THE EFFECTS OF ORAL ADMINISTRATION OF SPIRULINA PLATENSIS (CULTURED IRANIAN) ON BLOOD GLUCOSE AND GLYCOSYLATED HEMOGLOBIN BLOOD IN TYPE II DIABETES MELLITUS PATIENTS

In recent years, dietary supplements play an important role in maintaining a healthy diet in most chronic diseases such as diabetes. Spirulina platensis as a food supplement has been raised and regulator effects on cholesterol and antioxidant and immune regulating effects of this supplement are also considered. It contains vitamin B, beta-carotene, vitamin E, high value proteins, minerals, gamma linolenic acid and antioxidants.
In this study 50 patients with type II diabetes were randomly selected and after taking patient's history they were divided into two equal groups including control. 8 grams of spirulina that was prepared in tablet (each 1 gram) form was administered daily to patient group for three months. Fasting blood sugar levels monthly and hemoglobin A1C levels at the beginning and end of the projects were measured in both groups and their results were compared with each other.
Fasting plasma glucose in patient group after 3 months of treatment with spirulina powder gave a significant reduction from the 158.1± 44.2 mg/dl at the beginning of study to 127.8 ± 36.7 mg/dl but was not significant in the control group. Glycosylated hemoglobin in the both groups decreased but this decrease was not statistically significant.
Spirulina platensis as a supplement can be administered in type II diabetic patients that used oral anti-diabetic drugs. It is effective in reducing fasting blood glucose in the short term but its effect on hemoglobin A1C need to prescribe longer.