{"id":42888,"date":"2025-08-04T09:12:09","date_gmt":"2025-08-04T09:12:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/42888\/"},"modified":"2025-08-04T09:12:09","modified_gmt":"2025-08-04T09:12:09","slug":"simple-14p-supplement-can-help-protect-against-stroke-or-heart-attack-triggering-condition","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/42888\/","title":{"rendered":"Simple 14p supplement can help protect against stroke or heart attack triggering condition"},"content":{"rendered":"

A new study has revealed a simple 14p algae supplement can treat people’s high blood pressure, lowering their risk of a stroke or heart attack.<\/p>\n

The researchers <\/a>found edible algae like spirulina\u2014which is available at Boots and Holland and Barrett in supplement and powder forms\u2014lower blood pressure.<\/p>\n

The dietary supplement spirulina is a blue-green algae known for its nutritional value\u2014as it is high in protein, iron, B vitamins and antioxidants like phycocyanin.<\/p>\n

This blue pigment comes from the presence of phycocyanin, a natural protein which supports immune, cardiovascular, liver, and brain health.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, the green comes from chlorophyll, which also has\u00a0antioxidant, detoxifying, anti\u2011inflammatory, and gut\u2011supporting effects.<\/p>\n

The findings of the study, which reviewed 29 trials with 1538 participants, were recently published in the Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

The majority of trials tended focused on edible algae as supplements, but others also looked at tablets, pills, drinks and powder.<\/p>\n

Their analysis found consuming 3 grams a day of whole edible algae, especially Spirulina, for at least 12 weeks lowers blood pressure.<\/p>\n

\"The <\/p>\n

The simple edible algae, which is available as supplements, was found to lower blood pressure<\/p>\n

‘This suggests that edible microalgae may serve as a natural approach to managing hypertension, complementing pharmacological treatments,’ said the authors.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The silent killer, high blood pressure, also called hypertension, can lead to life threatening complications like strokes or heart attacks.<\/p>\n

This is because it damages blood vessels, narrowing and stiffening them\u2014which can result in ruptures and blockages, triggering the life-threatening events.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Symptoms of high blood pressure include headaches, blurred vision, nose bleeds and chest pain.\u00a0<\/p>\n

However, the British Heart Foundation has warned that most people don’t realise they have high blood pressure, because the symptoms aren’t obvious.<\/p>\n

So, that’s why they urge people to regularly get their blood pressure checked\u2014which is offered for free at GPs, some workplaces and many pharmacies.<\/p>\n

Classic ways to lower blood pressure include having a healthy according to the National Health Service (NHS) are, a healthy, balanced diet and regular exercise.<\/p>\n

But others include reducing salt, quitting smoking, reducing alcohol intake, and drinking less coffee.<\/p>\n

\"The <\/p>\n

The Pret A Manger drink vibrant blue spirulina-laced iced latte recently released this summer<\/p>\n

It comes as Pret A Manger recently released their vibrant blue spirulina-laced iced latte this summer.\u00a0<\/p>\n

However, the coffee shop chain hasn’t publicly disclosed how many grams of spirulina are in the drink.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The latest study also looked at other microalgae, but spirulina was the most effective, reducing SBP by 5.28mmHg and DBP by 3.56mmHG.\u00a0<\/p>\n

And you buy Cytoplan Organic Spirulina that offers 120 capsules for \u00a316.80\u2014it costs 14p per capsule.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Systolic blood pressure (SBP) is the pressure in arteries when the heart contracts and diastolic blood pressure (DPB) is the pressure when it rests between beats.<\/p>\n

The researchers also compared microalgae like Spirulina with macroalgae like seaweeds like kelp.<\/p>\n

They found microalgae drove the most benefits with macroalgae having now significant effect.<\/p>\n

The scientists also found whole algae\u2014the actual algae dried and eaten like spirulina powder\u2014is more effective in lowering blood pressure.<\/p>\n

This was compared to extracts or bioactive compounds pulled out of the algae such as\u00a0phycocyanin, the blue pigment.<\/p>\n

Their findings could suggest that your trendy Pret A Manger drink isn’t as effective at lowering blood pressure as the spirulina whole algae supplements.\u00a0<\/p>\n

While a 2022 study suggested a safe dose for adults is between three and 10 grams daily, people should not exceed the dose on the product label.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Spirulina shouldn’t be taken by those on blood thinners or have an autoimmune condition, bleeding disorder, allergies, or phenylketonuria (PKU)\u2014a rare genetic disorder.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, there is limited data on spirulina and pregnancy, so it is difficult to say whether it is safe or unsafe while someone is expecting a baby.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"A new study has revealed a simple 14p algae supplement can treat people’s high blood pressure, lowering their…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":42889,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[10],"tags":[97,59,102,104,24631,56,54,55],"class_list":{"0":"post-42888","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-health","8":"tag-dailymail","9":"tag-gb","10":"tag-health","11":"tag-nhs","12":"tag-pret-a-manger","13":"tag-uk","14":"tag-united-kingdom","15":"tag-unitedkingdom"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/42888","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=42888"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/42888\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/42889"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=42888"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=42888"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=42888"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}