Evidence supporting the use of: Spirulina
For the health condition: Athletic and Exercise Aids

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Spirulina, a blue-green algae, is used as an athletic and exercise aid primarily due to its rich nutrient profile and purported antioxidant properties. Several scientific studies have investigated its effects on exercise performance, fatigue, and recovery. Some small-scale clinical trials and animal studies suggest that spirulina supplementation can improve endurance, reduce oxidative stress, and enhance muscle recovery by increasing antioxidant enzyme activity and reducing markers of muscle damage. For example, a few human studies have reported improvements in time-to-fatigue and aerobic capacity in moderately trained individuals after spirulina supplementation, possibly due to enhanced fatty acid oxidation and improved oxygen uptake.

However, the overall evidence remains limited and mixed. Most clinical trials are small, short-term, or lack rigorous controls, and results are not always consistently positive. Furthermore, the mechanisms by which spirulina might confer athletic benefits are not fully understood. While its high protein, vitamin, and mineral content may support general nutrition, direct performance-enhancing effects are not conclusively established. Larger, well-controlled studies are needed to clarify its efficacy as an exercise aid. For now, while there is some scientific interest and preliminary evidence, the strength of evidence supporting spirulina for athletic performance is modest, warranting a rating of 2 out of 5.

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Other ingredients used for Athletic and Exercise Aids

7-Keto-DHEA
acetyl l-carnitine
adenosine 5-triphosphate disodium (ATP)
alpha d-ribofuranose
alpha-ketoglutarate (AKG)
amino acids
ashwagandha
astaxanthin
bacillus subtilis
beet
beta-alanine
black tea
bovine
branched-chain amino acids
caffeine
capsaicinoids
coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
collagen
colostrum
conjugated linoleic acid (CLA)
cordyceps
creatine monohydrate
curcumin
eleuthero
ginseng
green tea
guarana
guayusa
l-isoleucine
l-alanine
l-alanyl-l-glutamine
l-arginine
l-carnitine
l-citrulline
l-glutamine
l-glycine
l-leucine
l-ornithine
l-taurine
l-tyrosine
l-valine
maca
magnesium
maltodextrin
muira puama
Acetyl-L-Tyrosine
omega-3 fatty acids
ornithine alpha-ketoglutarate
peppermint oil
protein
pyridoxal-5-phosphate (P-5-P)
rhodiola
black ginger
spirulina
tongkat ali
tribulus
vitamin C
watermelon
whey protein
suma
jiaogulan
capsicum
bee pollen
cistanche
electrolytes blend (proprietary)
yerba mate
algae
cocoa
brown rice protein
sea salt
1,3,7-Trimethylpurine-2,6-dione
2, 17a-dimethyl-17b-hydroxy-5a-androst-2-ene
Arginine Alpha Ketoglutarate
Antler
Arginine Creatine
Arginine nitrate
Arachidonic Acid
Arginine malate
Arginine aspartate
Alpha glyceryl
Alpha-ketoisocaproic acid
Agmatine
adenosine triphosphate (ATP)
Algal protein
Alpha hydroxyisocaproic acid
Arginine silicate
Bicarbonate
Beef Protein
Bovine Protein
Bulbine natalensis
Ba Ji Tian
BCAA
Camellia sinensis
Coconut
Casein
Cardarine
Capsinoids
Citrate malate
Capsiate
Creatine
D-Aspartic Acid
Dihydrocapsiate
Deer Velvet
D-Ribose
Ephedra
Elk antler
Ecdysteroids
Elthyl-Alpha-Guanido-Methyl-Ethanoate
Ecdysterone
Ephedrine
glucose
Isoleucine
Ketone Salts
Milk Protein
Quinoa Protein
salt
yohimbine