Spirulina has emerged as a cardioprotective nutraceutical with clinically validated benefits in managing dyslipidemia and improving overall cardiovascular health, making it highly relevant for cardiology practice in India. Its bioactive constituents—including phycocyanin, gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), essential amino acids, and antioxidants like β-carotene and tocopherols—contribute to significant reductions in serum total cholesterol, LDL-C, triglycerides, and enhancement of HDL-C levels, as demonstrated in both animal and human trials (Iwata et al., 1990; Parikh et al., 2001). Spirulina acts by inhibiting intestinal lipid absorption, modulating lipogenic gene expression, and improving hepatic lipid metabolism, which are key mechanisms in controlling atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease.
Its potent anti-inflammatory and endothelial-stabilizing properties also reduce vascular stiffness and oxidative damage to the endothelium—central to the pathogenesis of hypertension and ischemic heart conditions (Mao et al., 2005). In Indian populations characterized by high dietary fat intake and metabolic syndrome, Spirulina offers an affordable, natural adjunct to statin therapy with minimal side effects and added antioxidant benefits. Moreover, its ability to modulate nitric oxide pathways supports vascular tone regulation, contributing to better blood pressure control. As a cardiometabolic regulator with multi-system benefits, Spirulina is an ideal candidate for preventive cardiology, post-MI recovery, and lipid management.