The beneficial effects of spirulina focusing on its immunomodulatory and antioxidant properties

Abstract:

Spirulina, linking bacteria and plants is primitive, has a simple structure but a complex composition. It has been a common dietary substance around the world from ancient times. Although dietary usage and supplementation continues to be popular, there was for a long time no strong scientific evidence of spirulina’s nutritive and health benefits. In recent years, spirulina has attracted scientific attention, not only for its various health benefits, but also at a micro level of understanding the mechanisms of action of its various components. From being a ‘complete’ protein source, spirulina and its components have been shown to have positive benefit across a range of human health indications from malnutrition to antioxidant properties. These reports come from in vitro, animal and human studies. Although, few adverse effects of spirulina supplementation have been reported, most of these can be addressed by ‘organic’ production, good culture, harvest and processing practices along with its careful usage in specific conditions such as metabolic disorders. Case reports on effects of spirulina supplementations are many and with a larger evidence base of scientific validation studies, spirulina has the potential to be accepted by global accreditation/certification/approval authorities as a safe nutritional and dietary supplement.

Keywords::

• dietary supplement
• immunomodulation
• malnutrition
• lipid modulation