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Editorial
Effects of spirulina on weight loss and blood lipids: a review
  1. James J DiNicolantonio1,
  2. Anusha G Bhat2,3 and
  3. James OKeefe4
  1. 1Mid America Heart Institute, Kansas, Kansas, USA
  2. 2Department of Internal Medicine, Baystate Medical Center, Springfield, Massachusetts, USA
  3. 3Department of Public Heath Practice, School of Public Health and Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts, United States
  4. 4Saint Lukes Mid America Heart Institute, University of Missouri-Kansas City, Kansas City, Missouri, USA
  1. Correspondence to Dr James J DiNicolantonio; jjdinicol{at}gmail.com

Abstract

Spirulina, a cyanobacteria commonly referred to as a blue-green algae, is one of the oldest lifeforms on Earth. Spirulina grows in both fresh and saltwater sources and is known for its high protein and micronutrient content. This review paper will cover the effects of spirulina on weight loss and blood lipids. The currently literature supports the benefits of spirulina for reducing body fat, waist circumference, body mass index and appetite and shows that spirulina has significant benefits for improving blood lipids.

  • spirulina
  • weight loss
  • lipids
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/

This is an open access article distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited, appropriate credit is given, any changes made indicated, and the use is non-commercial. See: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/.

https://doi.org/10.1136/openhrt-2018-001003

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    Footnotes

    • Contributors All authors contributed to the final manuscript.

    • Funding The authors have not declared a specific grant for this research from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors.

    • Competing interests JJD is the author of The Salt Fix and Superfuel. JO is owner of a nutraceutical company but the company does not sell spirulina.

    • Patient consent for publication Not required.

    • Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; externally peer reviewed.