The effects of Spirulina platensis on anthropometric indices, appetite, lipid profile and serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in obese individuals: a randomized double blinded placebo controlled trial
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BACKGROUND: In recent years, a great attention has been focused on Spirulina platensis as a source of potential valuable nutrients for prevention and treatment of chronic diseases. The objectives of the current study were to determine the effects of Spirulina platensis on anthropometric parameters, serum lipids, appetite and serum Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) in obese individuals. METHODS: In the current study sixty four obese individuals aged 20-50 years were enrolled and randomly allocated into two groups of intervention and placebo. Intervention group (n = 29) received each 500 mg of the Spirulina platensis a twice-daily dosage while the control group (n = 27) received two pills daily starch for 12 weeks. Anthropometric parameters and serum VEGF and lipid profile were measured in fasting blood samples at the beginning and end of the study period. Dietary intakes were assessed by a 24-h recall method and appetite was measured using standard visual analogue scale (VAS). RESULTS: Body weight and body mass index (BMI) were decreased in intervention and placebo treated groups although the mean reduction in Spirulina platensis-treated group was significantly higher (P < 0.05). Serum total cholesterol (TC) significantly reduced in intervention group (P < 0.05). Also, treatment with Spirulina platensis significantly reduced appetite (P = 0.008). Mean serum VEGF, low density lipoprotein-cholesterol, and triglycerides did not change significantly after intervention. Serum high density lipoprotein-cholesterol concentrations (HDL-c) significantly increased in both groups while no difference in mean difference of this change has been observed. CONCLUSION: Spirulina supplementation at a dose of 1 g/d for 12 weeks is effective in modulating body weight and appetite and partly modifies serum lipids. This can further confirm the efficacy of this herbal supplement in control and prevention of obesity and obesity- related disorders. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Iranian registry of clinical trials (IRCT registration number: IRCT2015071219082N7 ; Date registered: September 12, 2015).
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Clinical trials involving Spirulina/Limnospira supplementation reported modest but consistent improvements in appetite regulation, reductions in triglyceride levels, and small decreases in body weight and BMI over 8 to 12 weeks, particularly at doses around 2 g/day.
“Clinical trials involving Spirulina/Limnospira supplementation have reported modest but consistent improvements in appetite regulation, reductions in triglyceride levels, and small decreases in body weight and BMI over intervention periods ranging from 8 to 12 weeks, particularly at doses around 2 g/day [159–161].”
From Navigating the potential of algal peptides: health effects, market applications, and scientific challenges (2026) · cites this paper as [159]
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Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredZeinalian et al found in 62 obese subjects that 1 g/day spirulina for 12 weeks significantly reduced appetite, BMI, body weight, and total cholesterol, and increased HDL-C, with no significant change in triglycerides or LDL.
“Zeinalian et al studied 62 obese subjects after administering 1 g spirulina for 12 weeks and observed a significant reduction in appetite by −4.16% (p=0.008), BMI by −1.9% (p<0.001), body weight by −1.79% (p<0.001) and a reduction in total cholesterol (TC) by −4.67% (p=0.002).22”
From Effects of spirulina on weight loss and blood lipids: A review (2020) · cites this paper as [22]
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References 33 · Cited by 127
Research works printed but not linked: 1
- [18]Balasubramanian V SB, Gayasudd in MD, Samreen S..Anti obesity activity of Spirulina Platensis in high fat diet induced rats..Int J Pharmacological Screen Method 2013;3(1):1–5.
- Authors
- Zeinalian, R., Farhangi, M. A., Shariat, A., & Saghafi-Asl, M.
- Affiliations
- Tabriz University of Medical Sciences (IR)
- Corresponding author
- Farhangi, Mahdieh Abbasalizad
- Venue
- BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine
- Published
- 2017-04-21
- Volume
- 17
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 225-225
- ISSN
- 1472-6882 (ISSN-L)
- PMC
- PMC5399840
- OpenAlex
- W2607183512
- Cited by
- 127
- References
- 33
- Citations by year
- 2026: 8 · 2025: 17 · 2024: 18 · 2023: 15 · 2022: 9 · 2021: 16 · 2020: 14 · 2019: 15 · 2018: 13 · 2017: 1
- FWCI
- 13.60
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- gold
- doi.org
- Licence
- cc-by
- Locations
- BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion)
- Funders
- Tabriz University of Medical Sciences
- University of Tabriz
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Aquatic Science › Seaweed-derived Bioactive Compounds
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Pharmacology › Pharmacology and Obesity Treatment
- Health Sciences › Nursing › Nutrition and Dietetics › Fatty Acid Research and Health
- Keywords
- Spirulina platensis, obesity, appetite, serum lipids, vascular endothelial growth factor, anthropometric indices, body weight, body mass index, HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL cholesterol, dietary supplementation, herbal supplements
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Appetite, Double-Blind Method, Female, Humans, Cholesterol, HDL, Cholesterol, LDL, Male, Obesity, Triglycerides, Weight Loss, Body Mass Index, Dietary Supplements, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A, Spirulina
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