Astaxanthin


What is an Antioxidant?

Antioxidants delay or inhibit cellular damage through their free radical scavenging property. They accomplish this by donating an electron to a damaging free radical thereby neutralizing it1.

What is Astaxanthin

Astaxanthin is naturally occurring carotenoid found in a wide variety of plants, algae, and seafood possessinga wide array of health benefits2,3. Its unique molecule has an extended shape, with a polar structure at either end and a non-polar zone in the middle. The polar structures are ionone rings that have have the ability to quench free radicals or other oxidants4.

 

Source: Pashkow et al, 20085.

 

Antioxidant Features of Astaxanthin

  • Considered “super anti-oxidant” possessing one of the strongest known antioxidant effects by quenching of singlet oxygen and inhibition of lipid per oxidation6
    • 6000 times stronger than vitamin C7
    • 11 times stronger than beta-carotene8
    • 75 times stronger than lipoic acid7
    • 550 times stronger than green tea catechins7
  • Unique structure allows it to cross the blood-brain barrier9
  • Reduces free radicals that react with cells and proteins, interfering with their function and leading to cell death10
  • Prevent cell death via reducing free radicals and proteins such as capase-310
  • Preserves mitochondrial integrity, the cell’s energy center11

 

Significant Anti-aging Benefits of Astaxanthin in Human Health

ANTI AGING potential by providing the following benefits

EYE HEALTH12,13,14,15,16,17

  • Support vision health protecting against macular degeneration
  • diabetic retinopathy
  • eye strain
  • eye fatigue

COGNITIVE

  • Crosses the blood-brain barrier reducing the risk of Alzheimers & Parkinsons disease as well as supporting a strong memory with aging9,18
  • Reduces both acute and chronic cognitive conditions, such as brain injury after stroke9

EXERCISE RECOVERY

  • prevents excessive production of free radicals during exercise19
  • increases endurance20
  • improves performance in healthy subjects during fitness21

ANTI-INFLAMMATORY

  • reduces discomfort from rheumatoid arthritis22

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References

  1. Lobo A, PatilA, Phatak et al. Free radicals, antioxidants and functional foods: Impact on human health. Pharmacogn Rev. 2010:4(8);118–26.
  2. Shah M, Liang Y, Cheng J et al. Astaxanthin-producing green microalga haematococcus pluvialis: from single cell to high value commercial products. Front. PlantSci:7:531.
  3. Ambati RR, Phang SM, Ravi S et al. Astaxanthin: Sources, extraction, stability, biological activities and its commercial applications—A Review. Mar. Drugs 2014:12;128-52.
  4. Kidd P. Astaxanthin, cell membrane nutrient with diverse clinical benefits and anti-aging potential. Altern Med Rev 2011;16(4):355-64.
  5. Pashkow FJ, Watumull DG and Campbell CL. Astaxanthin: a novel potential treatment for oxidative stress and infammation in cardiovascular disease. Am J Cardiol 2008;101(suppl):58D-68D.
  6. Dose J, Matsugo S, Yokokawa H et al. Scavenging and cellular antioxidant Properties of Astaxanthin. Int J Mol Sci. 2016;17(1):103.
  7. Nishida Y, Yamashita E and Miki W. Quenching activities of common hydrophilic and lipophilic antioxidants against singlet oxygen using chemiluminescence detection system. Carotenoid Science. 2007;11:16–20.
  8. Shimidzu, Gogo, Miki. Carotenoids as Singlet Oxygen Quenchers in Marine Organisms 1995. Fisheries Science 62(1), 134-7.
  9. GrimmigmB, Bickford PC, Morganti J et al. Immunomodulators as therapeutic agents in mitigating the progression of parkinson’s disease. Brain Sciences 2016;2076-3425.
  10. Wu H, Niu N, Shao A et al. Astaxanthin as a potential neuroprotective agent for neurological diseases. Marine Drugs 2015; 5750-4766.
  11. Wolf AM, Asoh S, Hiranuma H et al. Astaxanthin protects mitochondrial redox state and functional integrity against oxidative stress. J Nutr Biochem. 2010;21(5):381-9.
  12. Tsuneto I and Akihiko T. Effects of astaxanthin on eyestrain induced by accommodative dysfunction. Journal of the Eye 2006;6:829-34.
  13. Nagaki Y, Hayasaka S, Yamada T et al. Effects of astaxanthin on accommodation, critical flicker fusion, and pattern visual evoked potential in visual display terminal workers. Journal of Traditional Medicines 2002: 19(5):170-3.
  14. Nagaki Y, Miharu M, Jiro T et al. The effect of astaxanthin on retinal capillary blood flow in normal volunteers. Journal of Clinical Therapeutics & Medicines 2005;21:5;537-42.
  15. Sun Z, Liu J, Zeng X et al. Protective actions of microalgae against endogenous and exogenous advanced glycation endproducts (AGEs) in human retinal pigment epithelial cells. Food Funct. 2011;2(5):251-8.
  16. Ishida S. Lifestyle-related diseases and anti-aging ophthalmology: suppression of retinal and choroidal pathologies by inhibiting renin-angiotensin system and inflammation. Article in Japanese: Nihon Ganka Gakkai Zasshi. 2009;113(3):403-22; discussion 423. Review. Japanese.
  17. Liao JH, Chen CS, Maher TJ et al. Astaxanthin interacts with selenite and attenuates selenite-induced cataractogenesis. Chem Res Toxicol. 2009;16:22(3):518-25.
  18. Katagiri MS. Effects of astaxanthin-rich haematococcus pluvialis extract on cognitive function: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. J Clin Biochem Nutr. 2012;51(2):102-7.
  19. Baralic I, Andjelkovic M, Djordjevic B et al. Effect of astaxanthin supplementation on salivary iga, oxidative stress, and inflammation in young soccer players. Hindawi Publishing Corporation Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2015, Article ID 783761.
  20. Earnest CML, White KM, and Church TS. Effect of astaxanthin on cycling time trial performance. International Journal Of Sports Medicine 2011;882-8.
  21. Radivojevic N, Dikic N and Baralic I et al. Effects of astaxanthin supplementation on sports performance in young elite soccer players. European Database of Sports Science (EDSS). 16th Annual ECSS-Congress, Liverpool 2011. http://www.ecss2006.com/asp/congress/ScPro1AbstractText.asp?MyAbstractID=744.
  22. Nir Y, Spiller G, and Multz C. Effect of an astaxanthin containing product on rheumatoid arthritis. J Am Coll Nutr 2002. 21: 490.

 

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