This means that astaxanthin helps reduce oxidative stress and related symptoms. Astaxanthin is also used to support cardiovascular health, eye health, skin health, and brain health. Available research suggests that astaxanthin can indeed promote cardiovascular health.

One study , for example, found that astaxanthin can promote healthy blood pressure levels for those already within a normal range. Another study found that participants with cholesterol levels already in normal range experienced increased HDL good cholesterol levels after supplementation.

One study found that participants who took astaxanthin over a six-week period experienced improved skin health, including a reduction in the appearance of fine lines and better overall skin hydration. Because of its antioxidant properties, astaxanthin may support retinal health.

Studies show that subjects with eye issues who use astaxanthin supplements report improvements in vision-related functions. Astaxanthin is also increasingly known for its support of brain health. A study found that people supplementing with astaxanthin performed better on learning and cognitive tests than those who took a placebo.

Because of the health benefits described above — and more — astaxanthin has become a very popular supplement. But there are natural sources of astaxanthin, too, that can help you boost your intake.

Krill oil not only contains the essential nutrient choline, but it also is a rich source of astaxanthin. It also contains the omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA. In other words, krill oil is packed with nutritional value and is a great option for combating oxidative stress.

Its rich omega-3 content makes it especially useful for promoting cardiovascular health. Krill oil has also been used for other health-related purposes, including to support cognitive health.

In fact, astaxanthin is part of what helps salmon become great swimmers, supporting them as they make their tireless journeys upstream. Studies show that among the types of wild salmon, the maximum astaxanthin content was found in the wild Oncorhynchus species.

Wild-caught sockeye salmon is the richest salmon source of astaxanthin, partly because wild-caught salmon have spent their lives consuming microalgae, the purest form of astaxanthin. Farmed salmon, on the other hand, have only been getting a commercially-made, synthetic version.

In other words, opt for the wild-caught salmon whenever you can. The red yeast Phaffia rhodozyma is another natural source of astaxanthin.

It has activities approximately 10 times stronger than that of other carotenoids. Haematococcus pluvialis is a type of green microalgae that accumulates high levels of astaxanthin content under certain conditions.

These conditions include: high salinity, nitrogen deficiency, high temperatures, and light. Such algae is the main way people get their astaxanthin intake, aside from seafood-derived sources. Crustaceans like shrimp can be an excellent food source of astaxanthin.

Carrots do contain dietary beta-carotene, which is an antioxidant that your body then converts into vitamin A. Carrots get their orange color from beta carotene. That said, carrots are not a source of astaxanthin.

They are one of the most diverse groups of natural pigments, which are responsible for the bright orange, red and yellow colors primarily in veggies, fruits, and many plant parts.

Carotenoids fall under the class of fat-soluble terpenes, compounds also known as a tetraterpenoid. They are among the earliest and the most investigated phytochemicals in the history of biology.

In fact, their use cases and benefits have been studied at great length dating as far back as the s. Perhaps the most recognizable member of the group is carotene , which is often associated with carrots — and, by that token, vitamin A. Not so surprising is that carotene was the first known carotenoid.

Heinrich Wilhelm Ferdinand Wackenroder actually discovered it by accident in the late s while investigating a different phytochemical called anthelmintic. It was a famous Austrian chemist Adolf Lieben , however, who is credited for discovering carotenoids in the human tissue while conducting research in at the University of Palermo.

Today, there are over 1, documented carotenoid compounds. They can all be placed into two broad categories:. Astaxanthin, beta-cryptoxanthin, lutein, and zeaxanthin are good examples.

Foods rich in xanthophylls include pumpkin, egg yolks, avocado, summer squash, spinach, and kale. They are often linked to eye health.

These include alpha α carotene, beta β carotene and lycopene. Foods rich in carotene include papaya, tomatoes, tangerines, sweet potatoes, cantaloupe and, of course, carrots.

No matter the category, all carotenoids boast antioxidant properties which varies depending on the actual compound. From a historical standpoint, they are almost synonymous with vitamin A.

These include beta-cryptoxanthin, beta carotene, and alpha-carotene. Astaxanthin is an increasingly popular carotenoid which belongs to the subclass of xanthophyll. It occurs naturally in certain algae and runs the color gamut from red to pink.

