Big effect
Spirulina supplementation was linked to a large drop in total cholesterol in a meta-analysis of 35 studies — but the effect was clearest in overweight and obese adults, and other metabolic measures like blood sugar control didn't budge.
This is one of the first systematic reviews to pull together the evidence on spirulina for cholesterol, and the effect size is unusually large by supplement standards — but because the studies weren't blinded and the benefit didn't extend to body composition or glycemic control, the finding is promising but far from settled.
In a meta-analysis of 35 clinical trials, overweight and obese adults who took spirulina saw a substantial drop in total cholesterol, along with improvements in triglycerides, LDL, HDL, and blood pressure. However, the same review found that spirulina had no significant effect on body composition or blood sugar levels, and the studies were not blinded, meaning the results could be influenced by placebo effects or other biases.
Where this fits in the evidence
This is among the first studies we've indexed on Spirulina for Reduced Blood Cholesterol — treat it as an early signal until more research accumulates.
The study
- Systematic Review
- n = 35
- 2025-06-27
- Frontiers in nutrition
This is a plain-language summary of a research finding, not medical advice. Pillser surfaces research signals to help you decide what's worth investigating — always consult a qualified professional before changing what you take.