Spirulina has long been touted as a health-benefiting nutritional powerhouse, although eating spirulina for weight loss is rarely discussed.
Perhaps it should be.
Among the many claims of spirulina’s health prowess are its high antioxidant capacity, broad vitamin & mineral spectrum, nutrient density, detoxification capabilities, and possibly even some anti-cancer properties.
To name a few.
We are not going to get into the merits of each of those claims today, but regardless of the degree to which spirulina is able to achieve those things, its status as a superfood is well founded.
So the question is, can this dietary supplement have an impact on body weight and weight loss efforts as well?
The research is pretty promising.
The science of spirulina and weight loss
A meta-analysis published in 2019 found that spirulina supplementation led to significant decreases in body weight, body fat percent, and waist circumference. [1]
And while that particular analysis did not find that spirulina supplementation resulted in a significant decrease in body mass index (BMI), another meta-analysis published in 2021 found that it did in studies that lasted longer than 12 weeks. [2]
How can spirulina help us lose weight?
Scientific research has shown spirulina has the potential to help reduce appetite [3] [4], reduce blood sugar [5], as well as increased insulin sensitivity [6], in addition to its well-documented health boosting capabilities in the forms of its nutrient profile as well as its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Which brings us indirectly to an important point about natural means of improving health, including weight management.
How to properly fix your health and lose weight naturally
Take your time.
Overnight fixes are not common when trying to change the course of one’s health and improve it naturally.
And that is often a good thing.
Quick fixes can also lead to quick reversals because a proper foundation is not usually set, the proper foundation that cements in success in the long run and makes it easier for you to maintain.
Consistency in the use of appropriate measures is what wins, and that may just be what is illustrated here in the findings regarding spirulina’s ability to improve body weight and BMI.
The fact that they found these positive results after 12 weeks is very encouraging in that it could show that spirulina’s effects are not short term wins, but rather sustainable in the long term.
Sustainable weight loss is one of the most important things to look for when embarking on a weight loss plan. Short term fixes often result in weight yo-yo-ing in the long run, damage to metabolism, and in many cases the total loss of motivation.
Not good.
So when it comes to weight loss, it may be more desirable to be the tortoise rather than the hare.
It may take time, but what matters most is winning the race.
As always, this information is presented for informational purposes only. Everyone is different and what might be safe and appropriate for one may not be for another. So consult your licensed healthcare practitioner before starting or changing any diet, health, and wellness plans to ensure what you are doing is safe and appropriate for you, no matter how appropriate it might be for somebody else.
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The opinions expressed herein are for informational and educational purposes only and are not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis and treatment. Please consult a physician or health care professional for your specific health care or medical needs.
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References
[1] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31780031/
[2] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32967062/
[3] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7061888/
[4] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28431534/