Research · Randomised controlled trial
Effects of a spirulina-based dietary supplement on cytokine production from allergic rhinitis patients
Mao et al. · 2005 · Journal of Medicinal Food
Key finding
Spirulina supplementation significantly inhibited IL-4 production compared to placebo — IL-4 is a cytokine central to the Th2 immune response that drives allergic inflammation. The intervention appeared to shift immune function away from Th2 dominance without suppressing overall immune activity.
Why this matters for consumers
Provides the mechanistic explanation for the Cingi 2008 symptom improvements. Where Cingi measured clinical outcomes, Mao measured the immune pathway behind them — finding they converge on IL-4 suppression. The two studies together constitute a credible mechanistic-plus-clinical pair for the allergic rhinitis use case.
Study limitations
Small sample; perennial (not seasonal) rhinitis; single-site.
Related studies
The effects of spirulina on anemia and immune function in senior citizens
Selmi et al. · 2011
The effects of spirulina on allergic rhinitis
Cingi et al. · 2008
Anti-obesity and anti-inflammatory effects of spirulina in obese adults
Park et al. · 2008
C-phycocyanin: a biliprotein with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects
Romay et al. · 2003
New research, when it matters
Curated science, recipes, and brand intel — once a week, no spam, unsubscribe in one click.