DISCOVER ASTAXANTHIN

Antioxidants help our cells get rid of free radicals. Free radicals are produced by our metabolism and continuously oxidize proteins and lipids as well as damage cellular DNA. This can eventually lead to DNA mutations, cellular dysfunctions as well as cancer. Our body has natural cell defence mechanisms to get rid of these free radicals, but as we get older, the ability of our cells to do this declines and free radicals progressively cause more cell damage. 

Furthermore, as we are continuously exposed to high levels of environmental pollutants, our body generates even more free radicals, further weakening our natural antioxidant defences.

Astaxanthin is recognized as the most powerful antioxidant ingredient known on the market. Astaxanthin’s properties are due to its unique structure which improves absorption of free radicals. This allows Astaxanthin to stop oxidation reactions right at the cell level. 

Several scientific and clinical studies have demonstrated the role of Astaxanthin supplementation in reducing oxidative stress biomarkers as well as increasing the body’s natural free radical scavenging defence mechanisms. 

Several studies have demonstrated the role of astaxanthin supplementation in alleviating inflammatory reactions. Though normal inflammatory reactions occur when the body responds to an injury, prolonged abnormal stimulation of the body’s inflammatory response can be detrimental.

Astaxanthin decreases the body’s production of pro-inflammatory cell signals, such as certain interleukins, that are central in the activation of inflammation response. Also, astaxanthin reduces the production of several key molecules (chemo-attractants) that activate and attract white blood cells  to the site of inflammation.

Thanks to these mechanisms, astaxanthin is recognized as a strong anti-inflammatory and may be beneficial to people that are living with inflammatory conditions on a daily basis. 

Recent scientific studies indicate that astaxanthin can alleviate joint pain and reduce cartilage degradation caused by osteoarthritis. This is due to the fact that not only does cartilage degradation cause inflammation and pain, but inflammation itself increases cartilage degradation. Studies have shown improvement in cartilage integrity as well as in important biomarkers in osteoarthritis models.

Several studies also show that astaxanthin has a beneficial effect on bone building cells (osteoclasts & osteoblasts), as well as bone mineral density and microarchitecture suggesting potential benefits in osteoporosis. 

Astaxanthin stimulates a healthy immune response by activating key components of the immune system. In particular, astaxanthin stimulates lymphocyte activation and proliferation, antibody response as well as leukocyte activation. Studies show that this leads to an increase in key immune mediators, such as interleukins and interferons, that work as signals directing the immune response during infection. Studies performed in a gastric infection model have shown that astaxanthin treatment results in a decrease in bacteria counts and inflammation. 

Clinical study data is beginning to accumulate demonstrating the potential benefit of astaxanthin supplementation on cognitive function in seniors. Many medications cannot reach the brain because there is a barrier, called the blood-brain barrier, specifically designed to protect your brain, control its environment as well as prevent potential infection. An added benefit of astaxanthin is that it can cross this barrier, something that many medications cannot do. 

Double blind, placebo-controlled studies have shown improvement in psychomotor and processing speed in healthy seniors taking astaxanthin for 6-12 weeks. Other models of ischemic injury and stroke also suggested a dose-dependent beneficial effect of astaxanthin, reducing neurological deficit in this patient population. These studies suggest that the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of astaxanthin are central in helping prevent damage and restore cognitive functions in seniors.

Some groups are also beginning to study astaxanthin-based compounds for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease due to its ability to cross the blood-brain barrier and combat oxidation and inflammation, which are thought to play an important role in several cognitive disorders. 

Clinical studies in visual acuity, in models of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and in studies of diabetic retinopathy show that astaxanthin can improve eyesight and reduce the impacts of disease. The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory action of astaxanthin has positive impacts on several parts of the eyes.

In particular, studies show that astaxanthin supplementation of up to 4 weeks can improve blood circulation in the choroid (layer under the retina). Astaxanthin is also shown to prevent inflammation and oxidative damage to retinal cells and protect the cornea, all factors involved in decreased visual acuity and AMD in the elderly.

Astaxanthin has been largely evaluated clinically for skin conditions. Several studies in both women and men show that oral and topical use of astaxanthin for 6 to 12 weeks improves skin condition, in particular wrinkles, age spots, tissue elasticity, skin texture and moisture content of the various layers of the skin.

Astaxanthin has also been shown to protect against the detrimental effects of the sun and UV radiation on the skin, as well as to increase growth factors that promote collagen formation.

Because of these demonstrated effects, astaxanthin is now beginning to be studied in wound healing products for the skin.

Clinical studies performed on elite athletes supplemented with astaxanthin for 90 days indicated that astaxanthin stimulated an improvement in both endurance and muscle strength. In this study, maximal force was increased 12%-14% over this period. 

Astaxanthin supplementation also helps increase mitochondrial metabolism leading to increased energy production, fat utilization and endurance. 

Also, astaxanthin helps to prevent muscle damage and inflammation after prolonged intense activity and decreases blood lactate while preventing plasma glucose reduction. When taken up to 45 days, astaxanthin delayed time to fatigue by 29% in swimming tests. This increase in muscle endurance is shown to come from the highly effective antioxidant property of astaxanthin which significantly reduces muscle oxidative stress, delays muscular exhaustion and improves energy and endurance.

Astaxanthin has demonstrated several beneficial effects on the cardiovascular system in multiple scientific studies. Clinical data show that astaxanthin supplementation for up to 3 months can reduce triglyceride levels, total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol while increasing HDL-cholesterol. In addition, astaxanthin has a beneficial effect on systemic blood pressure due to relaxation of blood vessels (vasorelaxation effect). This results in increased vascular elasticity, artery diameter and improved blood fluidity. 

Studies also show a potential protective effect of astaxanthin in myocardial infarction (MI) models where infarct size due to reperfusion injury may be decreased due to the protective effect of astaxanthin on oxidative stress. Studies in these subjects show that astaxanthin also reduces post-MI fibrosis due to reduced inflammation which improves left ventricle and overall cardiac function. Astaxanthin is therefore able to reduce the impact of myocardial infarction through its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects on reperfusion cardiotoxicity by reducing oxidative damage, inflammation and apoptosis.