Astaxanthin Supplement Info and Products

Astaxanthin Benefits, Side Effects, and Research

AKA: Astaxanthin

Astaxanthin Overview

Detailed Information on Astaxanthin:

What is Astaxanthin?

Astaxanthin is a fat soluble carotenoids with a unique molecular structure that makes it an incredibly effective antioxidant. The PDR Medical Dictionary second edition defines and antioxidant as, "An agent that inhibits oxidation; any of numerous chemical substances, including certain natural body products and nutrients, that can neutralize the oxidant effect of free radicals and other substances." Not only days astaxanthin a potent free radical scavenger, but it also can protect against oxidation, which limits the number of free radicals produced. Additionally, it's very effective at quenching a molecule called singet oxygen, a harmful reactive oxygen species formed through normal biological processes. Singlet oxygen possesses a high amount of excess energy that must be released to keep it from damaging other cells. Astaxanthin absorbs this energy and dissipates it as heat, and in the process returns the singlet oxygen to a grounded state.

The Research

A growing body of research is showing that astaxanthin is the best phytonutrient antioxidant. Studies comparing astaxanthin to other carotenoids have shown it to possess antioxidant activity up to 10 times stronger than not a beta-carotene, canthaxanthin, lutein and zeaxanthin. A study published in 1990 conducted by Kurashige and Associates compared the effectiveness of vitamin E and astaxanthin for the prevention of lipid peroxidation. The results showed that astaxanthin is 100 to 500 times more defective in preventing lipid peroxidation in vivo than vitamin E.

What does Astaxanthin do?

Astaxanthin in algae provides protection against the effects of ultraviolet (UV) light exposure, and studies are showing that this protective effect is also imparted with dietary astaxanthin. Scientists believe that astaxanthin effectively scavenge is the oxygen radicals produced through photo-oxidation caused by UV exposure. A 1995 study by Savoure and Associates studied the protective effects of astaxanthin, beta-carotene, and retinol against UV-induced photo-oxidative stress. The results showed that astaxanthin is extremely effective in preventing increases of certain polyamines created through photo-oxidation, which damages skin. A particular polyamine was found to increase only 1.5-fold and subjects fed astaxanthin, whereas subjects in the control group experienced a significant 4.1-fold increase. It was concluded that astaxanthin works through a particular enzyme, increasing this enzymes consumption of polyamines in response to irridation.

Further Research

Research has shown that astaxanthin also offers cardio protective effects through its ability to decrease oxidation of HDL cholesterol, which is a cholesterol transport or in the blood. It is well established that high levels of HDL and low levels above LDL are desirable for healthy cardiovascular function, so protecting HDL from oxidation means there's more circulating in the bloodstream. In a 1992 study by Murillo, subjects were fed dietary astaxanthin for 13 days. HDL cholesterol increased 57 mg/dL, compared to the controlled diet (42.4 mg/dL). LDL cholesterol decreased from 12.5 mg/dL to 9.6 mg/dL. Clearly, astaxanthin exhibited an influence on the ratio of the these two lipoproteins.