The Unique Health Benefits of Haematococcus Pluvialis Extract Astaxanthin

Astaxanthin is a bright, dark red carotenoid pigment found primarily in marine organisms. There are over 400 different members of the carotenoid pigment family found in nature. Carotenoids can be converted into vitamin A, thus optimizing human health. For example, beta-carotene, the pigment that turns carrots orange, has an extremely high vitamin A value and has long been considered an extremely important carotenoid. However, some carotenoids currently known to be extremely important to human health are not converted into vitamin A at all.

Among all non-vitamin A-converting carotenoids, astaxanthin is known as the "crowned leader." This reputation is due to Astaxanthin's unique benefits and effects in promoting health and preventing cell damage, particularly in the brain and vascular system.

An organism with extremely high astaxanthin concentrations is a microalgae called Haematococcus pluvialis. Salmon, lobster, shrimp, krill and other sea creatures feed on Haematococcus pluvialis, and the algae's strong red pigment causes the flesh or shells of these animals to turn red or pink.

Astaxanthin is vital to the survival of these organisms. For example, the microalgae itself requires astaxanthin to prevent damage during photosynthesis, which converts sunlight into chemical energy. Studies have found that juvenile salmon can die or stunt if they don't get enough astaxanthin. Astaxanthin also provides protection to some animals, making them appear "invisible" in deep water. This is because in deep water, the red part of the long-wavelength spectrum of visible light cannot penetrate the red pigment in their bodies. The red pigment in astaxanthin also plays a role in mating and egg-laying behaviors.

Astaxanthin is also found in salmon, herring roe, or krill oil supplements, but the amount of astaxanthin in these sources is much lower than in Haematococcus pluvialis extract. For example, naturally occurring amounts of astaxanthin in fish oil or krill oil capsules are within 100 micrograms (0.1 mg). While most astaxanthin supplements derived from Haematococcus pluvialis contain 4 to 12 milligrams of astaxanthin per capsule, the amount of astaxanthin in fish oil or krill oil capsules naturally pales in comparison. 

To produce natural astaxanthin, Haematococcus pluvialis can be cultured under ideal conditions that increase astaxanthin production, such as large indoor storage tanks or outdoor glass tube culture bases. These breeding facilities also prevent environmental pollution. Once produced by Haematococcus pluvialis, astaxanthin can be released from the algae's thick cell walls using specialized extraction methods and concentrated.

There are other sources of astaxanthin on the market, but these forms of astaxanthin are either chemically synthesized or produced by genetically modified yeast (Xanthophyllomyces dendrorhous, formerly known as Phaffia rhodozyma). These synthetic forms of astaxanthin are approved as feed additives and are commonly used in fish farms to feed salmon for red meat, but synthetic forms of astaxanthin and natural astaxanthin are structurally different from each other. Synthetic forms of astaxanthin are 20 times less effective as an antioxidant and therefore do not offer the same benefits as natural astaxanthin.

Astaxanthin has antioxidant activity, which may help prevent oxidative damage that contributes to aging, insulin resistance, cardiovascular disease, and neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's disease. The same is true for many other natural antioxidants. But astaxanthin is slightly different from a single antioxidant because astaxanthin plays an additional role in cell protection.

First of all, in terms of general antioxidant effects in protecting cell membranes, astaxanthin can play a greater role than many commonly used antioxidants.

As a Protectant Against Oxidative Damage, Astaxanthin May:

●  6000 times more effective than vitamin C

●  800 times more effective than Coenzyme Q10

●  550 times more effective than green tea polyphenols

●  500 times more effective than vitamin E

●  75 times more effective than alpha-lipoic acid

●  11 times more effective than β-carotene

In Its Free Radical Scavenging Action, Astaxanthin May:

●  65 times more effective than vitamin C

●  54 times more effective than beta-carotene

●  21 times more effective than synthetic astaxanthin

●  18 times more effective than proanthocyanidin oligomers

●  14 times more effective than vitamin E

In addition to its excellent antioxidant activity, astaxanthin also has some special properties that make the antioxidant even more powerful. First and foremost, astaxanthin's size and the unique way it integrates into cell membranes. Astaxanthin is much larger and longer than other common carotenoids. Its size and physical form allow it to fuse with the cell membrane, allowing it to extend across the entire thickness of the cell membrane. This allows astaxanthin to not only protect the inner and outer cell membranes from oxidative damage, but also stabilize the cell membranes.

