Evidence supporting the use of: Spirulina
For the body system: Muscles
Synopsis
Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2
Spirulina is a blue-green algae often marketed as a superfood and used in dietary supplements. There is some scientific evidence suggesting potential benefits of spirulina for muscle health and exercise performance, but the evidence is limited and not robust. Small studies indicate that spirulina supplementation may help reduce exercise-induced oxidative damage and improve certain markers of muscle fatigue and endurance. For example, a 2010 study published in the journal Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise found that spirulina supplementation improved endurance performance and increased fat oxidation in trained athletes. Another study in European Journal of Applied Physiology (2016) suggested reduced muscle damage and improved antioxidant status after supplementation. These effects are generally attributed to spirulina’s high content of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds, as well as its protein and amino acid content.
However, the number of well-designed clinical trials is small, sample sizes are limited, and the magnitude of benefit is often modest. Additionally, not all studies have found significant improvements in muscle strength or mass. While spirulina has a long history of use as a food source, its specific use for supporting the muscular system is grounded more in recent scientific inquiry than in traditional medicine. In summary, there is preliminary scientific evidence for spirulina’s benefits in supporting muscle health and recovery, but more rigorous studies are needed to confirm these effects and determine optimal dosages.
Other ingredients that support Muscles
Acetyl L-carnitineadenosine 5-triphosphate disodium (ATP)
alpha-ketoglutarate (AKG)
amino acids
amylopectin
ashwagandha
astaxanthin
beet
beta-alanine
bovine
bovine liver
branched-chain amino acids
bromelain
caffeine
calcium
cherry
chloride
coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
colostrum
conjugated linoleic acid (CLA)
cordyceps
creatine monohydrate
turmeric
d-alpha tocopherol
devil's claw
dong quai root
fish protein
forskohlii root
l-isoleucine
iron
kale
L-alanine
L-alanyl-L-glutamine
L-arginine
l-carnitine
L-carnosine
L-citrulline
L-glutamine
L-glycine
L-leucine
L-ornithine
L-proline
L-taurine
L-threonine
L-valine
magnesium
malic acid
maltodextrin
maltose
Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM)
Milk
nicotinamide riboside
ornithine alpha-ketoglutarate
Peppermint
phosphorus
phytocannabinoids
potassium
protein
quinoa
rhizome
sardines
black ginger
soybean
specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs)
spinach
spirulina
Tongkat ali
ubiquinol
Urolithin A
vitamin B
vitamin C
vitamin D
vitamin D3
Water
Watermelon
Whey protein
white willow
β-nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN)
suma
squawvine
sodium salt
solomon's seal
siler root
eucommia
electrolytes blend (proprietary)
guelder rose
polyphenols
trace minerals
Wintergreen
camphor oil
Menthol oil
wheat germ
Wood betony
herbal blend (proprietary)
Algae
chickpea protein
brown rice protein
AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)
arnica
2a, 17a-dimethyl-17b-hydroxy-5a-androstan-3-one
arginine alpha ketoglutarate
animal Tissue
antler
arginine creatine
Arginine nitrate
arachidonic acid
Arginine malate
Arginine aspartate
avocado
Anserina
Alpha-ketoisocaproic acid
Acetylcholine
Adenosine triphosphate (ATP)
Algal protein
Alpha hydroxyisocaproic acid
Arginine alpha-ketoisocaproate
Arginine silicate
animal protein
blue cohosh
Biopeptide
beta-hydroxybutyrate
bicarbonate
Beef Protein
black galingale
beef
Beef liver
bovine protein
black gram
Black willow
ba ji tian
bee products
banana
BCAA
chia seed
casein
cardarine
Chinese mountain ant
Carnosine
citrate malate
Cyathula
Curcuminoid
cramp bark
chuchuhuasi
Cyanotis vaga
coca
Coconut Water
Cetylated Fatty Acids
creatine
chicken
Curcuma
C-phycocyanin
Cyanotis arachnoides
DL-Methionine
deer velvet
date
D-Ribose
dextrose
Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO)
Dipsacus
Dipeptide
epicatechin
epistane
egg
Erythrina
elk antler
Eurycoma Longifolia
emu oil
ecdysteroids
Ethyl-Alpha-Guanido-Methyl-Ethanoate
ecdysterone
essential oil blend
Egg protein
fish
fatty acids
fibroblast growth factor
guanidinoacetic acid
Ginsenosides
Glutamine
Growth factors
GMS-ribose
glucose
Glycocyamine
Glycerol
Glycine
guanidinopropionic acid (GPA )
hydroxymethylbutyrate
Haematococcus pluvialis
HMB hydroxymethylbutyrate
hairy arnica
isomaltulose
Iporuru
Isoleucine
icariin
ketosterones
Legume protein
Lentil
Lavandin
Lentein
leucine alpha-ketoglutarate
lactalbumin
lipids
Mineral blend
maral root
Maslinic acid
Mineral ascorbate
Marjoram
Marine protein
Milk Protein
Methylxanthine
NADH
Ornithine
Phosphocreatine
Puerain
Phytoecdysteroid
Plankton
Propionyl-L-Carnitine
proteolytic enzymes
Phosphate Salt
pyruvate
Phosphatidic Acid
Pea
potash
Peptides
Qin Jiao
Quinoa Protein
rue
Rhaponticum
ribose
Shellfish
Salmon Oil
Safed musli
salt
Soy Protein
Sida cordifolia
Shilajit
Terpenoids
Tripeptide
Taxillus sutchuenensis
Turkesterone
Trichopus zeylanicus
Taurine
Tynanthus panurensis
Tribulus Terrestris
Ursolic Acid
Vegetable Protein
Viburnum
Withanolides
Other body systems supported by spirulina
BloodBrain
Circulatory System
Digestive System
Gastrointestinal Tract
Heart
Immune System
Intestinal System
Liver
Muscles
Skin
Products containing spirulina
Designs For Health
EssentiaGreens™
Klean Athlete
Klean Multivitamin ™
Vitabase
Life's Essentials Plus
Designs For Health
PaleoGreens®
Designs For Health
PaleoGreens®
Metagenics
PhytoGanix® Tropical Fruit
Vitabase
Spirulina
Vitabase
Super Fat Burner
Douglas Laboratories
Ultra Preventive
Douglas Laboratories
Ultra Preventive
Douglas Laboratories
Ultra Preventive ®-EZ Swallow
Douglas Laboratories
Ultra Preventive® X
Douglas Laboratories
Ultra Protein Green