Some astaxanthin can also be found in specific seafood types. In fact, it is what causes the reddish color in lobster, salmon, fish eggs, trout, crabs, and other seafood. This substance is also what is responsible for the pinkish color in the features of flamingo.

The substance is of particular significance because it never converts to become a pro-oxidant. This means that it can never bring destructive oxidation in the body, making it perfect for health-related benefits and performance.

Buy Astaxanthin on Amazon. com today. That being said, astaxanthin as an antioxidant helps reduce oxidation, a natural that is responsible for the vast majority of inflammation cases in our bodies.

If not reduced, prolonged inflammation can cause insurmountable damage to our health and well-being. Specifically, inflammation is responsible for early aging, brain-related conditions like dementia, eye problems, heart disease, arthritis, and an array of cancers. By the virtue of being an effective antioxidant, astaxanthin can help with these conditions and a long list of other health complications.

Your body cannot produce astaxanthin on its own, which means you have to get it through food or dietary supplements. Those who prefer astaxanthin-rich foods should consume plenty of salmon, shrimp, lobster, rainbow trout, and other seafood.

Seafood, however, might not be a plausible way to get significant amount of astaxanthin. The richest seafood source — sockeye salmon, for instance, has only 4. Those based on Pluvialis algae have the highest bioavailable amount of astaxanthin.

In fact, it is the only supplement has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration FDA as a safe and viable source of dietary astaxanthin.

Phaffia rhodozyma , a popular red yeast, and some crustacean are the other two main commercially viable sources of astaxanthin. There exists also synthetic astaxanthin that has been traditionally used by manufacturers to produce food coloring and fish feed.

So, how does astaxanthin actually work? Against this background, it is quite clear that astaxanthin is hands down one of the best ways to ingest antioxidants into your body. As you may already know, antioxidants are important for your body.

They play a big role in human growth, health, and wellness. These nifty compounds boast some of the most powerful anti-inflammatory properties. Antioxidant properties of astaxanthin help explain its health benefits and claims, particularly when used to help manage and treat a variety of diseases like cancer.

Biologically speaking, antioxidants are agile molecules that repair damage caused at the cellular level by unstable, harmful molecules called free radicals.

These molecules are constantly being released during metabolism. For instance, our disease-fighting immune system uses certain free radicals to kill viruses, bacteria and other germs that try to infect our bodies. Unfortunately, untamed free radicals can also destroy good cells.

In fact, it is the job of antioxidants like astaxanthin to keep free radicals in check. Anything that stifles this balance can lead to oxidative stress, a state which could be detrimental to our body. Antioxidants act on free radicals by donating electrons to them.

This process renders free radicals stable and neutralized. So, by definition, antioxidants reverse the process oxidation — and therefore prevents oxidative stress from occurring. Persistent oxidative stress can lead to increased risk of bad health outcomes, including neurodegenerative disorders, heart disease, and a number of cancers.

Prolonged interference by free radicals can contribute to accelerating the aging process. In our everyday lives we are exposed to several risk factors that increase the formation of free radicals.

Some lifestyle habits and environmental factors that encourage oxidative stress. They include excessive alcohol intake, high carb diet, certain toxins, cigarette smoking, excess consumption of certain metals zinc, copper, magnesium, or iron , too much or too little oxygen in the blood, air pollution, and infections, just to mention a few.

As we have mentioned earlier, the number of studies that have been conducted on the effectiveness and health benefits of astaxanthin reach in the thousands. Today, over 30 million people in the US have diabetes, and a huge chunk of that die every year.

In fact, diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death in the country. Overweight and obese people are at the highest risk of diabetes. Diabetes is caused by problems with the insulin-producing pancreas.

More specifically, this happens when pancreatic beta cells are damaged, inflamed or otherwise malfunctioning. When these cells are destroyed, the pancreas produces very little or no insulin at all.

Insulin is a useful hormone that plays a key role in regulating how sugar and fats you consume are used or stored in your body. It so happens that oxidative stress caused by high blood sugar is the leading reason why pancreatic β-cells die or malfunction.

