The Effects of Spirulina (Arthrospira Platensis) Dietary Supplement As An Adjunct Therapy For Children Aged 7–14 Years Old With Asthma: A Randomized – Double Blind Placebo Controlled Clinical Trial

Lou Ver Leigh A. Manzon-Reyes, Agnes M. Gonzalez-Andaya

Sep 2017 DOI 10.35460/2546-1621.2017-0051     Access   

Abstract

Background The anti-infl ammatory effect of Spirulina has been demonstrated to inhibit histamine release from mast cell-mediated allergic reactions. Studies have documented the anti-infl ammatory and immunomodulatory properties of supplementation as an adjunct therapy for asthma.

Objective To determine the effects of Spirulina sup-plementation on asthma control and lung function among children aged 7-14 years old.

Methods This is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study wherein children 7 to 14 years old diagnosed with mild-to-moderate persis-tent asthma were randomly assigned to receive ei-ther Spirulina (1000 mg to 2000 mg daily) or pla-cebo for three months. Asthma Control Test (ACT) and Composite Asthma Severity Index (CASI) were used for patient report-based measures. Forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), FEV1/FVC, and peak expiratory fl ow rate (PEFR) were determined through spirom-etry. Post-supplementation assessment for 3 months was done.

Results A total of 39 patients (Spirulina = 20, placebo = 19) were enrolled in this trial. During the supplementation phase, both the Spirulina and placebo groups showed signifi cant improvement in ACT scores (Spirulina, p<0.0001; placebo, p = 0.19) compared to baseline. There was no sig-nifi cant change in CASI scores in both groups. However, during the post-supplementation phase, the Spirulina group showed signifi cantly sustained improvement on both the ACT (p<0.0001) and CASI scores (p<0.0001) compared to placebo. The FEV1 (p = 0.014), FVC (p = 0.008), and PEFR (p = 0.0001) of the Spirulina group signifi cantly im-proved by the end of supplementation. Overall, sig-nifi cant intergroup differences revealed only in FEV1 (p = 0.0002) and PEFR (p<0.0001).

Conclusion Daily supplementation with Spirulina signifi cantly improved asthma control, FEV1, and PEFR compared to placebo.

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Conflict(s) of Interest:There are no conflicts of interest in the authorship or publication of this manuscript.

 

Financial support: No financial support was provided in this manuscript. Material support for this research and work are clearly identified in the acknowledgments section of this manuscript.

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