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Half a teaspoon of spirulina per day makes MS patients fitter and healthier
Conventional physicians advise people with multiple sclerosis [MS] to be cautious about supplementing with Spirulina platensis. They fear that spirulina activates the immune system - and in MS, this immune system attacks the nerves that control the muscles. However, a small trial published in Nutrition Journal suggests otherwise.
Study
Researchers at Isfahan University of Medical Sciences in Iran conducted a 12-week experiment with two groups of 32 subjects each. A had relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis, the most common form of MS.
The researchers gave one group a placebo daily. The other group took two 500-milligram capsules of spirulina daily. This group therefore consumed 1 gram of spirulina daily, which is equivalent to half a teaspoon.
Results
The remarkably low dose of spirulina made the subjects feel significantly better. They reported increased energy and improved physical function. For example, they could climb stairs again without taking breaks. In the spirulina group, the subjects also reported feeling healthier.
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![Conventional physicians advise people with multiple sclerosis [MS] to be cautious about supplementing with Spirulina platensis. They fear that spirulina activates the immune system - and in MS, this immune system attacks the nerves that control the muscles. However, a small trial published in Nutrition Journal suggests otherwise.](plaatjes/spirulina-ms.gif)
Mechanism
In this group, spirulina supplementation reduced the blood concentrations of interleukin-6 and interleukin-1-beta. The decrease in interleukin-1-beta was particularly significant.
The decrease in these inflammatory interleukins suggests that spirulina supplementation reduces immune system activity in MS patients.
Conclusion
"Given its safety profile and potential cost-effectiveness, spirulina represents a promising adjunct therapy for MS management, although further large-scale studies with extended follow-up periods are warranted to establish its clinical utility and optimal implementation in treatment protocols", the Iranians summarize.
Source:
Nutr J. 2025 Aug 28;24(1):132.
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