Research · Animal study
Enhancement of immunity by dietary spirulina
Qureshi et al. · 1996 · Cell Immunology
Key finding
Spirulina supplementation significantly enhanced natural killer (NK) cell cytotoxic activity, macrophage function, and interleukin-1 production in aged mice. Phycocyanin was identified as the primary active component responsible for immune enhancement.
Why this matters for consumers
This animal study underpins much of the subsequent human research on spirulina and immune function. The NK cell findings were later corroborated in the Selmi 2011 human RCT. The phycocyanin identification is important — it again points to PC content as the key quality indicator.
Study limitations
Animal study; results require careful translation to human physiology and dose.
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
C-phycocyanin: a biliprotein with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects
Romay et al. · 2003
Activation of the human innate immune system by spirulina
Hirahashi et al. · 2002
New research, when it matters
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