The Benefits of Astaxanthin - Nature's Strongest Antioxidant
Astaxanthin (pronounced asta-ZAN-thin) is one of a group of natural pigments known as xanthophylls (pronounced ZAN-tho-fils), a subcategory of the carotenoid family.
Carotenoids are produced by both plants and animals as part of their survival mechanisms. In plants, carotenoids act as a natural sunscreen, protecting them from ultraviolet light from the sun using the carotenoid's natural antioxidant properties.
Sea animals with a red or pinkish color, such as salmon, lobster, shrimp and crab get this color from a diet of krill and other small organisms that eat algae and plankton.
One of the most powerful benefits of astaxanthin is best demonstrated by salmon swimming upstream to spawn. They often go without food for days, drawing on their own reserves while swimming upstream. Astaxanthin is credited for giving salmon the endurance they need to accomplish this feat.
Nature's Strongest Antioxidant
Astaxanthin has been shown in the lab to be the strongest natural antioxidant known. It has been measured to be many times more potent in some ways than vitamin E or vitamin C, beta-carotene, lutein or pycnogenol.
Astaxanthin:
reaches into every part of the cell, inside and out
crosses the blood-brain barrier to protect the brain and nervous system
crosses the blood-retinal barrier and bring protection to the eyes
works in every part of your body, organs and skin
The Benefits of Astaxanthin for Inflammation
Inflammation is your body's response against infection and the mechanism it uses for repairing injured tissue. While occasional inflammation is a normal, healthy process, chronic inflammation can be devastating. Another term used to describe this condition is systemic, or "silent" inflammation.
This chronic inflammation is now being associated not just with asthma and arthritis, but also with ailments such as atherosclerosis, strokes, ulcers, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease, cancer, diabetes and more. Astaxanthin has shown to be a very powerful weapon in the battle against inflammation.
Astaxanthin for Joint Pain
Astaxanthin has been shown to be a very effective remedy for all types of joint pain, including tennis elbow, carpal tunnel syndrome, arthritis, and joint soreness after strenuous exercise. Astaxanthin can help reduce pain and inflammation in tendons, joints and muscles.
Astaxanthin -- the Serious Athlete's Secret Weapon
The benefits of astaxanthin for serious athletes are significant. Regular users report that supplementing with astaxanthin:
increases strength and stamina
reduces recovery time
prevents joint and muscle soreness after exercise
reduces lactic acid levels
Many competitive and endurance athletes have become believers in astaxanthin supplements for all of the above reasons.
Astaxanthin for Youthful, Beautiful Skin
One of the most frequently-reported benefits of astaxanthin is an improvement in skin quality. There is evidence that this antioxidant not only prevents UV sun damage from occurring, but may actually help to reverse external signs of aging from the inside out. This has been clearly demonstrated in human clinical trials.
Many users report that they are able to spend significantly more time out in the sun without burning than they were able to before. This is due to the powerful anti-inflammatory properties that astaxanthin has (a sunburn is essentially an inflammation of your skin).
Dr. Nicholas Perricone, one of the world's leading antiaging experts, highly recommends astaxanthin for reducing wrinkles and age spots, improving moisture levels, elasticity and smoothness, and for giving your skin a beautiful, healthy glow. Several cosmetic manufacturers have begun to use this powerful antioxidant as an ingredient in facial and body creams to provide UV protection and heal damaged skin.
Other Reported Benefits
The benefits of astaxanthin cover virtually the entire spectrum available from antioxidants. Aside from those previously mentioned, here are some other benefits:
boosts immune system by increasing antibodies
helps prevent heart attacks
helps prevent the initiation of cancer cells
helps prevent macular degeneration
helps prevent Alzheimer's and Parkinson's
normalizes blood pressure
relieves prostate problems
gives you better resistance to colds
prevents and relieves diabetes
prevents gum disease
enhances reproductive health
protects the eyes and skin from UVA and UVB damage
protects all parts of the cells from oxidative damage
Supplementing with Astaxanthin
As you can see from the exhaustive list of benefits, astaxanthin is certainly one of the most important antioxidants you could add to your daily diet. You might even consider putting it at the top of your list -- it's that powerful and versatile. Since the amounts you would get from food sources are very limited -- only about 2 mg. or less in a 4oz. serving of salmon -- astaxanthin supplements are the only way to get all the benefits of this amazing antioxidant.
