This article was previously published on April 20, 2019, and has been updated with new information.
Antioxidants play an important role in promoting health by protecting your body from free radicals, which are molecules that interfere with the function of your organs, damaging them.1 In this regard, many people do their best to increase their intake of well-known antioxidants such as vitamin C and E, as well as flavonoids from plants. But sometimes, that simply isn’t enough.2
What if there was one antioxidant that trumps everything else? The answer you’re looking for isn’t found in vegetables or fruits, but from the depths of the ocean: astaxanthin.
Astaxanthin, known as the “king of carotenoids,” is a natural substance found in a certain type of microalgae, as well as some seafood. In addition, its red color is responsible for turning salmon meat, crabAnd the crab The pink shrimp.3 Search for this Antioxidants Promising, as it has shown that astaxanthin possesses a variety of health benefits.
The best astaxanthin comes from microalgae
You may have seen some astaxanthin supplements sold at your local health store. Be careful reading product labels as some are made with synthetic ingredients. Of course, you want to avoid these products because they are made using petrochemicals that are obtained from petroleum and natural gas.
If you want real astaxanthin, it has to be straight from the source, which is the microalgae Haematococcus pluvialis. This type of algae produces antioxidants once its water supply dries up, and goes into survival mode to protect itself from sunlight, UV rays, and lack of nutrition. Astaxanthin is the result of this process. In addition, there are many foods that contain large amounts of astaxanthin, especially seafood that consumes microalgae, such as:4
- Salmon from Alaska caught
- trout
- krill (or krill oil)
- Shrimp
- crayfish
Astaxanthin is also available in different dosages. If you choose to go the supplement route, I highly recommend getting algae made from Haematococcus pluvialis microalgae, not those made from petrochemicals. This ensures that you get the legitimate benefits that antioxidants are known for, as well as protecting your health.
Studies on the benefits of astaxanthin
Astaxanthin is quite possibly one of the most valuable antioxidants that you can ever benefit from. Research on this substance is constantly increasing, and the results are very promising, such as:5
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Enhanced Antioxidant Profile – One notable feature of Astaxanthin is that it is 550 times stronger than Vitamin E and 6000 times stronger than Vitamin C. In addition, it is 10 times more effective than zeaxanthin, lutein, canthaxanthin and beta-carotene.6 Research has shown that these antioxidants may benefit your health in important ways. In one example, astaxanthin demonstrated gastrointestinal protective properties in mice with stomach ulcers.7 |
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Hearing protection – Astaxanthin may benefit your hearing by raising levels of neurotrophin-3 (NT3), a protein that plays a role in communication between your ears and your brain. A study was able to support this hypothesis when researchers discovered that astaxanthin helped reverse hearing loss in mice.8 |
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Diabetes Management – Researchers suggest that astaxanthin may benefit diabetics by reducing oxidative stress in pancreatic cells caused by high blood sugar levels, as well as improving blood glucose and insulin levels.9 |
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Reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease – Taking astaxanthin regularly might reduce the risk of inflammation in the cardiovascular system. In one study, participants who took 12 milligrams of astaxanthin per day were able to reduce the presence of C-reactive protein in their bodies, which is an indicator of inflammation. In another study, Sprague-Dawley rats with cardiomyopathy had a reduced infarct volume once astaxanthin was administered.10 |
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Anti-cancer properties – Astaxanthin has been shown to have the ability to fight cancer. Experts believe that antioxidants work by reducing mutagenicity and carcinogenesis by inhibiting oxidative damage to cells. Furthermore, it restores communication between cells to help reduce tumor spread. In one example, astaxanthin showed growth-inhibiting effects in human colon cancer cells.11 |
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Boosting the immune system Your immune system is constantly being attacked by free radicals, and astaxanthin can help turn the situation around. Reports strongly indicate that astaxanthin exhibited higher immunomodulatory effects compared to beta-carotene, as well as enhanced antibody production and decreased humoral immune response.12And the13 |
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Better eye health Some studies suggest that astaxanthin may help protect your eye from various conditions, such as:
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| Neuroprotective effects – Several studies suggest that astaxanthin may be a powerful tool in maintaining brain health, thanks to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. In one example, 10 elderly participants who took 12 milligrams of astaxanthin daily for 12 weeks showed improvement in cognitive and motor function.14 |
Side effects of astaxanthin are practically non-existent
One of the most interesting things about astaxanthin is that it is completely safe to consume, even at doses of up to 500 milligrams per day. The only documented side effect is slight redness of the skin, which can only occur if you increase your dose. In any case, I still recommend you visit your doctor to help calm any concerns you may have before taking the supplement.
Supplements are helpful, but natural sources may be better
Based on published data, it is clear that astaxanthin has powerful potential to help improve your health in a convenient way when taken as a supplement. However, it may be more beneficial to consume astaxanthin using a natural approach through the foods in which it is commonly found.
For example, wild Alaskan salmon is one of the most nutritious foods you can add to your diet. Apart from astaxanthin, it is rich in omega-3 fatty acids that can provide a wealth of benefits for your general well-being, such as reducing the risk of coronary heart disease and arrhythmia. Almost anyone can benefit from omega-3 fatty acids, as they are an essential nutrient that must be obtained through your diet. Taking a natural approach is basically killing two birds with one stone.
Frequently Asked Questions About Astaxanthin
s: Should I take astaxanthin?
a: There is a lot of research supporting the potential health benefits of astaxanthin for your health. In other words, chances are high that taking astaxanthin will help improve your health.
s: What is astaxanthin used for?
a: Astaxanthin is generally taken to help improve the antioxidant profile in your system as well as help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, among other things.15th
s: What does astaxanthin do to the body?
a: Research has shown that astaxanthin may help manage diabetes, reduce the risk of heart disease and cancer, and boost the immune system and antioxidant profile.16
s: Is astaxanthin safe to take?
a: Yes, but this only applies to natural astaxanthin that comes from microalgae. Synthetic astaxanthin should be avoided.
s: How do I take astaxanthin correctly?
a: Astaxanthin supplements should be taken along with foods rich in healthy fats to help improve absorption. These antioxidants can also be obtained naturally through seafood, such as wild Alaskan salmon.
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