Evidence supporting the use of: Spirulina
For the health condition: Colitis

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Spirulina, a type of blue-green algae, has garnered attention for its potential anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, including possible benefits for colitis—a form of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The main scientific rationale for using spirulina in colitis stems from preclinical studies. Several animal studies have demonstrated that spirulina supplementation can reduce colonic inflammation, oxidative stress, and tissue damage in chemically-induced models of colitis. For instance, research published in peer-reviewed journals has shown that spirulina extracts can decrease pro-inflammatory cytokines (such as TNF-α and IL-6) and increase antioxidant enzyme activity in the colon, thereby mitigating the severity of colitis in rodents.

However, these findings are primarily limited to animal models and in vitro studies. Human clinical trials directly evaluating spirulina’s efficacy in colitis patients are scarce or lacking. While spirulina is known for its general health benefits and safety profile, its specific use for colitis is not based on a long-standing traditional practice, but rather on emerging scientific interest. The limited but promising evidence suggests it may have adjunctive potential, particularly due to its ability to modulate immune responses and oxidative stress.

In summary, while preliminary scientific evidence supports the potential utility of spirulina in managing colitis, more robust, well-designed human studies are needed before it can be recommended as a standard treatment. The current evidence base is best characterized as “emerging but unproven.”

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algal oil
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anamu
andrographolide
anemarrhena asphodeloides
anthocyanins
apigenin
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apple cider vinegar
astaxanthin
Asteraceae
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bacillus coagulans
bacillus subtilis
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bio ecolian (proprietary)
black nightshade
blackboard tree
blueberry
Boswellia
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bromelain
buckthorn
butyrate triglyceride
butyric acid
cabbage
cactus
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chlorella
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colocynth
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inulin
isomalto-oligosaccharide
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L-glutamine
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lactiplantibacillus plantarum
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Lactobacillus brevis
Lactobacillus bulgaricus
Lactobacillus casei
Lactobacillus delbrueckii
Lactobacillus fermentum
Lactobacillus gasseri
Lactobacillus johnsonii
Lactobacillus kefiri
Lactobacillus lactis
Lactobacillus paracasei
Lactobacillus pentosus
Lactobacillus plantarum
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