Abstract
Spirulina is a microalga that presents various important pro-health properties, for instance lowering blood pressure in the research. The study aims to appraise the efficacy of Spirulina administration on systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP). Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were retrieved by a systematic search of PubMed, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library databases from inception to June 2021 according to a standardized protocol. The effect size of each study was counted from mean and standard deviation before and after the intervention and shown as Un-standardized mean difference and 95% confidence interval. Sensitivity analyses were performed. Meta-analysis on 5 RCTs with 230 subjects was eligible. The amount of Spirulina ranged from 1 to 8 g per day, and intervention durations ranged from 2 to 12 weeks. Data analysis indicated that Spirulina supplementation led to a significant lowering of SBP (Mean Difference (MD): −4.59 mmHg, 95% Confidence Interval (CI): −8.20 to −0.99, I square statistic (I2) = 65%) and significant lowering of DBP (MD: −7.02 mmHg, CI: −8.86 to −5.18, I2 = 11%), particularly in a subgroup of hypertensive patients. Spirulina administration might have a supportive effect on the prevention and treatment of hypertension. More exact randomized controlled trials are needed to clarify the effect of Spirulina supplementation on blood pressure.
Highlights
Accepted: 29 August 2021Arterial hypertension is the crucial independent risk factor in cardiovascular diseases for developed countries, characterized by an increasing prevalence in recent years [1,2].Despite significant advancement in perception, diagnosis, and therapy of hypertension, it is underlined that blood pressure control is insufficient in less than half of the hypertensive patients and it poses a challenge for further patients’ management [2]
Two studies reported that there were no statistically significant differences between the experimental and control group regarding systolic and diastolic blood pressure [18,19]. In this meta-analysis, we evaluated the effectiveness of Spirulina supplementation on systolic and diastolic blood pressure to elucidate the subject
According to the PICOS (Participants, Intervention, Comparison, Outcomes, Study design) statement, our meta-analysis aims to find an answer to the question does the oral use of Spirulina in a daily dose from 1 to 8 g and more for 2, 8, or 12 weeks in adult patients with co-existing diseases reduce systolic and diastolic blood pressure
Summary
Despite significant advancement in perception, diagnosis, and therapy of hypertension, it is underlined that blood pressure control is insufficient in less than half of the hypertensive patients and it poses a challenge for further patients’ management [2]. One of the difficulties with decreasing blood pressure values is that monotherapy is often inadequate and that is why combination therapy may be considered in some cases [3,4], especially in elderly patients. Natural medical products are frequently used as adjunctive therapy to improve long-term outcomes in patients with arterial hypertension and to reduce the number of antihypertensive drugs that are taken. It may potentially exclude the side effects concerned with combination therapy use [5]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
