Ergogenic and Antioxidant Effects of Spirulina Supplementation in Humans

“…Many experimental studies have attributed the beneficial effects of Spirulina with its antioxidant capacity (Chu et al, 2010;Kim et al, 2010;Ponce-Canchihuaman et al, 2010), due to its content of phenolic compounds, such as g-linolenic acid, a-tocopherol, phycobiliproteins, and other phytochemicals (Dartsch, 2007;Kalafati et al, 2010). Consequently, it has been considered as a functional food, because of its ability to provide medical or health benefits, including the prevention and/or treatment of diseases (Baptista, 2008).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Preclinical antitoxic properties ofSpirulina(Arthrospira)

Martínez-Galero

Pérez-Pasten

Pérez-Juárez

et al. 2015

Pharmaceutical Biology

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Context: Spirulina (Arthrospira) exerts a wide spectrum of pharmacological activities which are mainly attributed to its antioxidant effect. However, Spirulina has also been reported (both in preclinical and in clinical scenarios) to exhibit other bioactive effects, including an antitoxic potential.Objective: We performed a systematic review of the literature, conducted in TOXNET, PubMed/MEDLINE, and Science Direct-Scopus; all available years were included. Searching criteria included the effects of Spirulina on experimental poisonings from arsenic, cadmium, carbon tetrachloride, deltamethrin, fluoride, hexachlorocyclohexane, iron, lead, lindane, and mercury. Results: In all cases, it was established that the blue-green alga, and its isolated compounds, effectively counteracted these pollutants toxic effects on the exposed organisms. Some molecular mechanisms are proposed, although they have not been fully elucidated yet. Conclusion: Spirulina could be a useful coadjuvant agent within clinical practice for treatment of these or other pollutants poisonings.ARTICLE HISTORY

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“…Therefore, the reason for increasing the intensity to 90% of VO 2max was to exhaust subjects in a fast way. This model of assessing performance has been used in previous work that was concluded in our lab [26]. Exercise time to exhaustion (from the increase of the resistance to inability to maintain the cadence) was recorded to the nearest second.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The effects of low and high glycemic index foods on exercise performance and beta-endorphin responses

Jamurtas

Tofas

Fatouros

et al. 2011

Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition

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Τhe aim of this study was to examine the effects of the consumption of foods of various glycemic index values on performance, β-endorphin levels and substrate (fat and carbohydrate) utilization during prolonged exercise. Eight untrained healthy males underwent, in a randomized counterbalanced design, three experimental conditions under which they received carbohydrates (1.5 gr. kg-1 of body weight) of low glycemic index (LGI), high glycemic index (HGI) or placebo. Food was administered 30 min prior to exercise. Subjects cycled for 60 min at an intensity corresponding to 65% of VO2max, which was increased to 90% of VO2max, then they cycled until exhaustion and the time to exhaustion was recorded. Blood was collected prior to food consumption, 15 min prior to exercise, 0, 20, 40, and 60 min into exercise as well as at exhaustion. Blood was analyzed for β-endorphin, glucose, insulin, and lactate. The mean time to exhaustion did not differ between the three conditions (LGI = 3.2 ± 0.9 min; HGI = 2.9 ± 0.9 min; placebo = 2.7 ± 0.7 min). There was a significant interaction in glucose and insulin response (P < 0.05) with HGI exhibiting higher values before exercise. β-endorphin increased significantly (P < 0.05) at the end of exercise without, however, a significant interaction between the three conditions. Rate of perceived exertion, heart rate, ventilation, lactate, respiratory quotient and substrate oxidation rate did not differ between the three conditions. The present study indicates that ingestion of foods of different glycemic index 30 min prior to one hour cycling exercise does not result in significant changes in exercise performance, β-endorphin levels as well as carbohydrate and fat oxidation during exercise.

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Ergogenic and Antioxidant Effects of Spirulina Supplementation in Humans

Abstract: Spirulina supplementation induced a significant increase in exercise performance, fat oxidation, and GSH concentration and attenuated the exercise-induced increase in lipid peroxidation.

Cited by 96 publications

References 45 publications

Spirulina does not decrease muscle damage nor oxdidative stress in cycling athletes with adequate nutritional status

Spirulina does not decrease muscle damage nor oxdidative stress in cycling athletes with adequate nutritional status

Preclinical antitoxic properties ofSpirulina(Arthrospira)

The effects of low and high glycemic index foods on exercise performance and beta-endorphin responses

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