake of spirulina decreases
bone mineral density under estrogen-deficient conditions. [5] A
major ingredient of Spirulina is a anti-platelet agent, which may
interact some cardiovascular agents. [6]
Indian scientists have shown the protective effect of Spirulina on
lead-induced changes in the levels of lipid peroxidation and
endogenous antioxidants in liver, lung, heart, kidney and brain of
rats. Administration of Spirulina to lead exposed animals inhibited
lipid peroxidation and restored the levels of endogenous
antioxidants to normal. Also, spirulina decreased the lead
deposition in the study. [10]
THIS ARTICLE CAN BE USED AS REFERENCE ONLY. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS,
YOU SHOULD CONSULT WITH YOUR DOCTOR. ALL RIGHT RESERVED 2006
[1] Khan Z et al, Nutritional and therapeutic potential of Spirulina. Curr Pharm
Biotechnol.2005 Oct;6(5):373-9. [2] Blinkova LP et al Biological activity of Spirulina
Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol. 2001 Mar-Apr;(2):114-8. [3] Effect of Spirulina,
a blue green algae, on gentamicin-induced oxidative stress and renal dysfunction in
rats. Fundam Clin Pharmacol. 2006 Apr;20(2):121-8. [4]Mohan IK et al, Protection
against cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity by Spirulina in rats. Cancer Chemother
Pharmacol. 2006 Mar 22. [5] Ishimi Y et al, Effects of spirulina, a blue-green alga,
on bone metabolism in ovariectomized rats and hindlimb-unloaded mice. Biosci
Biotechnol Biochem. 2006 Feb;70(2):363-8. [6] Hsiao G et al, C-phycocyanin, a very
potent and novel platelet aggregation inhibitor from Spirulina platensis. J Agric Food
Chem. 2005 Oct 5;53(20):7734-40. [7] Wu LC, Antioxidant and antiproliferative
activities of Spirulina and Chlorella water extracts. J Agric Food Chem. 2005 May
18;53(10):4207-12. [8] Dietary supplementation with blueberries, spinach, or
spirulina reduces ischemic brain damage. Exp Neurol. 2005 May;193(1):75-84.[9]
Ozdemir G et al, Antibacterial activity of volatile component and various extracts of
Spirulina platensis. Phytother Res. 2004 Sep;18(9):754-7. [10] Upasani CD,
Balaraman R. Protective effect of Spirulina on lead induced deleterious changes in
the lipid peroxidation and endogenous antioxidants in rats. Phytother Res. 2003
Apr;17(4):330-4.
