Systematic Physical Exercise and Spirulina maxima Supplementation Improve Body Composition, Cardiorespiratory Fitness, and Blood Lipid Profile: Correlations of a Randomized Double-Blind Controlled Trial.

Marco Antonio Hernández-Lepe,José De Jesús Manríquez-Torres,Luis Mario Gómez-Miranda,Arnulfo Ramos-Jiménez,Francisco Javier Olivas-Aguirre,Rosa Patricia Hernández-Torres

doi:10.3390/antiox8110507

Abstract

Cardiovascular diseases are part of the highly preventable chronic diseases associated with changes in lifestyle. Within them, physical activity, low-fat and high-fiber diets are distinguished as the main support for prevention, even when supplementation with nutraceuticals has become a very common practice. Fifty-two young sedentary men with excess body weight (body mass index (BMI) ≥ 25 kg·m−2) were enrolled in a randomized-crossover controlled trial [six weeks of a systematic physical exercise with Spirulina maxima or placebo supplementation (4.5 g·day−1)]. Body composition, blood lipid profile, and maximal oxygen uptake were determined pre/post intervention. Pairwise comparisons showed a significant improvement (p < 0.01) on blood lipid profile in the group of exercise plus Spirulina maxima. Moreover, correlations of absolute changes of BMI, body fat percentage, blood lipids and maximal oxygen uptake were statistically significant (p < 0.01). These results indicate that the Spirulina maxima supplementation could be acting in a synergistic way with exercise due to the enhanced effects on body composition, cardiorespiratory fitness, and blood lipid profile. This phenomenon should be considered to reduce risk of cardiovascular disorders. Trial registration: Clinical Trials, NCT02837666 (July 19, 2016).

Highlights

Dyslipidemia is a major risk factor for metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular diseases, and type 2 diabetes mellitus, is characterized by elevated blood levels of total cholesterol (TC), triacylglycerols (TAG), and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), and low levels of high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C)
No adverse effects of S. maxima supplementation or dietary intake were reported during the study
It has been proved that Spirulina supplementation reduces body fat and plasma concentrations of TC, LDL-C, and TAG while increasing HDL-C, independent of the administered Spirulina dose [7,8]

Summary

Introduction

Dyslipidemia is a major risk factor for metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular diseases, and type 2 diabetes mellitus, is characterized by elevated blood levels of total cholesterol (TC), triacylglycerols (TAG), and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), and low levels of high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C). TC, TAG, and LDL-C often increase directly with body mass and central adiposity [1]. In young adults, adiposity-dyslipidemia follow a relationship. Lifestyle changes must be considered as guideline to reduce people’s sedentarism and to boost healthy-eating patterns. It is well known that sedentarism and energy-dense diets reduce insulin sensitivity and fat oxidation that leads to dyslipidemia. Systematic exercise increases the maximal oxygen uptake (VO2 max), promotes energy expenditure from fat stores [4,5] and improves the plasma lipidome. A heart-healthy diet that include functional nutrients and phytochemical such as plant and marine proteins, n3- fatty acids, phytosterols and polyphenols (among others), seek to reduce the intake of saturated/trans-fatty-acids and cholesterol, and their unfavorable metabolic consequences [6]

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Conclusion