ASTAXANTHIN - ONE OF THE STRONGEST ANTIOXIDANTS IN THE WORLD

Astaxanthin is a substance with many valuable properties, thanks to which it has been used in medicine and sports. Thanks to its strong antioxidant effect, astaxanthin effectively delays the aging process of the body. In addition, it is a natural sunscreen, improves immunity and has a great effect on memory. What else does astaxanthin affect and in what products can it be found?

Astaxanthin - What is it?

Astaxanthin comes from a group of chemicals called carotenoids. Carotenoids are pigments - usually yellow, orange, or red - that occur naturally in plants. They support the photosynthesis process and protect plants from light damage. They get into the organisms of animals along with food. The group of these compounds can be divided into two subtypes:

carotenes:

alpha carotene,

beta carotene,

lycopene.

xanthophylls:

lutein

zeaxanthin,

astaxanthin.

The aging process

They contain astaxanthin

Vitamins for athletes

Vitamins and minerals

On immunity

Antioxidants

They contain astaxanthin

Astaxanthin is produced by:

Haematococcus pluvialis algae, Chlorella zofingensis,

yeasts Phaffia rhodozyma, bacteria Argobacterium auranticum, Mycobacterium laticola, Brevibacterium spp.

This xanthophyll is consumed with food by fish and seafood that store it in the muscle tissue. These include, for example, salmon, trout, shrimp, crayfish and crabs. Some animals have the ability to convert one carotenoid into another in the body. This is what happens in flamingos that turn yellow zeaxanthin and orange beta-carotene into pink astaxanthin. Thanks to this, the feathers of these animals have a characteristic color.

Man cannot synthesize astaxanthin, therefore it supplies it to the body with food.

Astaxanthin content per 100 g in fish and seafood in mg:

raw salmon - 0.438 mg,

smoked salmon - 0.360 mg,

trout - 0.072 mg,

salmon trout - 0.277 mg,

prawns - 3.1-14.8 mg,

crawfish - 15.3 mg,

crab - 11.9 mg.

According to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), a person can consume 7.8 to 12 mg of astaxanthin per day.

Astaxanthin - properties

Astaxanthin is absorbed into the fats where it mixes with bile acid to form micelles and then chylomicrons. Then it can be transported to the body's tissues, where it exhibits antioxidant activity. There are also structures that catch free radicals.

Studies show that astaxanthin has 65 times more antioxidant activity than vitamin C and 50 times more than vitamin E.

In addition, it has stronger properties in capturing free radicals than coenzyme Q10, vitamin C, green tea catechins or beta-carotene.

Astaxanthin in sports

Astaxanthin is an ideal agent for athletes - both for professionals and amateurs. It is anti-inflammatory because it reduces various types of pain that may appear after training. Astaxanthin accelerates regeneration, which can improve the performance of players - their strength and endurance. To prove this property, a study was conducted in which a group of people took 4 mg of astaxanthin daily for 6 months. Their strength was measured at the beginning and end of the test and the results showed a 62% increase in strength.

During exercise, a huge amount of free radicals is created in the body - the more strenuous the training, the more of them are formed. Thanks to the radical scavenging properties of astaxanthin, the mitochondria can generate more energy and thus increase physical strength. Other studies have shown a decrease in the level of lactic acid formed in the muscles during exercise. This substance is responsible for muscle pain during exercise. Administration of astaxanthin at a dose of 6 mg daily led to a decrease in lactic acid levels by 28%. In addition, it has been shown that astaxanthin supplementation accelerates fat burning and ensures a better conversion of fatty acids in the body.

The woman during exercises

Astaxanthin in medicine

Research shows that astaxanthin has a beneficial effect in immunological or neurodegenerative diseases:

Cancer prevention - Astaxanthin protects the body's DNA from the harmful effects of UV rays by detecting, capturing and destroying modified cells that have not been captured by the immune system. According to studies, astaxanthin may shrink tumors by blocking cell replication and increasing cancer cell apoptosis.

Beneficial effect on the organ of vision - thanks to its ability to cross the blood-retinal barrier, astaxanthin protects the eye against macular degeneration and inflammation. It also has a beneficial effect on blood flow in the eye, which improves vision and reduces fatigue. According  the conducted research protects against the formation of cataracts or glaucoma.

* Management of diabetes complications - administration of 6.8 mg astaxanthin daily has been shown to lower blood glucose levels, increase insulin sensitivity and stimulate the pancreas to secrete insulin.

* Positive effects on the brain - Astaxanthin protects neurons from degradation, can prevent the onset of dementia, Alzheimer's disease, premature aging and cell death that can lead to Parkinson's disease. This substance also has a pressure-lowering effect, thanks to which it protects against strokes. It improves the blood supply to the brain, positively influencing memory. 

* Effects on the skin - astaxanthin is a natural sunscreen, reduces inflammation and catches free radicals formed under the influence of UV rays. It also affects the elasticity of the skin, prevents the formation of wrinkles, age spots and skin hyperpigmentation. The test results show not only the preventive effect against the signs of aging, but also the reduction of already existing skin changes. Other analyzes showed that supplementing with 4 mg of astaxanthin daily for 2 weeks reduced the occurrence of sunburn. 

* Effects on blood lipids - the use of astaxanthin can lower the LDL “bad cholesterol” fraction and increase the amount of HDL “good cholesterol”, thus reducing the risk of developing atherosclerotic disease.  

* Increasing the body's immunity - researchers indicate that supplementation with 2 mg of astaxanthin daily reduces the risk of infection by as much as 40%. It owes this action to its anti-inflammatory properties and protects against cell DNA damage.

Astaxanthin - recommended dosage

Application

Recommended dosage:

Antioxidant 2-4 mg / day

Inflammation 8-12 mg / day

Internal UV filter 4-8 mg / day

Skin condition improvement 4-8 mg / day

Increasing strength and endurance 4-12 mg / day

Effects on brain health and function 4-8 mg / day

Eye diseases 6-8 mg / day

No studies have shown any negative effects of astaxanthin. Also, no allergic reactions to this substance have been reported. 

The wide use of astaxanthin and the lack of side effects make it worth including this substance in your daily diet. Due to its properties, it is especially recommended for active people and seniors.

Sources:

* Capelli B., The World's Best Kept health Secret Natural Astaxanthin,

* Ekpe L., Inaku K., Ekpe V., Antioxidant effects of astaxanthin in various diseases- a review,

* Oral O., Zusa A.,  Akdogan I., Alakoc F ,. Tirpan M., Antioxidants and Astaxanthin In Sports Nutrition,

* dr hab. Hamułka J., Food antioxidants and health benefits.

AUTHOR mgr farm. Marta Grabowska

* https: //www.aptekagemini.pl/poradnik/zdrowie/astaksantyna-jeden-z-najsilszych-antyoksydantow-swiata/