Spirulina: Nutritional supplement potential for adults and athletes – a literature review

Abstract

Spirulina, a cyanobacterium, is a functional food characterized by its high protein content, essential amino acids, and rich micronutrient profile. Possessing antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, anticancer, and antiviral properties, Spirulina has significant potential in managing health issues such as malnutrition, obesity, diabetes, heavy metal toxicity, and anemia. Furthermore, its low-calorie content and high nutrient density position it as a vital component of a healthy diet. Spirulina plays a crucial role in mitigating oxidative stress due to its capacity to neutralize free radicals and enhance the activity of enzymes like superoxide dismutase. With its highly bioavailable protein content, Spirulina serves as an alternative protein source for athletes, aiding in post-exercise recovery processes. The literature reports findings suggesting that the use of Spirulina at doses of 2–6 g/day reduces muscle damage and inflammation, improves immune responses, and enhances sports performance. However, the efficacy of Spirulina in this context remains debated, as some studies yield conflicting results, highlighting the need for further research. In conclusion, uncovering the full spectrum of Spirulina's benefits for health and sports performance necessitates comprehensive, long-term studies across diverse populations. As a versatile food source, Spirulina offers extensive application potential, which can be further realized through sustainable production approaches.

Keywords

• Spirulina
• Health
• Sports Performance
• Antioxidant

Spirulina: Yetişkinler ve sporcular için besin desteği potansiyeli – literatür taraması

Öz

Siyanobakteriler grubunda yer alan Spirulina, yüksek protein içeriği, esansiyel amino asitler ve zengin mikro besin profili ile öne çıkan fonksiyonel bir besindir. Antioksidan, anti-inflamatuar, bağışıklık düzenleyici, antikanserojen ve antiviral özelliklere sahip olan Spirulina, malnütrisyon, obezite, diyabet, ağır metal toksisitesi ve anemi gibi sağlık sorunlarının yönetiminde önemli bir potansiyele sahiptir. Aynı zamanda, düşük kalorili ve yüksek besin yoğunluğuna sahip olması nedeniyle sağlıklı bir diyetin önemli bir bileşeni olarak değerlendirilir. Spirulina, serbest radikalleri etkisiz hale getirme kapasitesi ve süperoksit dismutaz gibi enzimlerin aktivitesini artırma özelliği ile oksidatif stresin azaltılmasında etkili rol oynar. Yüksek biyoyararlanıma sahip protein içeriği ile sporcular için alternatif bir protein kaynağıdır ve egzersiz sonrası toparlanma süreçlerini destekler. Literatürde, 2-6 g/gün Spirulina kullanımının kas hasarını ve inflamasyonu azalttığı, bağışıklık yanıtlarını iyileştirdiği ve spor performansını artırdığına dair bulgular rapor edilmiştir. Ancak, performans üzerindeki etkinliği üzerine yapılan çalışmalar çelişkili sonuçlar içermekte ve daha fazla araştırma yapılmasını gerektirmektedir. Sonuç olarak, Spirulina’nın sağlık ve spor alanındaki faydalarını tam anlamıyla ortaya koyabilmek için farklı popülasyonlarda daha kapsamlı ve uzun dönemli çalışmalar gereklidir. Bu kapsamda Spirulina, geniş bir uygulama potansiyeline sahip olan ve sürdürülebilir üretim yaklaşımları ile desteklenmesi gereken önemli bir besin kaynağıdır.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Spirulina
• Sağlık
• Spor Performansı
• Antioksidan

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