Research · Crossover trial
Ergogenic and antioxidant effects of spirulina supplementation
Kalafati et al. · 2010 · Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise
Key finding
Spirulina supplementation increased time to fatigue by 30% during a maximum intensity treadmill run (from 2.05 to 2.67 min), and significantly reduced exercise-induced lipid peroxidation and muscle damage markers compared to placebo.
Why this matters for consumers
The time-to-fatigue improvement is striking for a nutritional supplement. The antioxidant mechanism (reduced lipid peroxidation) provides a plausible biological pathway — spirulina's phycocyanin is known to scavenge reactive oxygen species.
Study limitations
Very small sample (n=9); only moderately trained men; 4-week duration; 6 g/day is higher than typical use.
Related studies
The effect of spirulina supplementation on exercise performance
Gurney & Juturu · 2004
C-phycocyanin: a biliprotein with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects
Romay et al. · 2003
Spirulina supplementation improves lipid profile and oxidative stress in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
Ismail et al. · 2015
Health benefits of spirulina and Aphanizomenon flos-aquae as food supplements
Deng & Chow · 2010
New research, when it matters
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