Spirulina and inflammation, weight, and quality of life in multiple sclerosis patients
What it found
In people with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis, 1 g of spirulina daily for 12 weeks lowered two inflammation markers in the blood and improved physical energy and sexual function.
The spirulina group also lost about 2.85 kg more than the placebo group.
What they found
Studies in people
Lowered inflammation markers
Blood levels of two inflammation signals, IL-1β and IL-6, fell in the spirulina group over 12 weeks. They did not change in the placebo group.
Better physical quality of life
People taking spirulina reported better physical function, more energy, and improved sexual function compared to those on the dummy pill. Emotional wellbeing, social function, thinking skills, and overall mental health scores did not differ between the groups.
Weight loss
The spirulina group lost an average of 2.85 kg more than the placebo group over the 12 weeks. Waist size, hip ratio, food intake, and physical activity levels stayed about the same in both groups.
Mild stomach side effects
Three people in the spirulina group and five in the placebo group stopped early because of mild stomach pain or constipation. The authors say the supplement was generally well tolerated.
What the authors conclude
- They conclude that 12 weeks of spirulina lowered inflammation and improved several areas of physical quality of life in people with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.
- They suggest spirulina shows promise as an add-on treatment alongside standard medicines, but call for larger trials lasting longer to confirm these results.
How it was done
Multiple sclerosis causes long-term inflammation and nerve damage, and current medicines do not fully control this. Spirulina contains compounds that may fight inflammation, so the researchers wanted to see if it could help people with the most common form of the disease.
The researchers assigned 80 adults with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis to take either 1 g of spirulina or a dummy pill every day for 12 weeks. Everyone continued their usual multiple sclerosis medicines. Sixteen people dropped out before the end, but all 80 were included in the final analysis.
What it can’t tell you
- This trial lasted only 12 weeks, so it cannot show whether the benefits of spirulina last over months or years.
- Because everyone in the trial had relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis, the results might not apply to people with other types of the disease or to healthy shoppers.
Who paid
- Funding
- Funded by Isfahan University of Medical Sciences (from the PubMed record).
- Conflicts
- Declarations. Ethics approval and consent to participate: The protocol for this study was designed in alignment with the Declaration of Helsinki, the SPIRIT checklist, and established ethical standards for clinical research. It received approval from the Medical Ethics Committee at Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran (ID: IR.MUI.PHANUT.REC.1402.070). Throughout the study, the research committee investigator will oversee protocol procedures and ensure any modifications are reviewed and approved by the committee. Participants will continue their standard treatment regimen during the study, which will not interfere with their usual care. The study is currently in the implementation phase. Consent for publication: All authors have given their formal consent for publication. Additionally, patient consent has been secured to disclose non-identifiable information. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests.
- Authors work at
- Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Iran
The paper
- Title
- Effects of spirulina (Arthrospira) platensis supplementation on inflammation, physical and mental quality of life, and anthropometric measures in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS): a triple-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled trial
- Type
- Randomised controlled trial
- Evidence
- Studies in people
- Summarised from
- Full text
- Cite
- Karimi S, Shaygannejad V, Mohammadalipour A, Feizi A, Hooshmand S, Kafeshani M (2025). Effects of spirulina (Arthrospira) platensis supplementation on inflammation, physical and mental quality of life, and anthropometric measures in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS): a triple-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Nutrition journal. doi:10.1186/s12937-025-01200-xFree full textPubMed 40877830DOI
Summary written 1 Oct 2026. Check it against the paper before it changes what you eat. How we summarise papers · Report an error