Written by Alexa Heathorn, MS, CNS-c, Science Writer. Daily supplementation of 1 gram of spirulina for 12 weeks significantly reduced inflammatory markers and improved several physical quality-of-life outcomes in adults with relapsing-remitting MS.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune condition that leads to progressive physical, cognitive, and emotional challenges. It affects an estimated 2.8 million people worldwide, with the relapsing-remitting form (RRMS) accounting for about 85% of initial diagnoses¹. The underlying process of MS is fueled by ongoing inflammation and increased oxidative stress in the body. These changes cause the immune system to mistakenly attack the brain and spinal cord, damaging the protective coating around nerves. Over time, this leads to slower nerve signaling and symptoms such as fatigue, trouble concentrating, mobility limitations, sexual dysfunction, and emotional changes¹. Although disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) can help reduce relapse rates, they have limited impact on oxidative stress and long-term neurodegeneration. This has led to growing interest in complementary approaches that support the body’s natural repair and protection pathways — including nutrient-based interventions such as spirulina.

Spirulina is a nutrient-dense blue-green microalgae rich in compounds that have anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects¹. It contains phycocyanin, polyphenols, vitamins, and essential fatty acids—nutrients shown to help lower inflammation, reduce oxidative stress, support energy production, and improve cognitive function¹. Early research in other populations suggests spirulina may help reduce fatigue, improve antioxidant capacity, and support overall physical well-being. However, it has remained unclear whether these benefits extend specifically to people living with multiple sclerosis. To address this gap, researchers conducted a 12-week, triple-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial to evaluate the effects of spirulina supplementation in individuals with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS).

The trial involved 80 Iranian adults with relapsing-remitting MS who were randomly assigned to receive either 1 gram of spirulina per day or a matching placebo for 12 weeks¹. Researchers measured inflammatory markers (IL-1β and IL-6) through blood tests, assessed physical and mental quality of life using the MSQoL-54 questionnaire, and tracked changes in weight and other anthropometric measures. All assessments were completed at baseline and again at week 12.

The results after 12 weeks of supplementation were as follows:

• Inflammation:
  • Interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were significantly reduced in the spirulina group compared to placebo (both p < 0.001), demonstrating a clear anti-inflammatory effect over the 12-week period.
• Physical Quality of Life:
  • Participants receiving spirulina showed significant improvements in multiple physical domains of the MSQoL-54, including physical function, health perception, role limitations due to physical problems, and energy levels (all p ≤ 0.030), indicating better day-to-day physical functioning.
• Sexual Health:
  • Spirulina supplementation led to a significant improvement in sexual function scores compared to placebo (p < 0.001).
• Anthropometric Measures:
  • The spirulina group experienced greater weight reduction (−2.85 ± 1.13 kg) compared to placebo (p = 0.015). No significant changes were observed in BMI, waist circumference, or waist-to-hip ratio.
• Non-Significant Findings:
  • No meaningful differences were found between groups in emotional wellbeing, cognitive function, social support, sexual satisfaction, or mental health–related quality of life, suggesting spirulina’s benefits were more pronounced in physical rather than psychosocial domains.

Potential limitations of the study include:

• The study population consisted entirely of Iranian adults with relapsing-remitting MS aged 18–50, which may limit generalizability to individuals from other ethnic backgrounds, older adults, or those with progressive MS types.
• All participants were on stable MS treatments, meaning the results reflect spirulina’s effects as an adjunct, not as a standalone therapy.
• The study duration was relatively short (12 weeks), so the long-term or sustained effects of spirulina on inflammation, quality of life, or disease progression remain unknown.
• Dietary intake and physical activity were self-reported, which may introduce reporting bias and affect the accuracy of lifestyle-related measurements.
• Only one dose of spirulina (1 g/day) was tested, so results may not apply to other doses or formulations.
• Quality-of-life outcomes were assessed through questionnaires, which rely on subjective reporting and may not capture finer changes in mental or emotional health.

Daily supplementation of 1 gram of spirulina for 12 weeks significantly reduced inflammatory markers and improved several aspects of physical quality of life in adults with relapsing-remitting MS. These findings suggest that spirulina may serve as a supportive adjunct therapy for managing inflammation and enhancing physical functioning in MS. However, additional research is needed to evaluate its long-term effectiveness, test different doses and formulations, and determine whether similar benefits are seen in more diverse MS populations and across other MS subtypes.

Source: Karimi, Sheno, Vahid Shaygannejad, Adel Mohammadalipour, Awat Feizi, Sahar Hooshmand, and Marzieh Kafeshani. “Effects of spirulina (Arthrospira) platensis supplementation on inflammation, physical and mental quality of life, and anthropometric measures in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS): a triple-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled trial.” Nutrition Journal 24, no. 1 (2025): 132.

© The Author(s) 2025. Open Access

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Posted December 8, 2025.

Alexa Heathorn, MS, CNS-c, is a clinical nutritionist specializing in metabolic health, hormonal balance, and gastrointestinal restoration through root-cause functional nutrition. She earned her master’s degree in Nutrition from Bastyr University and is currently a Certified Nutrition Specialist (CNS) candidate. Alexa also works as a research writer and functional health consultant, translating complex science into actionable strategies for practitioners and wellness companies. Learn more at www.bloomedwellness.com.

Resources:

1. Karimi S, Shaygannejad V, Mohammadalipour A, Feizi A, Hooshmand S, Kafeshani M. Effects of spirulina (Arthrospira) platensis supplementation on inflammation, physical and mental quality of life, and anthropometric measures in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS): a triple-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Nutr J. 2025;24(1):132. Published 2025 Aug 28. doi:10.1186/s12937-025-01200-x