Spirulina

Synonym(s): platensis spirulina

Nutrient group: plant extracts & active ingredients, Algae

Sources and physiological effects

Dietary sources
In German-speaking countries Spirulina platentis is mainly available as a food supplement. For some years now beer with spirulina has also been offered in Germany.
Physiological effects
Antioxidant	Inhibition of NADPH oxidase activity and promotion of antioxidative protection mechanisms
Cardiovascular	Normalization of blood lipid levels and glucose tolerance

Detailed information

Nutritive effects of spirulina ingredients

Spirulina platensis is a green-blue microalgae used in nutritional medicine and naturopathy due to its broad spectrum of nutritional and pharmacological components. In addition to a balanced trace element and amino acid spectrum, the high content of polyunsaturated fatty acids, especially gamma linolenic acid (0.5 – 1 %), is of importance (1). Spirulina also contains 1.3 - 1.65% potassium, which is far higher than other algae.

Studies in malnourished children have shown that two-month supplementation with spirulina cures anaemia and other parameters of malnutrition much faster than the same nutritional interventions without spirulina (2) (3).
This was confirmed by practical observations and made a spirulina supplement an important anabolic tool for the accompanying treatment of malnutrition, anorexia, in cachectic patients and in convalescence.

Pharmacological components in spirulina

In addition to vitamins, minerals, trace elements and secondary plant substances, Spirulina platensis also contains pharmacologically important ingredients such as phenols and phycocyanins. The Ca-spirulan complex seems to be of importance, through its synergistic combination with the other ingredients it may be responsible for observed antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic properties (4) (5).
Chromophoric phycocyanobilin, a spirulina-typical component, inhibits the activity of NADPH oxidase and intervenes in the processes of antioxidative protection systems. Since the activation of NADPH oxidase seems to play an important role in pathological processes in tissues, spirulina can be used preventively and therapeutically in a number of diseases (6).

Strengthening of immune competence by modulating the cytokine profile

Spirulina platensis is suitable for therapeutic use in immune deficiencies that manifest themselves in chronic diseases or recurrent infections. Studies have shown that supplementation leads to a significant increase in interferon release and activity of natural killer cells and T and B cells (7). Stimulation of antibody and cytokine production is also confirmed (8). The combination of spirulina with zinc has proven to be particularly effective in this indication (9).
In animal experiments, the body's immune defense improved through the administration of spirulina and a combination of spirulina and selenium (10).
New studies confirm an immunomodulating effect in allergic rhinitis. An intake of 1000 – 2000 mg spirulina for 12 weeks significantly reduced the production of interleukin-4, typical for allergic reactions in affected patients. This shows that spirulina can positively influence the cytokine profile in allergic rhinitis (11). Symptoms such as nasal blockage, sneezing or itching are also significantly reduced (12).

Spirulina and metabolic syndrome

A number of scientific publications are available on the sustained benefit of the preventive and concomitant therapeutic use of spirulina in metabolic syndrome disorders.
In patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus, a daily intake of 2000 mg spirulina over 2 months showed a sustained improvement in glucose regulation and significantly reduced lipid and triglyceride levels. This reduces the atherogenic risk that is one of the complications of diabetes (13). In another clinical trial with healthy volunteers, triglyceride and total cholesterol levels were reduced and the proportion of lHDL fraction increased thriugh supplementation with 4.5 g spirulina for 6 weeks. In addition, the prevalence of elevated blood pressure values in the participants was reduced (14).
There is also a corrective influence of spirulina on the processes of the coagulation cascade and other immunopathological processes in arteriosclerotic changes (15). The antioxidative effects of phycocyanine effectively support the antiatherogenic processes in the vessels (16).

Quality spirulina from controlled organic cultivation

Algae are characterized by their ability to absorb biochemical substances from a nutrient medium. On the one hand, this makes them important components in the purification of polluted waters, on the other hand, this property increases the risk of contamination by unwanted or dangerous compounds in algae preparations. Studies of sample material from China show high values for heavy metals (17) and/or undesirable biological compounds (18), which can have serious consequences for the patient's health, especially during therapeutic use.

The quality aspect of raw materials is a focus of Biogena's product development. The raw material used by Biogena comes from controlled cultivation and is produced without pesticides, herbicides or artificial additives. Thus, the strict requirements for a therapeutic use are fulfilled and the administration of spirulina as a healthy food supplement can also take place over a long period of time.

Reference values

Parameter	Substrate	Reference value	Description
Heavy metals	Blood (Heparin)	<4.0	Lead, chromium, cobalt, molybdenum, nickel, vanadium, zinc, tin
	Blood (EDTA)		Single parameters

Indications

Effect	Indication	Dosage
Physiological effects at a low intake	Complementary therapy for malnutrition, anorexia, cachexia and in the recovery	2000 – 3000 mg/d
	For general increase in immunocompetence Preventive and concomitant therapeutic for allergies, especially allergic rhinitis	2000 – 3000 mg/d
	Preventive and supportive therapy for diseases associated with metabolic syndrome like diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, hypertension and atherosclerosis	2000 – 3000 mg/d

Administration

General mode of administration
When	Spirulina should be taken throughout the day between meals. Hint: Spirulina has a natural iodine content of 200 to 400 µg/100 g.
Side effects
No side effects are known to date.
Contraindications
No contraindications are known to date.

