Effects of Combined Administration of Weight Reducing Diet and SPIRULINA Platensis on Anthropometric Measures and Glycemic Markers in Obese and Overweight Subjects: A Randomized, Double-blinded, Placebo-controlled Clinical Trial

This study was conducted to determine the possible effects of combined administration of a weight reducing diet and spirulina supplements on the anthropometric measures and glycemic markers in obese and overweight subjects.
Fifty-two subjects (25≤BMI Thirty-eight individuals who completed the intervention, included 38 participants (7 males) with an average age of 40 years and BMI of 32.9 kg/m2. Reduction of body weight and body mass index (BMI) were significantly higher in the SP group, compared to the placebo group (-3.22±1.97 kg vs. -1.45±1.86 kg, P=0.008 and -1.23±0.79 kg/m2 vs. -0.63±0.68 kg/m2, P=0.01). Body fat was also considerably reduced in the SP group, compared to the placebo group (-2.28±1.74 vs. -1.22±1.55, P=0.01). In addition, HOMA-IR reduced marginally, significant in the SP group (P=0.05).
Consumption of spirulina plays a significant role in body weight and BMI reduction and also leads to a slightly ameliorated glucose metabolism, demonstrating possibly a synergistic effect of spirulina along with weight reduction diet on improving glucose metabolism and body weight.