Does Spirulina help with Covid 19?

Effect of Fresh Raw Living Spirulina on COVID-19: A Significant Health Benefit

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on global health, with millions of cases and deaths recorded worldwide. As researchers continue to explore various treatments and supplements to combat the virus, a recent study has highlighted the potential benefits of fresh Raw Living Spirulina in improving outcomes for hospitalized COVID-19 patients.

Introduction to Spirulina

Spirulina (Arthrospira platensis) is a cyanobacterium known for its rich nutritional profile and bioactive compounds. It has been recognized for its anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and antioxidant properties. Given these attributes, researchers have investigated its potential role in enhancing the immune response and aiding recovery in COVID-19 patients.

Study Design

A randomized controlled trial was conducted involving 189 hospitalized adults with COVID-19. The participants were randomly assigned to two groups: an experimental group that received 15.2 grams of Spirulina supplement daily along with standard treatment and a control group that received only the standard treatment. The study spanned six days, during which immune mediators were monitored on days 1, 3, 5, and 7.

Primary and Secondary Outcomes

The primary outcome measured was mortality or hospital discharge within seven days. The secondary outcome considered overall discharge or mortality rates.

Results

The results of the study were promising:

1. Mortality Rates: Within seven days, there were no deaths in the Spirulina group compared to 15 deaths (15.3%) in the control group.
2. Discharge Rates: A significantly higher number of patients in the Spirulina group (97.7%) were discharged from non-intensive care units (non-ICU) within seven days compared to the control group (39.1%). This comparison’s hazard ratio (HR) was 6.52 with a 95% confidence interval (CI) of 3.50 to 12.17.
3. Overall Mortality: The overall mortality rate was higher in the control group (8.7% non-ICU, 28.8% ICU) compared to the Spirulina group (non-ICU HR, 0.13; 95% CI, 0.02 to 0.97; ICU HR, 0.16; 95% CI, 0.05 to 0.48).
4. Immune Mediators: In non-ICU patients who received Spirulina, levels of IL-6, TNF-α, IL-10, and IP-10 significantly reduced as intervention time increased. In ICU patients receiving Spirulina, levels of MIP-1α and IL-6 decreased significantly, while IFN-γ levels were significantly higher in both ICU and non-ICU subgroups over time.
5. Safety: No side effects related to Spirulina supplementation were observed during the trial.

Conclusion

The study concluded that high-dose Spirulina supplements combined with standard COVID-19 treatment could significantly improve recovery rates and reduce mortality among hospitalized COVID-19 patients without any adverse effects.

This research underscores the potential of fresh Raw Living Spirulina as an adjunct therapy for COVID-19 due to its immunomodulatory effects and safety profile.

 

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38655258/