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				08-25-2008, 12:43 PM
			
			
			
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					Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Propecia, CA 
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 Spirulina May Benefit the Elderly 
 
			
			Eight grams a day is larger dosage than what most people take. It's possible that a lower dosage may still be effective. 
	https://www.docguide.com/news/content..._uids=18714150Quote: 
	
		| Aims: This study was conducted to determine the antioxidant capacity, immunomodulatory and lipid-lowering effects of spirulina in healthy elderly subjects and to document the effectiveness of spirulina as a functional food for the elderly. 
 Methods: A randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled study was performed. The subjects were 78 individuals aged 60-87 years and were randomly assigned in a blinded fashion to receive either spirulina or placebo.
 
 The elderly were instructed to consume the spirulina or placebo at home, 8 g/day, for 16 consecutive weeks.
 
 Results: In male subjects, a significant plasma cholesterol-lowering effect was observed after the spirulina intervention (p < 0.05). Spirulina supplementation resulted in a significant rise in plasma interleukin (IL)-2 concentration, and a significant reduction in IL-6 concentration.
 
 A significant time-by-treatment intervention for total antioxidant status was observed between spirulina and placebo groups (p < 0.05).
 
 In female subjects, significant increases in IL-2 level and superoxide dismutase activity were observed (p < 0.05) after spirulina supplementation. There were significant reductions in total cholesterol in female subjects.
 
 Conclusions: The results demonstrate that spirulina has favorable effects on lipid profiles, immune variables, and antioxidant capacity in healthy, elderly male and female subjects and is suitable as a functional food.
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