Astaxanthin

Astaxanthin has been called the miracle supplement of the 21^st century.  It is what makes salmon pink in color and is found in krill oil.  Without astaxanthin, salmon are mere average performers, and their survival rate drops to less than one in five.  But with astaxanthin, they become superstars of the aquatic world, and their survival rate on salmon farms leaps from 17% to an astonishing 98%.   Most antioxidants, such as vitamin C, E and various others, can typically only handle one free radical at a time, but astaxanthin can handle multiple free radicals simultaneously.  In some cases more than 19 at the same time, and there are no chemical reactions to break it down, which is what occurs in most other antioxidants.  This is why such a small dose can be so effective.   One study showed that it was 6,000 times stronger than vitamin C, 800 times stronger than CoQ10, and 550 times stronger than green tea catechins. [1]

Astaxanthin is also a strong anti-inflamatory.  It acts to lower important inflammatory markers by slowing production of pain-causing enzymes such as Cox 2 [2].  In one study, volunteers taking  2 or 8 mg/day astaxanthin for 2 months saw their levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) drop by 50%.  CRP is an important marker of inflammation in the body [3].   In another study inflammation biomarker MMP-13 was reduced by 75% and PGE₂ and LTB₄   were reduced by 55%.  In OA and RA cartilage, MMP-13 production results in the loss of type II collagen, tensile properties, and structural integrity of the affected joint. [4]

Clinical Trials:

1. Boost Recovery and Eliminate Soreness: The Human Performance Laboratories at the University of Memphis conducted a three-week study on healthy individuals who experienced knee joint pain after a strenuous weights workout. Predictably the group given a placebo experienced no relief from their knee pain symptoms. However, the group given astaxanthin indicated NO knee soreness post workout. [5]
2. Decrease Pain: The Journal of the American College of Nutrition reported that rheumatoid arthritis sufferers showed a 35% improvement in their reported pain levels and their ability to maintain their daily activities increased by 40% after only eight weeks of astaxanthin. [6]

Other Health Benefits:

Healthier Cholesterol and Arteries

If you’ve never linked antioxidants with cholesterol management, you’re in for a big surprise because this may be one of astaxanthin’s biggest benefits of all.
One study found that LDL (“bad” cholesterol) was significantly lower among overweight individuals after just 12 weeks of taking astaxanthin. [7] What’s more, another study found that astaxanthin raised “good” HDL cholesterol and reduced triglycerides. [8]
Astaxanthin supports artery health, too. Studies indicate that it helps stop LDL cholesterol from oxidizing so that it won’t clog up and harden your arteries. And this artery-scrubbing effect means better circulation too. [9]

Vision That Stays Clear and Focused

UV sunlight and oxidative stress produce serious damage to your vision. However, studies show that astaxanthin can help protect your eyes against the damage. [10,11]
Remember, astaxanthin can cross the blood-retina barrier to positively impact eye health. In fact, it’s the most powerful antioxidant among the carotenoids, which are well known for their eye-protective capabilities, and it’s been shown to be 5 times more potent than lutein, perhaps the most well-known “eye nutrient” of all!

Brain Health

Astaxanthin has been called the most “brain-friendly” antioxidant of all.
Scientists know that oxidative stress on brain cells can lead to memory loss and cognitive problems. That’s because about 30% of the brain’s mass is highly susceptible to oxidation damage.
However it’s been proven that astaxanthin’s unique ability to cross the blood-brain barrier allows it to “get in” and protect brain cells better than any other antioxidant known. In fact, a study published in the prestigious Brain Journal singled out astaxanthin’s potential brain-health benefits and its ability to fight oxidative damage that can lead to mental decline. [12]

Skin Health

Astaxanthin not only helps protect your skin from future damage, it can also reverse years of damage relatively quickly. [13] One of the ways it works is by protecting the skin’s outermost layer against oxidative stress. This enhances cell repair and collagen production, thus increasing skin moisture, reducing wrinkles and providing for firmer, more youthful looking skin.[14,15,16]

Energy, Stamina and Mobility

A recent study at the Johns Hopkins Center on Aging and Health found a clear link between carotenoids, such as astaxanthin, and improved muscle strength activity levels. [17] That’s because, once again, oxidative stress and inflammation cause muscular problems, fatigue and weakness, while astaxanthin protects you from the oxidative damage that contributes to fatigue and weakness.
Studies suggest astaxanthin may help improve stamina, [18] and inhibit the formation of lactic acid during exercise that can make your muscles ache. [19] It has become popular among athletes for this reason, and you too will find that astaxanthin makes exercise easier and more enjoyable.

