Spirulina Substantially Decreased Proliferation of Pancreatic Cancer - Independent Research

PANCREATIC CANCER

Pancreatic cancer - sometimes called the silent killer -  is among the most deadly forms of cancer globally, with one of the lowest survival rates.

In Australia, as of 2022, the five-year survival rate for pancreatic cancer stands at 12.2%, and only 35.5% of those diagnosed with it will survive for one year after being diagnosed.

Pancreatic cancer is the fifth-most-common cause of death from cancer in the United Kingdom, and the third most-common in the United States. 

SPIRULINA

Spirulina is consumed as a dietary supplement largely because of its cholesterol-lowering ability. It has recently been found to trigger cell death in a variety of tumor cells.

It is also rich in tetrapyrrolic compounds closely related to bilirubin molecule, a potent antioxidant and anti-proliferative agent.

The aim of our study was to evaluate possible anticancer effects of spirulina and spirulina-derived tetrapyrroles using an experimental model of pancreatic cancer.

PANCREATIC CANCER GROWTH INHIBITED AFTER 3 DAYS 

The anti-proliferative effects of spirulina were shown in vivo, where inhibition of pancreatic cancer growth was evidenced from the third day of treatment. 

These effects were at least partially due to their potent antioxidant activity, inhibition of mitochondrial production of reactive oxygen species and subsequent changes in intracellular redox status.

This data supports a chemopreventive role of this edible alga with promising potential for its broad use in the chemo-adjuvant treatment of cancer diseases.

This assumption of more generalized use of spirulina in cancer chemoprevention is supported also by recent data demonstrating anti-cancer potential of this algae on liver as well as breast carcinogenesis.

CONCLUSION

Spirulina substantially decreased proliferation of pancreatic cancer.

Comment from SpiruLiving Institute

1. This study confirms that spirulina has enormous anti-cancer potential. 

2. Most of the spirulina phytonutrients that exhibit powerful anti-cancer properties are damaged by powder drying and storage.

3. Fresh and fresh-frozen spirulina, recently becoming available in many countries, can contain 10x higher levels of powerful anti-cancer phytonutients that found in dried spirulina. These include  phycocyanin, beta-carotene, chlorophyll, zeaxanthin, ascorbic acid, in addition to 22 different phenols and 11 different flavonoids. 

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Curated by Spiruliving Institute

Spiruliving Institute is a non-profit dedicated to building awareness of the benefits of fresh and fresh-frozen (never dried) spirulina for cancer prevention, as an alternative and/or complementary treatment, and as a functional treatment for cancer survivors to boost health and prevent cancer recurrence. We curate independent research and make it available to the public.