Is Astaxanthin The Strongest Antioxidant

Astaxanthin is a ketone or carotenoid, pink in color, fat-soluble, insoluble in water, and soluble in organic solvents. Natural astaxanthin mainly exists in algae, yeast, salmon, trout, shrimp, etc. Astaxanthin from biological sources is safe to use, has environmental friendliness, and has broad development prospects. Astaxanthin is a non-vitamin A source carotenoid that cannot be converted into vitamin A in animals. Astaxanthin is a fat-soluble and water-soluble pigment that exists in shrimp, crab, salmon, algae and other marine organisms. The human body cannot synthesize astaxanthin by itself. It is the strongest antioxidant in nature. Its antioxidant activity is 550 times that of vitamin E and 10 times that of beta-carotene, so it is called the "king of antioxidants"!

How was astaxanthin discovered?

According to legend, the French explorers in the 19th century came to Lake Brador on Cape Breton Island during their expedition to Nova Scotia, Canada. Under such harsh conditions, no creature could survive. But what surprised the expedition scientists was that a small red worm lives in such a biologically extinct lake. What is the magical power that allows this little bug to survive in such harsh conditions? This has piqued the interest of expedition scientists.

Subsequently, scientists conducted in-depth research on this magical little bug and found a natural antioxidant astaxanthin that the human body cannot synthesize by itself. It is astaxanthin that protects the little bug and allows it to survive.

We all know that shrimp and crabs are green when they are fresh, and their shells turn red when they are cooked. These red substances are astaxanthin. However, in shrimp, crab, salmon and other marine organisms, the content of astaxanthin in their bodies is very low, and most of them are used by themselves, which is difficult for humans to absorb. Later, scientists finally discovered a better source of astaxanthin, which is Haematococcus pluvialis. This is an ancient microalgae. The astaxanthin content of this Haematococcus is 1.5%~5%, which is considered to be the natural source of astaxanthin with high content.

What are the main health benefits of astaxanthin?

1. Protective effects of eye and central nervous system

The human retina and central nervous system (brain) are rich in unsaturated fatty acids, therefore, free radicals generated by oxidation are prone to peroxidative damage. Studies have shown that astaxanthin can easily pass through the blood-brain barrier and cell membrane, can effectively prevent retinal oxidation and photoreceptor cell damage, as well as protect the central nervous system, especially the brain, so as to effectively replenish ischemia-regeneration. Perfusion injury, spinal cord injury, Parkinson's syndrome, Alzheimer's syndrome and other central nervous system injuries. In particular, the effect of macular degeneration is more significant than that of lutein.

2. Inhibits diabetic nephropathy

70% of diabetics will develop nephropathy within 5 years. Astaxanthin is the only substance found so far that can effectively prevent diabetic nephropathy. Astaxanthin is mainly by directly protecting the glomerular basement membrane and preventing the production of high blood sugar. In addition, it can also fight against the free radicals of renal tubular epithelial cells, protect the normal transport of glucose and phosphorus in renal tubular cells, thus preserve important substances such as ATP and sodium-potassium ATPase, and ensure renal blood flow. The flow is not affected and the production of proteinuria is reduced. In order to avoid the occurrence of urine bubble events, diabetic patients must start using natural astaxanthin in advance. Research has confirmed that 8 mg of astaxanthin can significantly reduce urinary protein by 70% within 8 weeks.

3. Prevent cardiovascular disease

Clinical studies on arteriosclerosis and related cardiovascular diseases have shown that oxidation of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is an important cause of arteriosclerosis. The higher the concentration of LDL in the human body, and the thinning of blood vessels by platelet deposition that hinders blood flow, the greater the risk of arteriosclerosis. The high-density lipoprotein (HDL) in the blood has the opposite effect, it can prevent the occurrence of arteriosclerosis. In vitro and clinical trials have shown that oral administration of 3.6 mg/d of astaxanthin per person for 2 consecutive weeks can prevent the oxidation of LDL. Unlike general LDL-lowering drugs, after taking 1.8, 3.6, 14.4 and 21.6 mg of astaxanthin daily for 2 consecutive weeks, the time of LDL oxidation was prolonged by 5.0%, 26.2%, 42.3% and 30.7%, respectively; thus preventing arterial The occurrence of atherosclerosis.

4. Protection against UV radiation

It is well known that UV radiation is an important cause of epidermal photoaging and skin cancer. Studies have shown that astaxanthin has a special effect on transglutaminase, which can consume putrescine when the skin is exposed to light. Oral astaxanthin has a stronger inhibitory effect on putrescine accumulation than oral vitamin A. Therefore, the strong antioxidant properties of astaxanthin may make it a potential photoprotectant to effectively scavenge free radicals that cause skin aging, protect cell membranes and mitochondrial membranes from oxidative damage, and be used to prevent skin photoaging.