Astaxanthin is a substance with many valuable properties, thanks to which it has been used in medicine and sports. The strong antioxidant effect makes astaxanthin effectively delay 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 chemical compounds called carotenoids. Carotenoids are pigments - usually yellow, orange or red - found naturally in plants. They support the process of photosynthesis and protect plants from damage caused by light. They enter the organisms of animals with food. The group of these compounds can be divided into two subtypes:

Karotenes:

alpha-carotene,

beta-carotene,

lycopene.

xanthophylls:

lutein,

zeaxanthin,

astaxanthin.

The aging process

They contain astaxanthin

Vitamins for athletes

Vitamins and minerals

For immunity

Antioxidants

They contain astaxanthin

Astaxanthin is produced by:

Haematococcus pluvialis algae, Chlorella zofingensis,

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

This xanthophyll is ingested with food by fish and seafood, which accumulate it in the muscle tissue. These include, for example, salmon, trout, shrimps, crayfish or crabs. Some animals have the ability to convert one carotenoid into another in the body. This is what happens in flamingos, which convert 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, so they supply 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,

shrimp - 3.1-14.8 mg,

crawfish - 15.3 mg,

crab - 11.9 mg.

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), a person can take 7.8 to 12 mg of astaxanthin a day.

Astaxanthin is absorbed into fats where it mixes with bile acid to form micelles and then chylomicrons. Then it can be transported to the tissues of the body, where it has an antioxidant effect. It also contains structures that catch free radicals.

Studies show that astaxanthin is 65 times more powerful than vitamin C and 50 times more powerful than vitamin E.

In addition, it shows 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 has an anti-inflammatory effect because it reduces various types of pain that may occur after training. Astaxanthin accelerates regeneration, which can improve the performance of athletes - 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 physical effort, a huge amount of free radicals is produced in the body - the more strenuous the training, the more of them are produced. Thanks to the radical-scavenging properties of astaxanthin, the mitochondria can produce more energy, which increases physical strength. Other studies have shown a decrease in the level of lactic acid formed in the muscles during physical activity. This substance is responsible for muscle pain during exercise. Administration of astaxanthin at a dose of 6 mg per day led to a decrease in lactic acid levels by 28%. In addition, it has been shown that astaxanthin supplementation accelerates fat burning and ensures better metabolism of fatty acids in the body.

Woman doing exercises

Astaxanthin in medicine

Studies show that astaxanthin has beneficial effects in immunological or neurodegenerative diseases:

Prevention of cancer - astaxanthin protects the body's DNA against the adverse effects of UV rays by detecting, capturing and destroying modified cells that have not been caught by the immune system. According to research, astaxanthin can shrink tumor by blocking cell replication and increasing the apoptosis of cancer cells.

Beneficial effect on the organ of vision - thanks to the ability to pass through the blood-retinal barrier, astaxanthin protects the eye against macular degeneration and inflammation. It also has a beneficial effect on the blood flow in the eye, which results in improving vision and reducing fatigue. According to research, it protects against the formation of cataracts or glaucoma.

* Counteracting complications of diabetes - administration of astaxanthin at a dose of 6.8 mg 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, may prevent the development of dementia, Alzheimer's disease, premature aging and cell death that can lead to Parkinson's disease. This substance also has a blood pressure lowering effect, thanks to which it protects against strokes. It improves blood supply to the brain, positively affecting memory.

* Impact on the skin - astaxanthin is a natural sunscreen, reduces inflammation and captures 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 results of the research show not only the preventive effect against the signs of aging, but also the reduction of existing skin lesions. Other studies have shown that supplementing with 4 mg of astaxanthin daily for 2 weeks reduced the formation of sunburn.

* Impact on blood lipid levels - the use of astaxanthin can reduce the fraction of "bad cholesterol" LDL, and increase the amount of "good cholesterol" HDL, and thus reduce the risk of developing atherosclerotic disease.

* Increasing the body's immunity - researchers indicate that supplementation with 2 mg of astaxanthin a day reduces the risk of infection by as much as 40%. This effect is due to its anti-inflammatory and protective properties 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

Improvement of skin condition 4-8 mg/day

Increasing strength and endurance 4-12 mg/day

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

Eye diseases 6-8 mg/day

No studies have shown any negative effects of using astaxanthin. Allergic reactions to this substance have also not been recorded.

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 M.Sc. farm. Marta Grabowska

*Rights to description, photos and sale of this product reserved

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