There are several studies that show that diabetic patients have high levels of oxidative stress often associated with hyperglycemia and glucose toxicity. In fact, in one milestone study published in , scientists found that astaxanthin reduced glucose toxicity in diabetic mice and therefore protected their pancreatic beta cells.

Astaxanthin can also help patients manage diabetes. In a study , researchers discovered that astaxanthin can help lower high blood pressure and improve the metabolism of sugar in patients with type 2 diabetes. As an antioxidant, astaxanthin has countless benefits towards the regaining of the lymph cell dysfunction as well as enhancement of insulin sensitivity, according to another study published in There is a growing number of research and studies that seem to suggest that astaxanthin can play a role in keeping your ticker healthy.

This is particularly important given that cardiovascular conditions are the leading causes of death worldwide. For example, a heart attack happens every 40 seconds in the US alone, with heart disease causing over , American deaths each year. How so? It helps curb bad cholesterol. High LDL bad cholesterol and low HDL good cholesterol in the body is a bad combination and risk factor for cardiovascular disease.

In a blind study , researchers noted that astaxanthin can help reduce the levels of LDL bad cholesterol in obese and overweight participants after 12 weeks of use. They also saw a significant reduction in oxidative stress levels. It regulates blood lipids. Astaxanthin use can also improve the levels adiponectin and HDL, the good cholesterol.

A comprehensive study published in concurs. After 12 weeks of using astaxanthin, subjects with high levels of blood fat experienced a considerable increase in HDL levels. It enhances blood flow and circulation. A study involving hypertensive rats those found to have high blood pressure revealed that astaxanthin can help improve the thickness and elasticity of the walls of arteries.

The Eureka idea here is that the compound can help regulate blood pressure and strengthen arterial walls to prevent heart failure due to hypertension. It reduces oxidative stress in blood. Another study examined blood profile of 24 participants after day use of astaxanthin.

Results seem to indicate that the supplement can reduce blood oxidation and delays blood clotting. Nearly half of US adults are hypertensive, but the vast majority are not aware of it. Check out this comparative review of the best heart monitors we published previously and how to pick the right one for you.

If you want to stay on top of every aspect of fitness and health, you can never go wrong with a state-of-the-art wrist worn monitor like HeartGuide by Omron. The best of CES , HeartGuide can take your blood pressure on the go, count your steps, track your fitness, and monitor your sleep — all at the same time!

That being said, the problem with hypertension often boils down to the resistance to blood flow in the vessels — namely, the arteries, capillaries, and veins. The narrower your blood vessels read: blocked arteries due to high LDL cholesterol or triglycerides , the higher your blood pressure.

Untreated hypertension can become an increased risk factor for obesity, heart disease, and even stroke. Astaxanthin has shown great potential in preventing and reducing high blood pressure as well as ameliorating associated effects. And there are several studies that seem to agree.

High cholesterol in the blood can clog your arteries up, which then leads to a buildup in the blood pressure. Astaxanthin also fights hypertension by reducing blood oxidative stress and relaxing the walls of the blood vessels.

In a study published in in the Journal of Biological and Pharmaceutical Bulletin , scientists found that astaxanthin use helps regulate nitric oxide a sign of oxidative stress and increases the reactivity of blood vessels.

In practice, hypertension can be reduced by losing excess weight , increasing physical activity, limiting alcohol intake, and embracing a healthy diet.

When coupled with these activities, astaxanthin can be more effective at reducing high blood pressure. Close to 34 percent of adult Americans are considered to have high LDL cholesterol.

It is produced naturally by the liver and is transported via the blood to be used to make cell membranes, vitamin D and some hormones. Traditionally, doctors recommend quitting smoking, eating healthy, exercising and weight loss to people with high cholesterol. Supplementing your diet with astaxanthin has also shown results when it comes to reducing high LDL levels.

One eye-opening study seems to suggest that taking between 6mg and 18mg of astaxanthin every day for 84 days reduces the blood levels of lipids often associated with high LDL levels in individuals with high cholesterol. Not just that — the study also indicated that astaxanthin helps increase the levels of good cholesterol.

