Spirulina Good for Diabetes, Cholesterol

MEXICO CITY, MexicoSpirulina maxima may be considered an alternative treatment for patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver diseases and dyslipidemic disorder, according to Mexican Researchers (J Med Case Reports. 2010;4:103). Non-alcoholic fatty liver diseases range from simple steatosis to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis. Spirulina maxima has been experimentally proven to possess in vivo and in vitro hepato-protective properties by maintaining the liver lipid profile. Three Hispanic Mexican patients (a 43-year-old man, a 77-year-old man and a 44-year-old woman) underwent ultrasonography and were treated with 4.5 g/d of Spirulina maxima for three months. Their blood samples before and after the treatment determined triglycerides, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, alanine aminotransferase and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels. Spirulina treatment had therapeutic effects as evidenced by ultrasonography and the aminotransferase data. Hypolipidemic effects were also shown.