Spirulina for Cholesterol
Verdict: Published with Warning
Across 4 PubMed studies, the evidence for Spirulina in Cholesterol grades Tier C — weak evidence. Effective, but with safety or population caveats.
C 🟠 C Weak Evidence Published with Warning
Why this grade7-layer evidence engine
⚖️
Scoring transparency
All scores computed by a 7-layer evidence engine — fully auditableRaw score 0.59
D
C
B
A
S
← counter-evidence / ineffectiveeffective / strong evidence →
Final grade
C · Published with Warning
Confidence
79%
Broadly consistent
Evidence level
E2
Multiple high-quality MAs (≥2 independent, consistent)
▸View the full decision path (audit trail)
- compute_raw_score — 加權公式: L2×0.30 + L3×0.25 + L5×0.25 + L11×0.10 + L1×0.10 = 0.595
- tier_from_score — 依分數區間映射至 tier letter
- apply_hec_rules — 高品質 SR/MA 顯示 positive (3 篇 > 0 negative)
- tier_strict_requirement_check — Tier 條件達標，未降階
- detect_disputes — 偵測到 0 個 hard + 0 個 soft dispute
- decide_status — 依 tier + dispute 結果決定 status
PubMed studies (4)L2 · primary research & systematic reviews
The effect of Spirulina supplementation on lipid profile: GRADE-assessed systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of data from randomized controlled trials
Finding: Across 20 studies (23 arms, 1,076 participants) spirulina significantly reduced total cholesterol (SMD -0.6, 95% CI -0.9 to -0.2), LDL-C (SMD -0.6, 95% CI -0.9 to -0.2) and triglycerides (SMD -0.6, 95% CI -0.9 to -0.2), and increased HDL-C (SMD 0.3, 95% CI 0.0 to 0.6); all p<0.05. GRADE methodology applied to certainty of evidence.
View on PubMed A systematic review and meta-analysis of the impact of Spirulina supplementation on plasma lipid concentrations
Finding: Pooled analysis of 7 RCTs found large reductions in total cholesterol (WMD -46.76 mg/dL, 95% CI -67.31 to -26.22, p<0.001), LDL-C (WMD -41.32 mg/dL, 95% CI -60.62 to -22.03, p<0.001) and triglycerides (WMD -44.23 mg/dL, 95% CI -50.22 to -38.24, p<0.001), and an increase in HDL-C (WMD +6.06 mg/dL, 95% CI 2.37 to 9.76, p=0.001).
View on PubMed The effects of spirulina on glycemic control and serum lipoproteins in patients with metabolic syndrome and related disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Finding: In metabolic syndrome and related disorders, spirulina significantly reduced total cholesterol (WMD -20.50 mg/dL, 95% CI -38.25 to -2.74), LDL-C (WMD -19.02 mg/dL, 95% CI -36.27 to -1.78) and VLDL-C (WMD -6.72 mg/dL, 95% CI -9.19 to -4.26), and modestly raised HDL-C (WMD +1.42 mg/dL, 95% CI 0.16 to 2.68).
View on PubMed Spirulina's impacts on cardiovascular health: Insights from a systematic meta-analysis of RCT
Finding: Largest pooled analysis to date (35 trials, 45 effect sizes) found spirulina reduced total cholesterol (WMD -11.5 mg/dL), LDL-C (WMD -7.69 mg/dL) and triglycerides (WMD -14.75 mg/dL), and increased HDL-C (WMD +1.9 mg/dL); all p<0.001. Effect magnitudes are smaller than earlier MAs, consistent with regression toward more modest pooled estimates as evidence base grows.
View on PubMed Regulatory & authoritative positionsL4/L5 · FDA / EMA / NIH ODS / Cochrane / Mayo …
L4a US FDA
Cautious
FDA had no questions source↗
L4b EU EFSA
Neutral
L4d TW TFDA / 衛福部
Neutral
食用藻類及其製品應符合「食用藻類衛生標準」之規定。 source↗
L4e WHO
Neutral
A review on culture, production and use of spirulina as food for humans and feeds for domestic animals and fish (FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Circular No. 1034, 2008). source↗
L5a NIH Office of Dietary Supplements
Cautious
L5c Cleveland Clinic
Supportive
L5d Harvard Health
Not addressed
L5e Specialty Society (condition-mapped)
Against