Another research study showed that taking a combination of lycopene, astaxanthin, and other carotenoids for 45 days reduces the levels of triglycerides and LDL cholesterol in male rats. One of the leading causes is a heart attack, high blood pressure or heart failure.

What happens in the aftermath of a heart attack can have a huge impact on the quality of life, life expectancy, and chances of repeat cardiac arrest.

Specifically, astaxanthin use has been discovered to prevent heart damage not only during an attack but also in the aftermath.

In a study involving dog, rabbit and rat heart attack models, scientists found that there was a reduction in the damage of heart cells in animals pre-treated with astaxanthin. Although extensive research has not been conducted on human subjects, scientists believe these results can be replicated in humans.

Astaxanthin can also help restore the subtle balance between nitric oxide and peroxynitrite. Major complications in the endothelium have been associated with serious health issues, including diabetes, hypertension, poor immune system, insulin resistance, cancer, and atherosclerosis.

Changes to the endothelium can also increase damage to the heart in case of a heart attack. In fact, in one study published in in the International Journal of Nanomedicine , scientists found that astaxanthin can help repair cardiovascular damage.

The immune system is much akin to the police for your body. If your immune system cannot respond in time, diseases can easily enter your body and cause insurmountable damage to your health.

Unfortunately, many things can interfere with your normal immune response, including conditions like HIV as well as prolonged inflammation. Oxidative stress caused by too many free radicals in the body can have adverse effects on the immune response. As a robust antioxidant, astaxanthin can naturally reduce oxidative stress and ensure that your immune system is functioning at an optimal state.

In a human study , a team of researchers from La Haye Labs, Inc. They found that those who used astaxanthin showed signs of decreased DNA damage and improvement in the immune response.

In another study published in , researchers examined the effects of astaxanthin on lymphatic function via both test-tube study and mice study. They noted that the presence of astaxanthin encouraged the lymphatic glands to produce more lymphocytes which then stimulated the immune response.

Ulcers are sores, holes or wounds that develop inside the body. They are not only painful but also take a significantly long time to heal. In most cases, the ulcers can recur many times if the underlying cause is not treated.

com today! While stomach ulcers are the most common in the US, there are many known types of ulcers, including genital ulcers, mouth ulcers, venous ulcers, and arterial ulcers. Peptic ulcers are depicted by a burning sensation in the stomach. This may be accompanied by vomiting, heartburn, bloating, chest pain, nausea, incessant belching, and even sudden drop in weight.

The most common cause of this type of ulcers is infection by the bacteria H. Your physician and prescribe a concoction of antibiotics to clear the bacterial colony, allowing the ulcers to heal. Unfortunately, oxidative stress in the gut often creates a conducive environment that allows H.

pylori to thrive. That means your stomach ulcers will come back many times until you take care of the oxidative stress. As mentioned earlier, astaxanthin is a strong antioxidant that reduces oxidative stress. When you take astaxanthin orally, it will help keep H. pylori at bay for good.

This helps protect the lining wall of your intestines and prevent ulcer formation. In one study carried out in , researchers pretreated mice with astaxanthin before inducing gastric ulcers.

The mice displayed a significant decline in gastric ulcers when the astaxanthin was used to fight against possible ulcer formation. It also reduced the number of H. pylori — a bacteria behind stomach ulcers. Antioxidative properties of astaxanthin are also great for your skin.

When applied topically, the phytochemical also promotes young-looking, healthy skin. As you might already know, exposure to UV sun rays can be quite harmful to your skin.

Typically, UVA and UVB damage can be reduced using collagen regurgitation and skin thickening regimens. This helps against UV-induced skin damage and photoaging process the skin signs that we often associate with the aging process. More importantly, a comprehensive study conducted in confirmed that combining oral and topical use of astaxanthin can play a big role in reducing age spots, smoothing wrinkles and helping restore skin moisture.

Even better, this anti-aging and skin-promoting results were seen in both female and male subjects. Of course, more conclusive and further studies need to be done to establish the relationship between improved skin health and astaxanthin use.

This particular study indicated that astaxanthin can not only boost the appearance and health of the skin but can also inhibit the onset of skin cancer. Bacterial inflammation is responsible for a myriad of common ailments and some chronic conditions. These include:. The list goes on and on.