Could spirulina and seaweed lower your heart disease risk?
NCT ID NCT07173062
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 26, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study tests whether taking spirulina (a microalgae) or seaweed (Gelidium corneum) supplements for 20 weeks can improve markers of heart health and change gut bacteria in people at high risk for heart disease. The trial includes 150 adults aged 50 or older with conditions like diabetes, heart disease, or chronic kidney disease. Participants are randomly assigned to receive spirulina, seaweed, or a placebo, and researchers measure changes in blood chemicals and gut microbes.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Spirulina (microalgae) and Gelidium corneum (macroalgae/seaweed) dietary supplements
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could point toward a simple, natural way to improve heart health and gut bacteria in people with conditions like diabetes or heart disease.
- What could go wrong
- This is an early-stage trial with only 150 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. Supplements can have mild side effects, and the benefits may be small or not last long.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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About 150 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Mar 2025
- Expected to finish
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Aug 2026
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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50 years and older
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * ≥50 years * BMI ≥20 kg/m2 * History of stroke, coronary artery disease, myocardial infarction, peripheral artery disease, chronic kidney disease (eGFR \<75 ml/min at least for 3 months), albuminuria \>300 mg/g, or diabetes mellitus * No antibiotics in the previous 30 days * If a woman, she must be a woman of non-childbearing potential. That is, she must be: * Surgically sterilized (e.g. underwent hysterectomy, bilateral salpingectomy or bilateral oophorectomy); * Clinically diagnosed infertile; * In a post-menopausal state, defined as no menses for 12 months without an alternative medical cause. * A woman patient of childbearing potential must have a negative serum pregnancy test at Visit 0 (Day 0) and must agree to use consistently and correctly (from 28 days prior to first study treatment administration until at least 7 days after last study treatment administration) one of the following highly effective methods of contraception: * Abstinence of heterosexual intercourse (when this is in line with preferred and usual lifestyle of the subject); * Progestogen-only hormonal contraception associated with inhibition of ovulation (oral, injectable, implantable); * Combined (oestrogen and progestogen containing) hormonal contraception associated with inhibition of ovulation (oral, intravaginal, transdermal); * Intrauterine device; * Intrauterine hormone-releasing system; * Bilateral tubal occlusion; * Vasectomized partner, who has received medical assessment of the surgical success, or clinically diagnosed infertile partner. Exclusion Criteria: * Unwilling to sign the informed consent form (if the patient wants to participate but cannot sign for any reason, then a third-person testimony may sign/complete the informed consent form on the patient's behalf). * Involvement in the planning and/or conduct of the study (applies to both Investigator staff and/or staff at the study site). * Participation in another clinical study with an investigational product during the last month. * In participants recruited at Unidade Local de Saúde de São João, the exclusion criteria applied is estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR) \<30 ml/min/1.73m2 estimated with the CKD-EPI (2021) formula or dialysis. For participants recruited at community, this exclusion criteria is adapted for diagnosis of end-stage renal disease or dialysis (no need to quantify the eGFR).
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Genom att skicka in godkänner du våra Användarvillkor
Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The study's own enquiry address
This study publishes an address for enquiries. See it below .
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The places running it
1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Show contact details
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Genom att skicka in godkänner du våra Användarvillkor
Study contacts
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Contact
Email: •••••@•••••
Locations
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Unidade Local de Saúde de São João
RECRUITINGPorto, 4200-319, Portugal
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