title: Effects of spirulina consumption on body weight, blood pressure, and endothelial function in overweight hypertensive Caucasians: a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Some studies have demonstrated the beneficial effects of Spirulina maxima (Arthrospira maxima) consumption on glycemic, lipid, and blood pressure parameters. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Spirulina maxima on body weight, blood pressure, and endothelial function.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial, 40 patients with hypertension but lacking evidence of cardiovascular disease were enrolled to receive daily either 2.0 g Hawaiian spirulina or placebo for three months. Anthropometric parameters, systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and stiffness index (SI) using digital plethysmography were measured before and after the intervention.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After three months, there was no change in body mass index (BMI) or weight in either the spirulina or the placebo group. However, a significant reduction in SBP and SI was observed. The patients in the spirulina group showed significant reductions in BMI (26.9 ± 3.1 vs. 25.0 ± 2.7 kg/m(2), p = 0.0032), weight (75.5 ± 11.8 vs. 70.5 ± 10.3 kg, p < 0.001), SBP (149 ± 7 vs. 143 ± 9 mmHg, p = 0.0023), and SI (7.2 ± 0.6 vs. 6.9 ± 0.7 m/s, p < 0.001). The tested parameters did not change in the placebo group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study demonstrates that three months of regular consumption of Spirulina maxima not only improves BMI and weight but also results in improvements in blood pressure and endothelial function spirulina in overweight patients with hypertension but lacking evidence of cardiovascular disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Diseases, Metabolic Disorders and Hypertension, University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland. pawelbogdanski@wp.pl.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Miczke
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Szulińska
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hansdorfer-Korzon
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kręgielska-Narożna
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Suliburska
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Walkowiak
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bogdański
mesh_terms: D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D050177:Overweight / Q000188:drug therapy*; D053545:Spirulina; D059289:Vascular Stiffness / Q000187:drug effects*