tuneTypical Dose
Trial dosing varies substantially
Supplement
Spirulina
Arthrospira platensis
Evidence TierCWADA NOT PROHIBITED
watchEffect Window
Metabolic-marker changes take weeks.
check_circleCompliance
WADA NOT PROHIBITED
Overview
Clinical Summary
Spirulina may modestly improve some lipids, glycemia, and blood pressure, but its broad antioxidant and detox marketing is much stronger than the direct human evidence.
Spirulina has a real randomized evidence base for modest cardiometabolic effects, especially in lipids and blood pressure. That makes it more credible than many green-powder supplements. The mistake is turning that into broad detox, immune, or anti-inflammatory claims that go far beyond the better human data.
Spirulina is a nutrient-dense algae with compounds that may influence lipid metabolism, endothelial function, and glycemic control. The human evidence fits a modest cardiometabolic-adjunct role.
Outcomes
What This Is Expected To Influence
Primary Outcomes
- Modest improvement in some lipids and blood pressure
Secondary Outcomes
- Possible modest glycemic benefit
Safety
Contraindications and Interactions
Contraindications
No entries provided
Side effects
- Mild GI upset
Interactions
No entries provided
Avoid if
- You cannot verify product purity
Evidence
Study-level References
spi-SRC-001Systematic review and meta-analysis
Sourceopen_in_newHadi A, et al. The effects of spirulina on glycemic control and serum lipoproteins in patients with metabolic syndrome and related disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2021;61(15):2609-2621. doi:10.1080/10408398.2019.1640734. PMID:31359513.
Population: Adults with metabolic syndrome and related disorders.
Dose protocol: Various spirulina protocols across metabolic RCTs
Key findings: Modest pooled improvements in lipids and glycemic markers.
Notes: Main metabolic anchor.
Paper content
This is the clearest spirulina metabolic anchor. It supports modest effects on lipids and glycemia, not broad antioxidant or detox claims.
spi-SRC-002Systematic review and meta-analysis
Sourceopen_in_newAuthor(s). The Effect of Spirulina Supplementation on Blood Pressure in Adults: A GRADE-Assessed Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials. Eur J Nutr. 2024. doi:10.1007/s00394-024-03528-0. PMID:39529406.
Population: Adults from spirulina RCTs.
Dose protocol: Various spirulina RCTs in adults
Key findings: Modest pooled blood-pressure reduction.
Notes: Main blood-pressure anchor.
Paper content
This review supports a modest blood-pressure effect for spirulina, though heterogeneity and trial quality remain limitations.
spi-SRC-003Systematic review and meta-analysis of 35 randomized controlled trials.
Sourceopen_in_newShiri H, Soleimani AA, Omidi Sarajar B, et al. Spirulina's impacts on cardiovascular health: insights from a systematic meta-analysis of RCT. Complement Ther Med. 2025;103242. doi:10.1016/j.ctim.2025.103242. PMID:40953712.
Population: Adults across 35 RCTs evaluating spirulina for cardiovascular outcomes.
Dose protocol: 35 RCTs pooled across various spirulina protocols
Key findings: Significant reductions in SBP (-3.85 mmHg), DBP (-3.09 mmHg), TG (-14.75 mg/dL), TC (-11.5 mg/dL), LDL (-7.69 mg/dL), FBG (-5.51 mg/dL), hs-CRP (-0.86 mg/L), and weight (-1.78 kg). HDL raised by 1.9 mg/dL.
Notes: Most comprehensive spirulina cardiovascular meta-analysis to date. GRADE-assessed evidence quality moderate to high.
Paper content
This comprehensive 2025 meta-analysis pooled 35 RCTs with 45 effect sizes to evaluate spirulina across a broad range of cardiometabolic endpoints. Spirulina significantly reduced systolic and diastolic blood pressure, triglycerides, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, fasting glucose, HOMA-IR, inflammatory markers (TNF-alpha, IL-6, hs-CRP), and body weight. It also raised HDL cholesterol. GRADE-assessed evidence quality was moderate for most parameters and high for weight reduction. This is the largest and most comprehensive spirulina cardiovascular meta-analysis to date, strengthening the evidence base for spirulina as a modest multi-target cardiometabolic adjunct.