Effects of spirulina and wakame consumption on intestinal cholesterol absorption and serum lipid concentrations in non-hypercholesterolemic adult men and women

Abstract

Purpose Consumption of the algae spirulina (Arthrospira platensis or maxima) and wakame (Undaria pinnatifida) has been shown to lower LDL cholesterol concentrations in animals and humans, possibly due to the inhibition of intestinal cholesterol absorption. This mechanism, however, has never been investigated in humans. Therefore, we examined in nonhypercholesterolemic men and women the effects of spirulina and wakame consumption on serum markers for intestinal cholesterol absorption. Methods Thirty-five healthy men and women without hypercholesterolemia consumed in a random order daily 4.8 g spirulina, wakame or placebo for 17 days, separated by 14-day washouts. After 17 days, serum cholesterol-standardized campesterol, sitosterol and cholestanol, and lathosterol concentrations were measured as markers for intestinal cholesterol absorption and cholesterol synthesis, respectively. Concentrations of serum total cholesterol, LDL and HDL cholesterol, triacylglycerol, and plasma glucose, and blood pressure were measured as well. Results Compared with placebo, spirulina or wakame did not affect serum cholesterol-standardized campesterol (CI − 0.23 to 0.10 μmol/mmol, P = 0.435 and CI − 0.14 to 0.19 μmol/mmol, P = 0.729, respectively), sitosterol (P = 0.314 and P = 0.112), cholestanol (P = 0.610 and P = 0.809), or lathosterol (P = 0.388 and P = 0.102) concentrations. In addition, serum lipid and plasma glucose concentrations, and blood pressure were not changed. Conclusions Daily consumption of 4.8 g spirulina or wakame for 17 days did not affect plasma markers for intestinal cholesterol absorption or cholesterol synthesis in non-hypercholesterolemic men and women. Serum lipid and glucose concentrations, and blood pressure were also not altered.

Effect of brown seaweed on plasma glucose in healthy, at-risk, and type 2 diabetic individuals: systematic review and meta-analysis

“…This review included 18 RCTs, from which 12 had a crossover design [27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38] and 6 had a parallel design. [39][40][41][42] Of the 18 studies, 10 28,29,32-35 involved an acute intervention as an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), measuring the intervention's effect on PPG over 2 to 3 h. Five studies 27,30,[40][41][42] conducted only long-term interventions analyzing the effect on FPG. The remaining 3 [39][40][41] reported on both FPG and PPG.…”

“…In all the included studies, a placebo was used as a control comparator (Table 2). [27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39][40][41][42] The study populations ranged from 12 to 97 participants. Ten studies [29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38] were conducted on healthy participants (n ¼ 256) with a normal FPG (<100 mg/dL) and BMI (18.5 and 24.9 kg/m 2 ).…”

“…[27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39][40][41][42] The study populations ranged from 12 to 97 participants. Ten studies [29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38] were conducted on healthy participants (n ¼ 256) with a normal FPG (<100 mg/dL) and BMI (18.5 and 24.9 kg/m 2 ). A further 6 were carried out on individuals at risk of developing T2DM (n ¼ 357).…”

The effects of spirulina (Arthrospira platensis) supplementation on anthropometric indices, blood pressure, sleep quality, mental health, fatigue status and quality of life in patients with ulcerative colitis: A randomised, double‐blinded, placebo‐controlled trial

“…Previous clinical studies have reported conflicting outcomes regarding the efficacy of spirulina on blood pressure. 46,47 van den Driessche et al 46 indicated that a daily intake of 4.8 g spirulina did not affect SBP or DBP among non-hypercholesterolemic adults.…”

Uncovering Prospective Role and Applications of Existing and New Nutraceuticals from Bacterial, Fungal, Algal and Cyanobacterial, and Plant Sources

“…This alga and its extracts are believed to have many functions as antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties [104]. Many Spirulina products, now available as super-food/herbal supplements to reduce cholesterol concentration by reducing triacylglycerols level [105], through research on rabbit confirm this characteristic [106], while more recent research on a human claim no changes were made after consuming Spirulina on cholesterol profile [107]. More research on human lipid profile behaviour after spirulina consumption is highly recommended.…”