Interactions

Drug interactions
None	No interactions are known to date.
Nutrient interactions
None	No interactions are known to date.

References

1) Ötles, S., Pire, R. 2001. Fatty acid composition of Chlorella and Spirulina microalgae species. J AOAC Int. 84(6):1708-14.
2) Simpore, J. et al. 2005. Nutrition rehabilitation of HIV-infected and HIV-negative undernourished children utilizing spirulina. Ann Nutr Metab. 49(6):373-80. doi: 10.1159/000088889.
3) Matondo, F. K. et al. 2016. Spirulina Supplements Improved the Nutritional Status of Undernourished Children Quickly and Significantly: Experience from Kisantu, the Democratic Republic of the Congo. International Journal of Pediatrics. 1-5. doi: 10.1155/2016/1296414.
4) Chamorro, G. et al. 2002. Update on the pharmacology of Spirulina (Arthrospira), an unconventional food. Arch Latinoam Nutr. 52(3):232-40.
5) Chamorro, G. et al. 1996. Pharmacology and toxicology of Spirulina alga. Rev Invest Clin. 48(5):389-99.
6) McCarty, M. F. 2007. Clinical potential of Spirulina as a source of phycocyanobilin. J Med Food. 10(4):566-70. doi: 10.1089/jmf.2007.621.
7) Hirahashi, T. et al. 2002. Activation of the innate immune system by Spirulina: augmentation of interferon production and NK cytotoxicity by oral administration of hot water extract of Spirulina patensis. Int Immunopharmacol. 2(4):423-34. doi: 10.1016/S1567-5769(01)00166-7.
8) Blinkova, L. P. et al. 2001. Biological Activity of Spirulina. Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol. (2):114-8.
9) Wu, Q. et al. 2016. The antioxidant, immunomodulatory, and anti-inflammatory activities of Spirulina: An overview. Arch Toxicol. 90(8):1817-1840. doi: 10.1007/s00204-016-1744-5.
10) Trushina, E. N. et al. 2007. Influence of Spirulina and Selen-Spirulina on some indexes of rat's immune status. Vopr Pitan. 76(2):21-5.
11) Mao, T. K. et al. 2005. Effects of Spirulina-based supplements on cytokine production from allergic rhinitis patients. J Med Food. 8(1):27-30. doi: 10.1089/jmf.2005.8.27.
12) Cingi, C. et al. 2008. The effects of spirulina on allergic rhinitis. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 265(10):1219-1223. doi: 10.1007/s00405-008-0642-8.
13) Parikh, P. et al. 2001. Role of Spirulina in the control of glycemia and lipidemia in type 2 diabetes mellitus. Med Food. 4(4):193-9. doi: 10.1089/10966200152744463.
14) Torres-Duran, P. V. et al. 2007. Antihyperlipemic and antihypertensive effects of Spirulina maxima in an open sample of Mexican population: a preliminary report. Lipids Health Dis. 6:33. doi: 10.1186/1476-511X-6-33.
15) Ionov, V. A., Basova, M. M. 2003. Use of blue-green micro-seaweed Spirulina platensis for the correction of lipid and hemostatic disturbances in patients with ischemic heart disease. Vopr Pitan. 72(6):28-31.
16) Riss, J. et al. 2007. Phycobiliprotein C-phycocyanin from Spirulina platensis is powerfully responsible for reducing oxidative stress and NADPH oxidase expression induced by an atherogenic diet in hamsters. J Agric Food Chem. 55(19):7962-7. doi: 10.1021/jf070529g.
17) Doshi, H. 2008. Bioaccumulation of heavy metals by green algae. Curr Microbiol. 56(3):246-55. doi: 10.1007/s00284-007-9070-z.
18) Jiang, Y. 2008. Detection of the hepatotoxic microcystins in 36 kinds of cyanobacteria Spirulina food products in China. Food Addit Contam. 25(7):885-94.

References Interactions

Stargrove, M. B. et al. Herb, Nutrient and Drug Interactions: Clinical Implications and Therapeutic Strategies, 1. Auflage. St. Louis, Missouri: Elsevier Health Sciences, 2008.
Gröber, U. Mikronährstoffe: Metabolic Tuning –Prävention –Therapie, 3. Auflage. Stuttgart: WVG Wissenschaftliche Verlagsgesellschaft Stuttgart, 2011.
Gröber, U. Arzneimittel und Mikronährstoffe: Medikationsorientierte Supplementierung, 3. aktualisierte und erweiterte Auflage. Stuttgart: WVG Wissenschaftliche Verlagsgesellschaft Stuttgart, 2014.