Scientific References:

1. Nishida Y. et. al, Quenching Activities of Common Hydrophilic and Lipophilic Antioxidants against Singlet Oxygen Using Chemiluminescence Detection System.
   Carotenoid Science 11:16-20 (2007) 2.  Lee SJ, Bai SK, Lee KS, Namkoong S, Na HJ, Ha KS, Han JA, Yim SV, Chang K, Kwon YG, Lee SK, Kim YM. Astaxanthin inhibits nitric oxide production and inflammatory gene expression by suppressing I(kappa)B kinase-dependent NF-kappaB activation. Mol Cells. 2003 Aug 31;16(1):97-105. PubMed PMID: 14503852.
   3.  Nutrition and Metabolism”; Astaxanthin Decreased Oxidative Stress and Inflammation and Enhanced Immune Response in Humans; J.S. Park et al.; March 2010 Retrieved from http://www.livestrong.com/article/466354astaxanthin-inflammation/                                                             4.  Kimble, L., et al. (2013, March 30). Astaxanthin mediates inflammation biomarkers associated with arthritis in human chondrosarcoma cells induced with interleukin-1ß. American Journal of Advances Food Science and Technology, 2. 37-51. Retrieved from http://www.uscip.org/paper/ajafst/AJAFST%20-%20Astaxanthin%20Mediates%20Inflammation%20Biomarkers%20Associated%20with%20Arthritis%20in%20Human%20Chondrosarcoma%20Cells%20Induced%20with%20Interleukin-1B.pdf
2. Fry, A. Astaxanthin Clinical Trial for Delayed Onset Muscular Soreness. Human Performance Laboratories, The University of Memphis, Report 1, August 16, 2001.
   6. Nir, Y., Spiller, G. Journal of the American College of Nutrition. 21(5):Oct, 2002.
   7. Choi HD, Youn YK, Shin WG. Positive effects of astaxanthin on lipid profiles and oxidative stress in overweight subjects. Plant Foods For Human Nutrition. 2011 Nov; 66(4): 363-9.
   8. Yoshida H et al. Atherosclerosis 2010; 209(2): 520-23
   9. Miyawaki H, Takahasi J, Tsukahara H, Takehara I. Effects of Astaxanthin on Human Blood Rheology. Journal of Clinical Biochemistry and Nutrition. 2008 September; 43(2): 69?74.
   10. Nakagawa K et al. Antioxidant effect of astaxanthin on phospholipid peroxidation in human erythrocytes. Br J Nutr. 2011 Jun;105:11, 1563-71.
   11. Piermarocchi S. Carotenoids in Age-related Maculopathy Italian Study (CARMIS): two-year results of a randomized study. Eur J Ophthalmol. 2011 Oct 17:0. doi: 10.5301/ejo.5000069. [Epub ahead of print.]
   12. Liu X, Shibata T, Hisaka S, Osawa T. Astaxanthin inhibits reactive oxygen species-mediated cellular toxicity in dopaminergic SHSY5Y cells via mitochondria-targeted protective mechanism. Brain Research. 13 February 2009, Pages 18-27.
   13. Arakane, Y. Superior skin protection via Astaxanthin. Cartenoid Science. April 2002, Vol. 5
   14. Pashkow, FJ et al. Astaxanthin: A Novel Potential Treatment for Oxidative Stress and Inflammation in Cardiovascular Disease. Am J Cardio. 22 May 2008;101:10, S58-S68.
   15. Kim YJ, Kim YA, Yokozawa T. Protection against oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis of high-glucose-exposed proximal tubular epithelial cells by astaxanthin. J Agric Food Chem. 2009 Oct 14;57(19):8793-7. doi: 10.1021/jf9019745.
   16. Park JS, Chyun JH, Kim YK, Line LL, Chew BP. Astaxanthin decreased oxidative stress and inflammation and enhanced immune response in humans. Nutr Metab (Lond). 2010 Mar 5;7:18. doi: 10.1186/1743-7075-7-18.
   17. Alipanah et al. Low Serum Carotenoids Are Associated With A Decline In Walking Speed In Older Women. The Journal of Nutrition, Health & Aging. 2009, 13; 3: 170-175.
   18. Malmsten C. 1998, Dietary supplementation with astaxanthin rich algal meal improves muscle endurance – double blind study on male students. Unpublished.
   19. Sawaki, K. et al. (2002) Sports performance benefits from taking natural astaxanthin characterized by visual activity and muscle fatigue improvements in humans. Journal of Clinical Therapeutics & Medicine 18(9):73-88.