Evidence supporting the use of: Spirulina
For the health condition: Fatty Liver Disease
Synopsis
Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2
Spirulina, a blue-green algae, has attracted scientific attention for its potential benefits in supporting liver health, including in the context of Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD). Preclinical studies and a limited number of small clinical trials have investigated its effects on liver function and lipid metabolism. Spirulina is rich in antioxidants, particularly phycocyanin, and contains essential amino acids, vitamins, and minerals that may exert hepatoprotective effects. Animal studies suggest that spirulina supplementation can reduce liver fat accumulation, inflammation, and oxidative stress—key factors involved in the progression of fatty liver disease. These effects are likely due to spirulina’s modulation of lipid metabolism and its antioxidant activity.
Human evidence, while promising, remains limited. A few small-scale randomized controlled trials have reported improvements in liver enzyme levels (such as ALT and AST) and lipid profiles in NAFLD patients who consumed spirulina supplements. However, these studies often have methodological limitations, including small sample sizes and short durations. There are currently no large-scale, long-term clinical trials confirming spirulina's effectiveness as a treatment for fatty liver disease.
In summary, while traditional use for liver disorders is minimal, the modern scientific rationale for spirulina’s use in fatty liver disease is grounded in emerging but still preliminary evidence. Further robust clinical research is required before spirulina can be recommended as a standard therapy for NAFLD.
Other ingredients used for Fatty Liver Disease
4-hydroxyisoleucine7,14-Hydroxy-Docosapentaenoic Acid
Acacetin
Adzuki bean
Akkermansia muciniphila
Algae
algal oil
Algal protein
Alisma
Alpha methyl tetradecylthioacetic acid
alpha-glycosyl isoquercitrin
alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)
alpha-lipoic acid
AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)
ampelopsin
Anemarrhena
anemarrhena asphodeloides
anthocyanins
Antrodia camphorata
apigenin
apocynin
arabinoxylan
argan nut oil
arjun tree
arjuna
Arjunolic acid
Aronia melanocarpa
artichoke
Ascophyllum nodosum
ashitaba
astaxanthin
astragaloside
avocado
baicalein
baicalin
banaba
barberry
barley
beet
berberine
Berberis (unspecified)
betanin
Bifidobacteria
Bifidobacterium bifidum
Bifidobacterium longum
bile acid
black garlic
Blakeslea trispora
borotutu
branched-chain amino acids
Brassica
Brown Algae
brutieridin
butyrate triglyceride
butyric acid
camelina oil
carnosic acid
carqueja
catechins
caterpillar mushroom
Caulerpa okamurae
cauliflower
chebulic acid
chia seed
chicory
Chitin-Glucan Complex
chlorella
chlorogenic acid
chokeberry
choline
coix
conjugated linoleic acid (CLA)
copalchi
coriander
corilagin
corosolic acid
crocetin
cruciferous
Curcuma
curcumin
cyclodextrin
cynarin
cynaropicrin
D-Pinitol
dandelion
danshen
decursin
diallyl disulfide (DADS)
diallyl sulfide
dihydromyricetin
diosgenin
dithiolthiones
DL-Methionine
eicosapentaenoic acid
Enicostemma littorale
EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)
epicatechin
epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)
ergothioneine
eriocitrin
erythrodiol
Eucommia ulmoides
fatty acids
fenugreek
ferulic acid
fiber
fiber blend (proprietary)
fish oil
fish protein
flavanones
flavonolignan
flavonols
flaxseed
fucoidan
fucosterol
fucoxanthin
ganoderma
ginger
Glutathione
grape
hesperetin
hydroxycinnamic acid
hydroxytyrosol
isosilybin
Jaboticaba
jiaogulan
Job\'s tears
Jurubeba
Kefir
kelp
l-carnitine
L-glutathione
L-methionine
L-taurine
Lactobacillus plantarum
lecithin
Legume protein
licorice root
limonoid
lingzhi
liquid liver fractions
Lycium
mangiferin
Marine fat
Marine lipid
medium chain triglycerides (MCT)
Milk thistle
Monounsaturated fat
Morus
Mulberry
Myricetin
Naringenin
Naringin
Niacin (vitamin B3)
nicotinamide riboside
nopal
oleanolic acid
oleic acid
Oleoylethanolamide
Oleuropein
Oligosaccharides
olive
omega-3 fatty acids
omega-9 fatty acids
oolong tea
ornithine L-aspartic acid
Osthole
Oxymatrine
palmitoleic acid
perilla
Phaeophyceae
Phellodendron
phenolic compounds
phlorizin
phlorotannins
phosphatidylcholine
phospholipids
Phthalides
picrorhiza kurroa
Pinitol
Polydatin
polyphenols
prebiotic blend (proprietary)
psyllium
pu-er tea
Puerarin
punarnava
punicalagins
purple tea
rapeseed oil
Rebaudioside
reishi mushroom
resveratrol
rhubarb
S-allylcysteine
Salacia
Salvianolic acid
Schisandrins
Schizochytrium
Schizochytrium Oil
seaweed
sesame
Sesamin
Silybin
Silychristin
Silydianin
silymarin
Sinensetin
spirulina
Syringic acid
Tangeretin
Tanshinone
Taurine
Taxifolin
Tetradecylthioacetic acid
Theabrownin
Thistle
tocotrienols
Trans-pterostilbene
Trehalose
tributyrin
Trimethylglycine (TMG)
Triphala
turmeric
Tyrosol
Urolithin A
Ursolic Acid
Varuna
vitamin C
vitamin E
Wakame
Walnut
Wax Gourd
Yacon
Yin Chen
Zinc
Zucchini
β-nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN)
Other health conditions supported by spirulina
Athletic and Exercise AidsChemical Poisoning
Chemotherapy (reducing side effects)
Cholera
Cholesterol (high)
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder
Cirrhosis of the Liver
Cold Sores
Colds (antiviral)
Colds (general)
Colitis
Contagious Diseases
Convalescence
Debility
Depression
Diabetes
Diabetic Retinopathy
Endurance (lack of)
Energy (lack of)
Environmental Pollution
Exercise
Failure to Thrive
Fatigue
Free Radical Damage
Hair (loss or thinning)
Hair Care (general)
Heavy Metal Poisoning
Hepatitis
Inflammation
Inflammatory Bowel Disorders
Lead Poisoning
Liver Detoxification
Measles
Memory and Brain Function
Mercury Poisoning
Metabolic Syndrome
Multiple Sclerosis
Oral Surgery
Radiation Sickness
Anemia
Arthritis
Asthma
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Cancer (prevention)
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Fatty Liver Disease
Heart (weakness)
Hypertension
Influenza
Infection
Infection (viral)
Parkinson's Disease
Psoriasis
Triglycerides (high)
Tuberculosis
Ulcers
Wounds and Sores
Products containing spirulina
Nature's Sunshine Cellular Detox (Formerly All Cell Detox)
Nature's Sunshine CA (ATC)
Nature's Sunshine Gaba Plus
Nature's Sunshine Power Greens Pouch
Nature's Sunshine Power Greens To-Go
Nature's Sunshine Power Meal Chocolate
Nature's Sunshine Power Meal Vanilla
Nature's Sunshine Spirulina
Nature's Sunshine Super Algae
Nature's Sunshine Target TS-II Formula
Nature's Sunshine Thyroid Activator®
Nature's Sunshine Tiao He Cleanse
Nature's Sunshine TS-II (With Hops)
Nature's Sunshine Ultimate GreenZone
Nature's Sunshine Ultimate Greenzone
