## 4 Discussion  
This pilot clinical trial demonstrates that 30-day supplementation with an _Ulva_-derived powdered extract leads to significant improvements in metabolic, oxidative, and inflammatory markers in physically active individuals. These findings contribute to the growing body of evidence supporting the use of marine algae extracts in functional nutrition, especially in the context of recovery and metabolic regulation in athletes. From a metabolic standpoint, significant reductions in HbA1c, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides were observed in the algae-supplemented group. These results align with prior studies highlighting the antihyperglycemic effects of Ulva polysaccharides, attributed to their fiber and ulvan content, which can modulate glycemic response and insulin sensitivity [3; 13]. Additionally, [PERSON] et al. [13] and [PERSON] et al. [14] reported lipid-lowering effects of Ulva via enhanced bile acid excretion. Supporting this, a recent meta-analysis by [PERSON] et al. [11] involving 77 randomized trials confirmed that algae supplementation significantly reduced total cholesterol, LDL, and triglycerides, particularly in  
Figure 3: Significant Spearman correlations between biochemical and physiological biomarkers. Only statistically significant associations (\(p\) < 0.05) are presented. The color scale represents the direction and strength of the correlation (\(\rho\)), with positive correlations shown in red and negative correlations in blue. Correlation coefficients are based on non-parametric Spearman analysis. HbA1c: glycated hemoglobin. LDL: low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. HDL: high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. TG: triglycerides. MPO: myeloperoxidase. short-term interventions (\(\leq\)10 weeks). These data reinforce the lipid-modulating potential of algae. The intervention also influenced oxidative stress and inflammation. A decrease in malondialdehydehyde (MDA) and modulation of catalase activity were observed, consistent with the antioxidant profile of _Ulva_ spp., rich in polyphenols and sulfated polysaccharides [1, 15]. Inflammatory biomarkers such as MPO and ESR were also reduced, supporting the known immunomodulatory properties of Ulva, as previously shown in vitro [16]. Moreover, a significant decrease in cortisol levels suggests that algae supplementation may attenuate stress responses, potentially due to adaptogenic properties. This is particularly relevant for athletes under high training loads, where cumulative stress and inflammation can impair performance and recovery [17, 18]. While these effects may not be surprising biochemically, they hold valuable practical implications for sports professionals. The reductions observed in HbA1c, LDL, TG, MDA, MPO, ESR, and cortisol point to improved recovery and stress regulation. Therefore, algae supplementation may serve as a supportive nutritional strategy during periods of intensified training or competition. Correlational analyses revealed significant associations between glycemic and lipid markers (e.g., HbA1c and LDL, HbA1c and TG) as well as between inflammatory and oxidative markers (e.g., cortisol and MPO, HDL and catalase), highlighting the interconnectedness of metabolic and redox pathways. These findings align with the concept of integrative metabolic regulation, where interventions targeting one axis (e.g., oxidative stress) may have downstream benefits across systems. While the observed effects may not be unexpected from a biochemical perspective, the findings offer meaningful practical implications for sports practitioners and nutrition professionals. The intervention led to significant reductions in HbA1c, LDL, TG, MDA, MPO, ESR, and cortisol--biomarkers linked to metabolic health, recovery, and stress adaptation. These improvements suggest that algae-based supplementation could serve as a supportive nutritional strategy for athletes exposed to high training loads or congested competition periods, where controlling inflammation, oxidative stress, and metabolic strain is critical.