Spirulina health benefits and side effects

Spirulina health benefits
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 2008
THIS ARTICLE IS FOR YOUR REFERENCE ONLY. YOU SHOULD CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR FOR ANY
QUESTIONS AND BEFORE TAKING STEVIA. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2008 ZHION DO NOT COPY
THIS ARTICLE TO OTHER WEBSITE(S) NOR BLOG(S) NOR ANY TYPES OF PUBLICATIONS

[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.