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Astaxanthin’s antioxidant properties are significantly stronger than those of other carotenoids. Carotenoids are fat-soluble pigmented substances which impart color to plants. For example, beta-carotene (the pro-vitamin to Vitamin A) is known for giving carrots their orange color.
In general, carotenoids are known as strong antioxidant compounds. Astaxanthin has a unique structure compared to other known carotenoids and is considered to be more stable.
Astaxanthin is a special type of carotenoid called a xanthophyll. Xanthophylls demonstrate the highest levels of antioxidant activities amongst more than 600 known carotenoids. Furthermore, Astaxanthin demonstrates the highest levels of antioxidant activity amongst other known xanthophylls.
What are the benefits of taking astaxanthin as an anti-oxidant supplement and how does it work? In general, anti-oxidants are taken to combat signs of aging, promote general health and to reduce risk factors for a number of diseases, including cancer. This article will review the uses of natural astaxanthin, effects, side effects and recommendations for use.
Anti- Oxidant
Heart Health
Anti- Aging- Antioxidant and immune booster
- Supports cardiovascular health
- Shown to improve cholesterol levels
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Astaxanthin has been touted as “One of the Most Powerful Antioxidants Ever Discovered” by Dr. Mercola and other health experts. Antioxidants help to prevent oxidative damage caused by reactive free radical particles.
Oxidation is best visualized by imagining the rust build-up on a car; as the car ages, oxygen begins to degrade the exterior surfaces of the car. Free radical particles steal electrons from the stable molecules that make up the car’s metallic surface.
As these electrons are stolen, it destabilizes the molecules and starts a cascade of damage that we see as the visible accumulation of rust on the car. This same type of damage is happening in the body and it leads to signs of aging.
Anti-oxidants like Astaxanthin work to prevent this free radical damage by neutralizing Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS). Taking an oral astaxanthin supplement may be able to reduce some of the damage caused by oxidation, thereby supporting general health and wellness.
Why Does Astaxanthin Work as an Antioxidant?
The primary difference between xanthophylls like astaxanthin and other carotenoids is oxygen. Xanthophylls possess oxygen atoms; other carotenoids do not.
Non-xanthophyll carotenoids are hydrocarbons which are voided of O2. Structural bridges called epoxides cause xanthophylls to be more polar than non-oxygenated carotenoids. This increased polarity chromatographically separates xanthophylls from other carotenoids.
Like all carotenoids, astaxanthin is a pigment which is soluble in lipids. Astaxanthin is a deep-red pigment which is biosynthesized only in select algaes, bacteria and yeast. Its most prevalent natural source is Haematococcus pluvialis; a green microalgae. It is also found in krill (shrimp), which is why Krill Oil is red.
Certain marine organisms feed on H. pluvialis, leading to accumulations in their bodies. Astaxanthin is the substance which causes shrimp, lobster and certain other seafood to turn pink/red while being cooked. It is also responsible for the pink-orange color of salmon muscle and flamingo feathers.
Astaxanthin’s antioxidant effects help to inhibit and repair the damages caused by free radicals and other oxidizing agents. Some examples of these include superoxide, toxic food additives, certain pharmaceutical/illicit drugs and numerous environmental poisons.
The color of astaxanthin (and other pigments) is caused by a long chain of chemical bonds located in the central region of the compound. This extensive chain of conjugated double bonds is able to stabilize free radicals.
The radical agents are actually assimilated into the structure of astaxanthin. This differs from various other antioxidants which only act to donate free electrons to neutralize the radicals.
Superoxide is the most prevalent free radical found in nature. It contains an oxygen radical denoted O2-; a highly toxic ionic substance. Superoxide is responsible for cellular attacks and biological oxidation in the body. Astaxanthin antioxidant effects include scavenging radical agents like superoxide and neutralizing their ionic charges.
The unique molecular structure of astaxanthin causes its superior antioxidant strengths. However, astaxanthin is also known to function via several other therapeutic mechanisms. It protects the cells, strengthens immunity, reduces chronic inflammation and generally inhibits degenerative disease.
Astaxanthin Effects
Astaxanthin is able to make its way across the blood brain barrier (BBB) and the blood retina barrier (BRB). Others carotenoids, including beta-carotene and lycopene, cannot.
Its ability to cross the BBB and BRB make it so that astaxanthin is directly available to protect inner-brain neurons and enhance eye health.
Astaxanthin antioxidant effects help to impede the peroxidation of lipids. Astaxanthin is soluble in fats (lipids). This means that it is able to cross both layers of cell membrane bilayers.
It inhibits oxidative damage to the cell membranes of certain proteins and fatty acids. It protects the structural integrity of cells and their mitochondria and may help to upregulate energy production.
In addition to astaxanthin’s effects as an anti-oxidant, it is also known for its strong anti-inflammatory effects.
Low-grade, systemic inflammation is correlated with almost all conditions and diseases. Natural astaxanthin regulates the activities of various inflammatory mediators to reduce this adverse type of inflammation.
Numerous clinical trials have reported the antioxidant effects of astaxanthin against oxidative stress and free radical damage. In laboratory studies, astaxanthin has been shown to possess greater antioxidant capacities than more well-known antioxidants like beta-carotene, lycopene, lutein, vitamin C and vitamin E.
In human trials, supplementing the daily diet with astaxanthin caused reductions to DNA damage. Oxidative damage to human lymphocytes was decreased in in-vitro trials. In lab research, astaxanthin was shown to inhibit macrophage activation by suppressing MMP (matrix metalloproteinase) activation and expression.
Astaxanthin Uses
According to the Natural Medicines database, astaxanthin is currently used for the following conditions:
- Cancer;
- Neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s;
- Hypercholesterolemia (high cholesterol levels);
- Stroke;
- Age-related macular degeneration;
There are various other uses for astaxanthin, although most have not been validated via human research.
People also use astaxanthin antioxidant supplements to help prevent and/or treat bone/joint pains from arthritis, certain markers of male infertility, menopause symptoms, carpal tunnel syndrome, exercise-induced muscle soreness, autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and certain dermatologic conditions.
Synthetic Vs. Natural Astaxanthin
Natural astaxanthin is biosynthesized primarily from a green microalgae called Haematococcus pluvialis. Certain other algae, a few bacteria and a certain type of yeast also can produce astaxanthin.
Other sources include certain creatures which consume the organisms which biosynthesize it. Some of these include shrimp, krill, lobster, crayfish, rainbow trout, salmon and quail.
Natural astaxanthin has been categorized as a GRAS (generally regarded as safe) food by the US FDA.
Lab-made astaxanthin has only been approved in the US as a food colorant and additive. It is manufactured using certain petrochemicals. Synthetic astaxanthin is used primarily in very large aquaculture operations. Only natural astaxanthin has been tested and shown to possess the strong therapeutic properties associated.
Conclusions
Astaxanthin’s antioxidant effects are much stronger than those of other carotenoids. It also offers anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antidiabetic, cardioprotective and other benefits.
By reducing free radical damage, oxidative stress and chronic inflammation, astaxanthin shows promise as an agent which can be used against many adverse health conditions and diseases.
Talk with your doctor or naturopath to learn more about the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits of astaxanthin. Let him or her know about any medical conditions you have been diagnosed with in the past, and about any pharmaceuticals you may be taking. Natural astaxanthin is known to be quite safe for the majority of users.
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Article last updated on: March 13th, 2018 by Nootriment