Why Spirulina Could Be A Helpful Natural Option For Lowering Blood Pressure

Discover really adding microalgae for illustration Spirulina to your fare could beryllium a earthy and sustainable measurement to negociate precocious humor pressure, particularly if you’re astatine risk.

Study: Edible Algae Reduce Blood Pressure successful Humans: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomised Controlled Trials. Image Credit: maramorosz / Shutterstock

In a caller study published successful nan Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics, researchers investigated nan effects of edible algae connected humor unit (BP). Edible algae are aquatic organisms consumed arsenic supplements aliases successful culinary applications. Edible algae person traditionally been an basal constituent successful Asian cuisines, and their inclusion successful world diets has importantly accrued complete nan past decades. Edible algae are disposable successful various forms, specified arsenic dried, fresh, aliases powdered, and successful extracts, functional foods, and supplements.

Bioactive compounds successful edible algae whitethorn positively power cardiovascular health. These compounds see fucoidan, peptides, potassium, antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids, and polyphenols, on pinch inorganic nitrate successful type specified arsenic Nori and Kelp, which are associated pinch imaginable BP-lowering benefits. However, nan narration betwixt hypertension and edible algae intake remains unclear.

About nan study

In nan coming study, researchers investigated nan effects of edible algae connected BP. They searched nan Scopus, Cochrane, and PubMed databases for applicable studies. Studies were eligible for inclusion if they included adults who were patient aliases had chronic conditions, specified arsenic metabolic syndrome, hypertension, obesity/overweight, aliases diabetes, and reported BP outcomes. Only experimental studies pinch astatine slightest a four-week involution were included.

Duplicate records were removed, aft which titles and abstracts were screened, followed by a full-text review.. Relevant information were extracted: study design, sample size, involution duration, algae type, subordinate characteristics, baseline and post-intervention BP values, and regular dosage, among others. The revised Cochrane consequence of bias instrumentality for randomized tests was utilized to measure nan consequence of bias. Random-effects models were utilized to relationship for important heterogeneity crossed tests and subordinate characteristics.

Further, inverse variance weighting was applied to find effect sizes and 95% assurance intervals. Publication bias was assessed utilizing chimney plots. In addition, subgroup analyses evaluated nan effects by algae type, dosage, baseline diastolic BP (DBP) and systolic BP (SBP), wellness status, and involution duration. A meta-regression study was besides performed to measure nan relation betwixt algae dosage and BP outcomes.

Spirulina sp. algae nether microscopic position x40, cyanobacteria that tin beryllium consumed by humans and animals, cultivated worldwide, dietary supplement aliases full food. Image Credit: Elif Bayraktar / Shutterstock

Findings

The database hunt identified 693 unsocial studies. Following abstract/title screening and full-text analysis, 29 studies were included. Studies were conducted successful 12 countries betwixt 2001 and 2022, including 1,583 individuals aged 18–86. These included 27 parallel and 2 crossover randomized controlled trials. Only 9 studies had debased consequence of bias; others raised concerns (e.g., randomization flaws, result measurement issues). Trial long ranged betwixt 4 and 104 weeks. Eight tests included patient adults, and nan remainder included populations pinch cardiometabolic consequence conditions.

In total, 19 studies examined nan effects of microalgae (e.g., Spirulina, Chlorella) connected BP, and 10 evaluated macroalgae (e.g., seaweeds specified arsenic Wakame aliases Kombu). Most studies provided edible algae arsenic supplements, while others provided algae arsenic tablets, pills, drinks, aliases powder. Critically, 12 studies utilized full edible algae, while 17 tested extracts aliases isolated bioactive compounds. Daily algae intake ranged betwixt 0.001 g and 8 g per day. Baseline SBP values ranged betwixt 114 mmHg and 156 mmHg. Baseline DBP spanned from 68 mmHg to 94 mmHg.

Overall, 19 studies reported reductions successful SBP and DBP pinch nan intervention. The pooled effect of edible algae depletion indicated a important alteration successful SBP and DBP by –2.05 mmHg and –1.87 mmHg, respectively, though pinch precocious heterogeneity (I² = 75% for SBP; I² = 68% for DBP).

Subgroup analyses revealed that microalgae drove astir benefits (SBP: –3.43 mmHg; DBP: –2.06 mmHg), while macroalgae showed nary important effects. Whole algae reduced SBP (–3.96 mmHg) and DBP (–2.82 mmHg) significantly, whereas extracts/bioactive compounds did not. Spirulina was nan astir effective microalga, reducing SBP by –5.28 mmHg and DBP by –3.56 mmHg. Chlorella showed nonsignificant trends (SBP: –2.07 mmHg, p=0.131). Studies pinch algae dosage ≥ 3 g/day had a important simplification successful DBP (–3.05 mmHg) and SBP (–3.71 mmHg).

Reductions occurred crossed durations, but SBP improvements were important successful shorter tests (<12 weeks), while DBP required longer interventions (≥12 weeks). Significant BP reductions occurred only successful those pinch cardiometabolic consequence aliases elevated baseline BP (≥129 mmHg SBP aliases ≥79 mmHg DBP), pinch patient individuals seeing nary important changes. Older adults (≥46 years) knowledgeable greater reductions.

The meta-regression study recovered nary important relation betwixt algae dosage and SBP changes. However, baseline SBP powerfully predicted reductions successful some SBP and DBP, explaining astir heterogeneity. There was nary grounds of publication bias. The study did not research biologic mechanisms, highlighting a investigation gap.

Conclusions

In sum, nan findings uncover a important BP-reducing effect associated pinch full microalgae (especially Spirulina ≥3 g/day for ≥12 weeks), peculiarly successful group pinch precocious BP aliases cardiometabolic risk. Whole algae formats outperformed extracts, suggesting imaginable synergy of bioactive compounds. Baseline SBP was nan strongest predictor of BP reduction.

The authors be aware that excessive seaweed depletion (>5 g/day) whitethorn airs dense metal/iodine risks, though microalgae specified arsenic Spirulina are safer. Overall, nan results underscore nan imaginable of full edible microalgae arsenic a natural, sustainable attack for BP management, complementary to existing pharmacological treatments.