Clinical trial NCT06936202: Effects of Spirulina Supplementation on Mental Health in Healthy Adults
Official title: Effects of Spirulina Supplementation on Mental Health in Healthy Adults
Study type: INTERVENTIONAL
Overall status: NOT_YET_RECRUITING
Phase: NA
Conditions: Depression
Mental Acuity
Keywords: spirulina
depression
mental acuity
Lead sponsor: Arizona State University
Sponsor class: OTHER
First posted: 2025-04-20
Enrollment: 30
Sex: ALL
Minimum age (years): 16
Maximum age (years): 65
Standard ages: CHILD
ADULT
OLDER_ADULT
Accepts healthy volunteers: yes
Allocation: RANDOMIZED
Intervention model: PARALLEL
Intervention model description: This is a parallel arm, 8-week, randomized controlled study with an experimental arm and a control arm.
Primary purpose: PREVENTION

Brief summary: Spirulina platensis is a form of cyanobacteria, a blue-green algae, and is a superfood most known for being rich in protein, vitamins and minerals, and healthful phytochemicals. Spirulina supports brain health through neuroprotection offered by its antioxidants, anti-inflammatory properties, and hormone regulation.

The aim of this study is to supplement healthy adults from a campus community with 3g of spirulina, daily, for 8 weeks to improve mood and mental acuity in comparison to receiving a placebo.

Detailed description: Spirulina is nutrient-dense with vitamins and minerals which provide antioxidants and anti-inflammatory mechanisms to help reduce oxidative stress and ROS activity. Preclinical studies have indicated Spirulina can reduce inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-1β, and reverse stress responses and oxidative damage in BDNF, nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor (NRF2), and ultimately the phosphorylation of protein-kinase B (AKT), which promotes cell growth. In addition to these benefits, fatty acids, gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) and glycolipids, support gut health and the immune system. In combination, all these nutrients help increase neuroprotection and brain health.

It is evident that Spirulina supports brain health through neuroprotection, antioxidants, anti-inflammatory properties, and hormone regulation. Research supports Spirulina reversing neurodegenerative diseases due to several of these beneficial properties. There have been many studies that utilize Spirulina to improve cognitive function in Alzheimer's Disease, Parkinson's Disease, ulcerative colitis, IBD, fibromyalgia and even in TBI and Ischemic stroke.

Although many of these diseases have depressive symptoms, few of these studies have evaluated the impact of Spirulina on mood. Furthermore, no studies have been conducted relating depression and the cyanobacteria. It is possible that Spirulina supplements can be used to reduce feelings of hopelessness and lack of energy, by providing additional vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and fatty acids, on a daily basis. This study aims to compare spirulina and its improvement on mood, in health college students, by daily supplementation of 3g of Spirulina over a span of 8 weeks.

Eligibility criteria: Inclusion Criteria:

Healthy adults ages 18-65 with no underlying chronic disease or acute conditions, no autoimmune conditions, and who do not consume alcohol in excess, smoke, use recreational drugs or follow restrictive diets, will be recruited from the ASU university campus.

Exclusion Criteria:

Participants will not have been clinically diagnosed with depression or take any antidepressants, anxiety, or stress medications, or any other medications, drugs, or supplements that could influence mental capacities. Volunteers are excluded if pregnant or breastfeeding because there is not enough data to confirm the safety of Spirulina in pregnant or breastfeeding women. Competitive athletes will also be excluded. -

Primary outcomes:
measure: POMS (profile of mood states questionnaire)
timeFrame: conducted at baseline and at week 8 (study's end)
measure: Trail Making Test
timeFrame: conducted at baseline and at week 8 (study's end)
Secondary outcomes:
Other outcomes:
Locations:
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