This cell membrane stabilization is very important for red blood cells (RBCs). As we age, red blood cells become more susceptible to damage from oxidative attacks, which can lead to an impairment in their ability to deliver oxygen to body tissues. Another benefit of astaxanthin includes its ability to significantly optimize blood circulation. In general, the better oxygenation of body tissues, the better the function of individual cells and the entire tissue.

●  Astaxanthin provides broad antioxidant support.

●  Astaxanthin can efficiently cross the blood-brain barrier and blood-eye barrier, thus exerting a protective effect on the brain and eyes.

●  Unlike beta-carotene and many other antioxidants, astaxanthin does not act as a pro-oxidant that damages cell structure or increases free radical activity.

●  Astaxanthin is absorbed by tissues throughout the body, including muscles and skin, providing excellent protection against damage throughout the body.

●  Astaxanthin also has some specific inflammation-reducing effects, making it very effective at protecting brain and blood vessel cells from damage.

●  Astaxanthin effectively protects the cell membrane system of mitochondria (the energy compartment of the cell) and helps promote cellular energy production, thus protecting muscle tissue from damage, especially during exercise.

The above effects were shown in a double-blind study in which 40 male football players were randomly assigned to take 4 mg of astaxanthin or a placebo daily. After 90 days, study results showed that astaxanthin had multiple benefits, including increased levels of salivary secreted IgA, indicating optimized immune function; decreased pro-oxidant and antioxidant balance, indicating significant functional antioxidant activity; and decreased muscle enzyme levels. , showing a protective effect against exercise-induced muscle damage; and a significant attenuation of the systemic inflammatory response, as observed in reduced levels of C-reactive protein, a recognized blood marker of inflammatory response.

Scientific research on astaxanthin includes more than 50 medical and experimental studies. The results of this study suggest that astaxanthin may help:

●  Cardiovascular health. Protects the endothelium of blood vessels, promotes blood flow, and protects LDL cholesterol from oxidation (damage).

●  Eye health. Prevents eye fatigue, helps improve vision and depth perception, and increases blood flow to eye tissue.

●  Brain health. Prevents aging and helps maintain and optimize mental function.

●  Sports related activities. Promotes muscle endurance and athletic performance, enhances muscle energy production during exercise, and prevents muscle damage.

●  Glucometabolic diseases, insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome. Helps optimize antioxidant status and prevent vascular damage.

●  Skin health. Reduces fine lines and wrinkles, optimizes skin elasticity, protects against sun damage, and prevents age spots and hyperpigmentation.

●  Immune health. Protect immune cells from damage and strengthen certain immune functions.

A special property of astaxanthin is its ability to cross the blood-brain barrier as well as the blood-eye barrier, thus protecting the brain and eyes. This effect is unusual for carotene. For example, common carotenes such as beta-carotene and lycopene cannot cross these two barriers. This property of astaxanthin, along with some of its role in protecting brain cells from inflammatory responses, suggests it may be useful in optimizing brain and eye health and protecting the brain from Alzheimer's disease, macular degeneration, and other degenerative brain and The effects of eye diseases are particularly beneficial.

Astaxanthin can also promote the growth of new brain cells and the "plasticity" of the entire brain, which is the brain's ability to respond to different stimuli. These effects of astaxanthin explain why it not only preserves but also optimizes brain function during aging. For example, in a double-blind placebo-controlled medical trial, 96 healthy middle-aged and elderly subjects were randomly selected to take placebo, 6 mg of astaxanthin per day, or 12 mg of astaxanthin per day for 12 weeks. After 12 weeks, the 12 mg astaxanthin group had improved scores on a psychological test series called CogHealth. In the previous learning test, both the 6 mg astaxanthin group and the 12 mg astaxanthin group were optimized.

Numerous medical studies indicate that astaxanthin may protect skin from sun damage and strengthen the skin's barrier function.

Later, astaxanthin also showed significant immune-boosting effects. In a double-blind medical trial of healthy young women with an average age of just over 20 years old, the women were divided into three different groups: a control group that took a placebo, and those who took 2 mg or more per day for 8 weeks. Two healing groups of 8 mg astaxanthin. The results show that even at two different doses, astaxanthin may:

●  Increase the total number of antibody-producing white blood cells (B cells).

●  Amplifies the activity of cells called natural killer cells for their ability to kill viruses and other infecting organisms.

●  Increases the number of T cells responsible for important protection against infection.

●  Reduce C-reactive protein (CRP), a key marker of systemic inflammatory response.

Astaxanthin dosage ranges from 4 to 12 mg per day.

There are no known side effects or prescription interactions at recommended dosage levels.