In this randomized controlled trial, 46 male students (average age of 21) were randomized into three groups who received the following: (i) placebo, (ii) 25 mg/day of TC, or (iii) 200 mg/day of TC. The participants took the supplement (or placebo) every morning during the 60-day study period.

Anthropometric measurements (i.e., height, weight, circumference measures, body fat percentage) and blood samples were collected at four time points: (i) the day before beginning supplementation (baseline), (ii) 30 days after starting supplementation (month 1), (iii) 60 days after starting supplementation (month 2), and (iv) at the final evaluation after 30 days without taking the supplement.

Nutritional records were collected during the first and last weeks of the study to ensure that the participants didn’t significantly deviate from their normal diets throughout the study.

Hormonal levels were assessed from the blood samples and included erythropoietin (EPO), cortisol, testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1), and growth hormone (GH).

Effects of Tetraselmis chuii microalgae supplementation on body composition and hormonal parameters in healthy young men Original paper