Diet & Fitness

Blue-Green Algae for Weight Control

Also indexed as: Algae (Blue-Green), Spirulina

Blue-Green Algae (Spirulina)

Blue-green algae, of which spirulina is a well-known example, is a group of 1,500 species of microscopic aquatic plants. The two most common species used for human consumption are Spirulina maxima and Spirulina platensis. Spirulina is particularly rich in protein and also contains carotenoids, vitamins, minerals, and essential fatty acids.¹

Why Do Dieters Use It?*

Some dieters say that blue-green algae helps satisfy appetite and supplies good nutrition while dieting.

What Do the Advocates Say?*

Blue-green algae (spirulina) is a concentrated source of nutrients compared to most foods, but it is expensive compared to other supplemental sources of protein, vitamins, and minerals. Research is limited, but nonetheless has found little benefit of spirulina to dieters.

How Much Is Usually Taken by Dieters?

Blue-green algae is a rich source of protein, vitamins, minerals, and essential fatty acids. In one double-blind trial, overweight people who took 2.8 grams of blue-green algae as spirulina three times per day for four weeks experienced only small and statistically nonsignificant weight loss.² Thus, although spirulina has been promoted as a weight-loss aid, the current scientific evidence supporting its use for this purpose is weak.

Nutritional Supplement

Blue-Green Algae for Weight Control

Why Do Dieters Use It?*

What Do the Advocates Say?*

How Much Is Usually Taken by Dieters?

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