The effects of spirulina (Arthrospira platensis) supplementation on anthropometric indices, blood pressure, sleep quality, mental health, fatigue status and quality of life in patients with ulcerative colitis: A randomised, double‐blinded, placebo‐controlled trial

International Journal of Clinical PracticeVolume 75, Issue 10 e14472 ORIGINAL PAPER The effects of spirulina (Arthrospira platensis) supplementation on anthropometric indices, blood pressure, sleep quality, mental health, fatigue status and quality of life in patients with ulcerative colitis: A randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial Sajjad Moradi, Sajjad Moradi orcid.org/0000-0003-0108-187X Department of Clinical Nutrition, School of Nutrition and Food Science, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, IranSearch for more papers by this authorMehdi Zobeiri, Mehdi Zobeiri Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, IranSearch for more papers by this authorAwat Feizi, Awat Feizi Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, School of Health, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, IranSearch for more papers by this authorCain C. T. Clark, Cain C. T. Clark Centre for Intelligent Healthcare, Coventry University, Coventry, UKSearch for more papers by this authorMohammad Hassan Entezari, Corresponding Author Mohammad Hassan Entezari entezari@hlth.mui.ac.ir Department of Clinical Nutrition, School of Nutrition and Food Science, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran Correspondence Mohammad Hassan Entezari, Department of Clinical Nutrition, School of Nutrition and Food Science, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran. Email: entezari@hlth.mui.ac.irSearch for more papers by this author Sajjad Moradi, Sajjad Moradi orcid.org/0000-0003-0108-187X Department of Clinical Nutrition, School of Nutrition and Food Science, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, IranSearch for more papers by this authorMehdi Zobeiri, Mehdi Zobeiri Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, IranSearch for more papers by this authorAwat Feizi, Awat Feizi Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, School of Health, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, IranSearch for more papers by this authorCain C. T. Clark, Cain C. T. Clark Centre for Intelligent Healthcare, Coventry University, Coventry, UKSearch for more papers by this authorMohammad Hassan Entezari, Corresponding Author Mohammad Hassan Entezari entezari@hlth.mui.ac.ir Department of Clinical Nutrition, School of Nutrition and Food Science, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran Correspondence Mohammad Hassan Entezari, Department of Clinical Nutrition, School of Nutrition and Food Science, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran. Email: entezari@hlth.mui.ac.irSearch for more papers by this author First published: 09 June 2021 https://doi.org/10.1111/ijcp.14472Citations: 1 Funding information: The current work is a part of PhD thesis supported by a grant from Vice-Chancellor for Research, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences (No. 398533). Read the full textAboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditWechat Abstract Background An emerging body of evidence has highlighted the protective role of spirulina in human health. Thus, we conducted a randomised controlled trial to discern the effects of spirulina supplementation on anthropometric indices, blood pressure, sleep quality, mood, fatigue status and quality of life among ulcerative colitis patients. Methods Eighty participants with ulcerative colitis were randomly allocated to receive, either, 1 g/day (two 500 mg capsules) spirulina (n = 40) or placebo (n = 40), in a clinical trial for eight weeks. Dietary intake, physical activity, sleep quality, mental health, fatigue status and quality of life were assessed for each participant at baseline and trial cessation. Anthropometric indices and blood pressure were also assessed. Results Seventy-three participants completed the intervention. Our results revealed that spirulina supplementation significantly reduced sleep disturbances (P = .03), while no significant changes occurred in the sleep quality score or other sleep parameters, vs the placebo group (P > .05). Furthermore, a significant reduction in stress score (P = .04) and increase in quality of life (P = .03) was detected; but not anxiety, depression or fatigue scores (P > .05). Additionally, anthropometric indices and blood pressure did not significantly change (P > .05). Conclusion An improved quality of life was observed among ulcerative colitis patients following spirulina supplementation, which could be attributed to improved sleep disturbance and stress status. Further clinical studies, with longer duration interventions and suitably powered sample sizes, are necessary to elucidate the veracity of our findings. Open Research DATA AVAILABILITY STATEMENT The source data file (.sav format) is available once you contact the corresponding author. Our institution policy does not permit others to find the source data. Citing Literature Volume75, Issue10October 2021e14472 RelatedInformation