Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 17, 2026
Author Spotlight: Assessing the Cardiovascular Profile of Patients with Metabolic Syndrome
Published on: September 27, 2024
Spirulina's impacts on cardiovascular health: Insights from a systematic meta-analysis of RCT
Hamidreza Shiri1, Ali Akbar Soleimani2, Behnam Omidi Sarajar3
1Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Students' Scientific Research Center (SSRC), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Introduction:
CVDs are considered the major public health concern and mortality in the world. Common treatments have some side effects and require low-risk treatments, such as herbal medicine. Spirulina is a filamentous microalga that has improved cardiometabolic parameters.
Methods:
Systematic searches were conducted in Scopus, ISI Web of Science, and PubMed/Medline databases up to 20 January 2025 to identify RCTs based on the PRISMA checklist and PICOS criteria (People > 18 years, Intervention: spirulina, Comparison: placebo /control, Outcomes: TG, TC, LDL-C, HDL-C, FBG, HbA1c, insulin, HOMA-IR, SBP, DBP, BMI, weight, hs-CRP, IL-6, TNF-α, and Study: RCTs). Meta- analysis was utilized by random-effects models, and the GRADE criteria ensured the certainty of results.
Result:
The results of 35 trials (45 effect sizes) show that spirulina intake improved glucose homeostasis (FBG; WMD: -5.51 (mg/dl); P = 0.001, HOMA-IR; WMD: -0.68; P < 0.001, and insulin; WMD: -0.86 (ng/ml); P = 0.002), decreased dyslipidemia (TG; WMD: -14.75 (mg/dl); P < 0.001, TC: WMD: -11.5 (mg/dl); P < 0.001, LDL-C; WMD: -7.69 (mg/dl); P < 0.001, and HDL-C; WMD: 1.9 (mg/dl); P < 0.001), decreased blood pressure (SBP; WMD: -3.85 mmHg, P = 0.002, and DBP; WMD: -3.09 mmHg, P < 0.001), reduced anthropometric indexes (weight; WMD: -1.78 kg; P = 0.003, and BMI; WMD: -0.58 kg/m²; P = 0.001), and decreased inflammation (TNF-α; WMD: -0.46 pg/ml; P = 0.01, IL-6; WMD: -0.58 pg/ml; P < 0.001, and hs-CRP; WMD: -0.86 mg/L; P = 0.002). Based on GRADE analysis, LDL-C, FBG, and HbA1c had of low quality, while the outcome for weight was of high quality. Furthermore, other parameters had moderate-quality outcomes.
Conclusion:
This study demonstrates that spirulina supplementation effectively reduces the risk of CVD in adults by improving glucose homeostasis, dyslipidemia, blood pressure, anthropometric indexes, and inflammation. So, intake of spirulina is an adjunct or complementary to improve cardiometabolic profiles.
Trial Registration:
PROSPERO registration cod: (CRD42024626090).
Related Concept Videos
01:26Atherosclerosis III: Management
01:27Psychoneuroimmunology: Cardiovascular Disease
A key area of focus in PNI is the relationship between stress and coronary...
01:20Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System I: Cardiac Biomarkers
The essential diagnostic tools for detecting myocardial necrosis and monitoring individuals suspected of having acute coronary syndrome (ACS) include:
Troponins
Troponins, particularly cardiac troponins I and T, are the most precise and sensitive markers of myocardial injury. They are detectable within 4-6 hours of myocardial injury and remain...
01:20Exercise and Cardiovascular Response
Light to moderate physical activity initiates a series of interconnected responses in the body. The heart rate modestly increases in anticipation of the workout, followed by widespread vasodilation as oxygen consumption by skeletal muscles increases. This results in decreased peripheral resistance, increased capillary blood flow, and accelerated...
01:19Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System II: CRP, Hcy, and Cardiac Natriuretic Peptide Markers
These markers indicate stress or strain on the heart muscle:
Natriuretic Peptides (BNP)
Cardiac myocytes produce these hormones in response to ventricular stretching...
01:26Coronary Artery Disease IV: Preventive Measures