Effects of Spirulina supplementation on obesity: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials

Sajjad Moradi; Rahele Ziaei; Sahar Foshati; Hamed Mohammadi; Seyed Mostafa Nachvak; Mohammad Hossein Rouhani

doi:10.1016/j.ctim.2019.102211

Effects of Spirulina supplementation on obesity: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials

Complement Ther Med. 2019 Dec:47:102211. doi: 10.1016/j.ctim.2019.102211. Epub 2019 Oct 17.

Authors

Sajjad Moradi¹, Rahele Ziaei², Sahar Foshati³, Hamed Mohammadi⁴, Seyed Mostafa Nachvak⁵, Mohammad Hossein Rouhani⁶

Affiliations

¹ Halal Research Center of IRI, FDA, Tehran, Iran; Nutritional Sciences Department, School of Nutritional Sciences and Food Technology, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran.
² Department of Community Nutrition, School of Nutrition and Food Science, Food Security Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
³ Department of Clinical Nutrition, School of Nutrition and Food Science, Food Security Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
⁴ Students' Research Committee, Department of Clinical Nutrition, School of Nutrition and Food Science, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
⁵ Nutritional Sciences Department, School of Nutritional Sciences and Food Technology, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran.
⁶ Department of Community Nutrition, School of Nutrition and Food Science, Food Security Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran. Electronic address: sm_rouhani@nutr.mui.ac.ir.

PMID: 31780031
DOI: 10.1016/j.ctim.2019.102211

Abstract

Objective: Evidence has suggested that Spirulina supplementation may affect anthropometric indices. Therefore, a systematic review and meta-analysis was performed to summarize published randomized clinical trials which assess the effect of Spirulina supplementation on obesity.

Setting: Pertinent studies were identified using Embase, Scopus, ISI Web of Science, PubMed and Cochrane library databases up to May 2019. Mean Differences (MD) were pooled using a random-effects model. Heterogeneity, sensitivity analysis and publication bias were reported using standard methods.

Results: Results of 5 studies (7 treatment arms) showed a significant reduction in weight (MD: -1.56 Kg, 95% CI: -1.98 to -1.14) after Spirulina supplementation. Subgroup analysis based on health status revealed that weight change in obese subjects (MD: -2.06 Kg, 95% CI: -2.45 to -1.68) was greater than overweight participants (MD: -1.28 Kg, 95% CI: -1.62 to -0.93) following Spirulina supplementation. Also, pooled analysis showed that Spirulina supplementation led to a significant reduction in body fat percent (MD: -1.02, 95% CI: -1.49 to -0.54) and waist circumference (MD: -1.40, 95% CI: -1.40 to -1.39), but not in body mass index and waist to hip ratio.

Conclusion: Spirulina supplementation significantly reduces body weight, especially in obese individuals.

Keywords: Meta-analysis; Obesity; Spirulina; Systematic review.

Publication types

Meta-Analysis
Systematic Review

MeSH terms

Anthropometry
Dietary Supplements*
Humans
Obesity / therapy*
Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
Spirulina*
Weight Loss