Astaxanthin

Other Names: Astaxanthine, Astaxantina, Dihydroxy-3,3’ dioxo-4,4’ bêta-carotène, Microalgae, Microalgue, Micro-Algue, Ovoester, 3,3'-dihydroxy-4,4'-diketo-beta-carotene, 3S,3'S-astaxanthin, 3R,3'R-astaxanthin, 3R,3'S-astaxanthin.
Astaxanthin is synthesized by microalgae called Haematococcus, and is also known as the "King of Carotenoids". It's grown in fresh water using sophisticated techniques that encourage the algae to grow its own powerful medicines protecting it from oxidation, UV radiation, and other environmental stressors. It is a reddish pigment that belongs to a group of chemicals called carotenoids. It occurs naturally in certain algae and causes the pink or red color in salmon, trout, lobster, shrimp, marine algae, krill oil and other seafood. Astaxanthin belongs to the family of carotenoids that can’t be synthesized by the human body. In other words, they need to be consumed through the diet or supplementation. However, carotenoids are not considered essential, as deficiencies in them do not always pose a serious health risk to humans, in contrast to deficiencies in key vitamins like iron, calcium, and vitamin C. However, for lifelong wellness and the prevention disease, astaxanthin—and other carotenoids including lycopene and lutein—play a crucial role in every stage of life.

Special Precautions of Astaxanthin

The most commonly reported astaxanthin side effects are harmless pigment changes, such as a slightly orange tint to the skin or to stool. Even at high doses, no toxic effects have been observed, either in animals or humans. Other, less common astaxanthin side effects have a greater impact, and side effects such as low blood pressure and shifts in hormone levels can have serious health implications. Astaxanthin is most commonly used as an additive to animal feed, and it adds pigment to crabs, shrimp, lobsters and salmon, giving them their familiar reddish orange color. As an animal feed supplement, astaxanthin is generally recognized as safe, according to the United States Code of Federal Regulations, and most people are able to consume astaxanthin-fed seafood without any reaction at all. In 1999, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration cleared astaxanthin as a food ingredient for human consumption.

The benefits of Astaxanthin are

Astaxanthin is an antioxidant. This effect might protect cells from damage. Astaxanthin might also improve the way the immune system functions.

• as an antioxidant to reduce cholesterol.
• Anti-inflammatory : Several double blind, placebo controlled animal and clinical trials shows that astaxanthin naturally inhibits many of the known inflammation mediators, which eases inflammation and pain without side effects.
• to treat carpal tunnel syndrome, arthritis, muscle injury, gastrointestinal complaints and male infertility. It should be noted, however, that there is insufficient evidence to support any of these claims, and there is no proven health benefit to this supplement.
• Since it is highly concentrated in muscles, many researchers think it gives athletes the endurance to swim up rivers. This has made astaxanthin famous within sports nutrition and among marathon runners, especially for athletic recovery. It seems this antioxidant works by hunting free radicals in our energy-producing mitochondrial cells. Antioxidants help to handle extreme exercise and metabolic training conditions that lead naturally to free radical production in the human body. In addition, astaxanthin's antioxidative properties support the prevention of inflammatory conditions such as tennis elbow and muscle inflammation.

• Immune System : Astaxanthin may boost the immune system, according to a small study published in Nutrition & Metabolism in 2010. For the study, 14 healthy young women took 0, 2, or 8 mg of astaxanthin daily for eight weeks. Study results showed that astaxanthin helped enhance immune response and reduce levels of a biomarker linked to DNA damage. In addition, astaxanthin helped reduce levels of C-reactive protein (a marker of inflammation).
• Skin : astaxanthin has also piqued the interest of researchers due to its ability to reduce signs of aging by helping protect your skin from sun damage and preventing wrinkles, liver spots, or other skin conditions. Astaxanthin can act as a free radical scavenger in the body, protecting cells against damage and thereby helping to slow down the aging process. Numerous studies have shown excellent results in how astaxanthin can help with the skin's moisture levels, smoothness, elasticity, fine wrinkles, and even spots or freckles.
• eye-health : astaxanthin has been found to cross the blood-brain barrier and the blood-retinal barrier, meaning that it has the power to protect your brain and your eyes from free radical damage. It lowers your risk for AMD and improves your eyesight.