Impact of eight weeks of Spirulina supplementation on body fat reduction in overweight young males: A randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Spirulina, a blue-green microalga, is high in protein, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, making it a popular supplement for improving general health. Due to its potentiality for fat metabolism, the study aims to explore the effect of eight weeks of Spirulina supplementation in reducing body fat in overweight young males. Following CONSORT 2010 checklist, eight-week placebo-controlled trial has been implemented involving twenty participants. The experimental group received 5 grams of Spirulina supplementation for eight weeks. The intake frequency increased from 3 days per week in the first week to daily by the sixth week, ensuring controlled adaptation.  No significant differences were found in demographic and anthropometric characteristics between the controlled and experimental groups. Spirulina supplementation led to a slight reduction in body fat percentage in experimental group, though the changes were not statistically significant (p=0.75). The reduction of body fat in the supraspinal and subscapular regions was relatively higher in the experimental group volunteers. The findings of the study indicate that providing overweight young boys with Spirulina supplementation for eight weeks did not have a significant impact on reducing body fat or modifying other physical measurements. The absence of significant change in body composition can be attributed to the duration of intervention, dosage and individual variability in response. The synergy of Spirulina supplementation and physical activity could be pivotal in effective weight control. Further research is required to examine the possible benefits of using Spirulina supplementation with other lifestyle strategies to achieve an effective reduction of body fat.