Sixty individuals who consumed a Spirulina platensis (SP) complement every day for 12 weeks confirmed decreased ranges of zonulin (a marker for intestinal permeability), improved IBS high quality of life and severity scores, and elevated antioxidant capability.
“Total, SP can scale back intestinal permeability by affecting tight junction proteins corresponding to zonulin, inflammatory responses and intestine microbiota,” researchers from Isfahan College of Medical Sciences in Iran wrote in Diet Journal.
They steered that spirulina exhibits promise for managing IBS however that bigger trials with a dose-dependent strategy in IBS subtypes are wanted to substantiate this.
Spirulina’s potential advantages
Spirulina, a sort of blue-green microalgae sometimes called a superfood, is understood for its excessive nutrient density and has been related to anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, immunomodulatory, antiviral and anti-cancer properties.
Earlier research recommend that spirulina has helpful results on the intestine microbiota, intestinal permeability and gastric ulcers, indicating its potential as a remedy for persistent situations corresponding to ulcerative colitis, diabetes and weight problems.
One of many key findings within the current examine—which the researchers stated is the primary to judge spirulina for IBS—is the helpful impact of spirulina supplementation on zonulin. Zonulin is a protein in intestinal cells that regulates tight junctions, opening them to permit vitamins and immune cells to cross the epithelial barrier. Elevated ranges of zonulin are related to intestinal permeability, a situation which may result in systemic irritation and IBS.
The present findings add to earlier proof that spirulina might lower tight junction proteins and suppress inflammatory responses which are key in oxidative stress.
“Moreover, SP supplementation will increase short-chain fatty acid manufacturing, and intestine microbiota range and enhances the composition of intestine microbiota, and due to this fact, decreases intestine permeability,” the researchers wrote.
Examine particulars
The examine randomly assigned 60 individuals ages 18 to 50 with IBS-C to devour both two every day doses of 500 mg spirulina or a placebo for 12 weeks.
The researchers evaluated the consequences at baseline and the tip of the intervention utilizing the IBS-QoL and IBS-Severity system rating (IBS-SSS) and measures of plasma complete antioxidant capability (TAC), malondialdehyde (MDA) and zonulin.
The outcomes confirmed that spirulina supplementation was related to a big enhance in QoL rating and TAC and a lower in IBS-SSS, MDA and zonulin ranges in comparison with placebo.
“Our examine confirmed that SP supplementation can enhance antioxidant capability and alleviate oxidant standing in sufferers with IBS-C,” the researchers wrote.
“Contemplating the notion of elevated intestinal permeability in IBS sufferers, the findings of our examine confirmed that supplementation with SP resulted in considerably lowered permeability marker i.e., zonulin.”
Noting that one earlier examine questioned utilizing zonulin to judge tissue permeability, proposing that its results may be restricted to particular areas just like the small gut. As such, they suggest further analysis to raised perceive its perform.
Supply: Diet Journal 24, 64 (2025). doi: 10.1186/s12937-025-01132-6. “Results of Spirulina (Arthrospira) platensis supplementation on intestinal permeability, antioxidant and inflammatory markers, high quality of life and illness severity in sufferers with constipated-predominant irritable bowel syndrome: a randomized double‑blind, placebo‑managed trial”. Authors: S.J. Nasab et al.
