{
  "slug": "spirulina",
  "name": "Spirulina",
  "alternate_names": [
    "Arthrospira platensis",
    "Arthrospira maxima",
    "C-phycocyanin (key active)"
  ],
  "mechanism": [
    "C-phycocyanin scavenges reactive oxygen species and inhibits NADPH oxidase, attenuating oxidative stress in human supplementation studies",
    "Down-regulates NF-kB signaling and COX-2, associated with reduced circulating CRP in pooled analyses",
    "Modulates lipid metabolism (proposed up-regulation of LDL-receptor and reduced intestinal cholesterol absorption), correlating with observed reductions in total and LDL cholesterol",
    "Increases endogenous antioxidant enzyme activity (e.g. SOD) and lowers MDA in randomized trials",
    "Immunomodulatory effects on innate immune cells reported in small early-phase studies (preliminary)"
  ],
  "target": [
    "NADPH oxidase",
    "NF-kB",
    "COX-2",
    "Superoxide dismutase (SOD)",
    "LDL receptor",
    "C-reactive protein (CRP, biomarker)"
  ],
  "use_case": [
    "Studied for support of healthy blood-lipid profiles (total cholesterol, LDL-C, triglycerides)",
    "Studied for antioxidant and anti-inflammatory biomarker modulation (MDA, SOD, CRP)",
    "Investigated for blood-pressure modulation (modest systolic effect in meta-analysis)",
    "Investigated for glycemic markers in type 2 diabetes (preliminary RCT)",
    "Investigated for exercise endurance and post-exercise recovery",
    "Nutrient-dense plant protein source (compositional fact)"
  ],
  "body_system": [
    "CARDIO",
    "IMMUNE",
    "ENDO",
    "MUSCULO",
    "BLOOD"
  ],
  "evidence_tier": "S",
  "evidence_anchor_pmid_count": 295,
  "evidence_breakdown": {
    "meta_sr": 38,
    "human_rct": 63,
    "total_indexed": 295
  },
  "dosage_range": "1-8 g/day in most RCTs (consensus 2-4 g/day covers the majority of studied benefits); up to 8-10 g/day used in protein-supplementation contexts; typically divided into 2-3 doses with meals; intervention windows 4-12 weeks",
  "safety_notes": "Well tolerated at 2-10 g/day with decades of large-scale use. Common: mild GI upset/nausea at high initial doses; harmless pigment-related discoloration of urine/stool. KEY RISK: microcystin contamination from non-controlled or wild-harvested sources - require GMP closed-culture product with a certificate of analysis (BR limit <=1 ug/g). Contains pseudovitamin-B12 (low human bioavailability) - must NOT be claimed as a vitamin B12 source. Caution: PKU patients (high phenylalanine); autoimmune-disease patients (immune-stimulating effect); theoretical interaction with immunosuppressants and (via vitamin K) anticoagulants.",
  "regulatory": {
    "fda": "GRAS (GRN 127, no-objection letter); legal dietary supplement ingredient under DSHEA; structure/function claims only, no authorized health claims",
    "efsa": "Long history of consumption, not classified as Novel Food; legal as food and food supplement; NO authorized health claims",
    "anvisa": "Listed dietary-supplement ingredient (RDC 243/2018 + IN 28/2018) for A. platensis / A. maxima; daily limit <=5.7 g/serving; microcystin limit <=1 ug/g"
  },
  "regulatory_markets": [
    {
      "market": "US",
      "status": "GRAS",
      "tier": "permitted"
    },
    {
      "market": "EU",
      "status": "Authorized claim",
      "tier": "authorized"
    },
    {
      "market": "CN",
      "status": "Supplement (CBEC)",
      "tier": "permitted"
    },
    {
      "market": "BR",
      "status": "ANVISA supplement",
      "tier": "permitted"
    }
  ],
  "ingredient_hub_url": "https://asxan.ai/ingredients/spirulina/",
  "related_goal_slugs": [],
  "related_lifestyle_slugs": [],
  "last_evidence_review": "2026-06-27",
  "schema_version": "nc-public-v0.2",
  "api_version": "nc-public-v0.3",
  "_meta": {
    "last_evidence_review": "2026-06-27",
    "ip_axes_disclosed": {
      "public_axes": [
        "mechanism",
        "target",
        "use_case",
        "body_system",
        "evidence_tier",
        "dosage_range",
        "safety_notes",
        "regulatory",
        "authorized_claims"
      ],
      "ip_axes_not_exposed": [
        "proprietary_formula_ratios",
        "clinical_protocol_internals",
        "proprietary_research_compounds",
        "supplier_specific_grade_specifications",
        "unpublished_endpoint_data"
      ],
      "rationale": "asxan.ai surfaces the educational, evidence-tier-disclosed slice. Formula composition and clinical-protocol internals are intentionally outside this public surface."
    }
  }
}