1
5
1
Sales of astaxanthin in the UK have increased considerably in recent years as interest in the anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of this natural carotenoid grows.
Astaxanthin is a pigment produced mainly by the Haematococcus pluvialis microalgae. It has been clinically shown to possess multiple therapeutic potentials, especially for fighting oxidative damage caused by free radical particles.
Consumers in the UK have begun using this supplement to improve skin appearance, promote cognitive health, support vision health and for its purported benefits for energy and athlethic performance.
Astaxanthin products are sometimes recommended for age-related macular degeneration, cancer, stroke, high cholesterol and neurodegenerative disorders like Parkinson’s disease.
Astaxanthin is also used in the UK by alternative healthcare practitioners to manage symptoms associated with type 2 diabetes, obesity, muscle soreness, arthritis, male infertility, menopause and more.
Anti- Oxidant
Heart Health
Anti- Aging- Antioxidant and immune booster
- Supports cardiovascular health
- Shown to improve cholesterol levels
Top Astaxanthin Products* ❯Astaxanthin’s Antioxidant Mechanism
Related Topics
Natural astaxanthin is a xanthophyll; an oxygen-containing carotenoid. All carotenoids are known for their antioxidant properties. Xanthophylls are structurally-unique carotenoids which are known to possess greater antioxidant strengths than non-xanthophyll carotenoids.
Of all known xanthophyll carotenoids, natural astaxanthin demonstrates the strongest antioxidant effects. It is widely believed to be the most potent antioxidant substance found in nature.
Antioxidants like astaxanthin, beta-carotene, lutein, lycopene, vitamin C and vitamin E work to fight against the cellular destruction induced by radical agents.
Free radicals, singlet oxygen, triplet oxygen and various other damaging molecules constantly attack our cells. Without antioxidant protection, over time, we begin to show increased signs of aging. This can increase risk factors for system disease or for damage to specific organs.
Free radical damage and oxidative stress are associated with the onset of many diseases and adverse health conditions. Oxidative stress is also known to play a role in inflammatory, ischemic, respiratory, autoimmune, neurological, skeletal and gastrointestinal conditions.
Astaxanthin supplements can help to inhibit and repair the damages incurred by free radicals and other oxidizing substances. Oxidative stress results when free radicals overwhelm the body’s capacities to absorb their attacks. Non-pharmaceutical, non-toxic substances like natural astaxanthin are in high demand in the UK because they neutralize radical agents.
Astaxanthin’s Anti-inflammatory Mechanism
Inflammation is an important process for maintaining to health and well-being. When biological trauma occurs, temporary inflammation results as a primary survival mechanism. It causes localized swelling, pain, redness and other symptoms which are markers of natural healing.
Chronic, low-grade inflammation is not the same. When cells throughout the body die off, they induce inflammatory responses. This results in localized excesses of blood supply, leakage of proteins in plasma and excessive leukocytic activity.
Over time, these factors can cause damage to cells, tissues and organs. In these manners, chronic inflammation contributes to the pathogenesis of numerous diseases.
People use astaxanthin in the UK to improve mitochondrial dysfunction, lower blood-glucose levels, decrease uric acid crystal formation and inhibit the oxidation of lipids. In doing so, they limit the level of inflammatory responses resulting from the above mentioned causes.
Other factors which contribute to low-grade, chronic inflammation include obesity, aging, poor diet standards, lack of exercise, inadequate stress management and poor hydration. By reducing low-grade systemic inflammation, astaxanthin may help to inhibit and/or treat a variety of ailments and diseases.
Astaxanthin vs. NSAIDs
In many cases, people diagnosed with chronic inflammatory conditions are prescribed NSAIDs (non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs). These include Vioxx, Celebrex, aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen and others.
These drugs modulate certain inflammatory mediators inside the body. Some of these mediators of inflammation include TNF (tumor necrosis factor), cyclooxygenase, mast cells, platelets and basophils.
Astaxanthin use regulates many of these inflammation mediators effectively. It may not work as quickly as these pharmaceutical options do, however some natural product consumers prefer this option as there have been no serious side effects associated with properly using natural astaxanthin.
Aspirin may cause stomach bleeding. Tylenol can cause hepatic (liver) damage. Celebrex and Vioxx are known to increase the risks for certain heart problems. According to the New England Journal of Medicine, Vioxx alone has caused more than sixty thousand deaths. It is estimated that NSAIDs as a whole have caused more human deaths than AIDS.
Natural astaxanthin usage affects inflammation mediators more slowly than NSAID agents. However, NSAIDs target just one or two inflammation mediators.
Natural astaxanthin affects multiple inflammatory mediators simultaneously. It also works in the majority of users with no adverse effects.
Buy Astaxanthin in the UK
Astaxanthin can be purchased in softgel, capsule or tablet format from a number of supplement retailers in the UK and in Europe. In the UK, Astaxanthin is regulated as a Food Supplement by the Department of Health because it is found naturally in the diet from the consumption of seafood and salmon.
Supplements are defined as a “concentrated source of a vitamin, mineral or other substance with a nutritional or physiological effect, alone, or in combination, sold in dose form.” In the UK, supplements like astaxanthin can be purchased without a prescription, however, it is still recommended to check with a doctor before taking any supplement.
Use of natural astaxanthin supplements in the UK continues to gain popularity. In addition to its potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, it also demonstrates multiple other medicinal properties and effects.
In-vitro studies, as well as numerous animal and some human trials, have shown natural astaxanthin to possess certain antidiabetic, antiobesity, cardioprotective, antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, antiasthma and other therapeutic potentials.
Not enough evidence from well-organized human trials exists currently to determine standardized uses. Talk with your doctor about the safety and possible benefits of natural astaxanthin.
- Kenneth L. Rock and Hajime Kono The inflammatory response to cell death Annu Rev Pathol. 2008; 3: 99–126.
- V. Lobo, A. Patil, A. Pathak, and N. Chandra Free radicals, antioxidants and functional foods: Impact on human health Journal List Pharmacogn Rev.4(8); Jul-Dec 2010PMC3249911
- Wu H1, Niu H2, Shao A3, Wu C4, Dixon BJ5, Zhang J6, Yang S7, Wang Y8. Astaxanthin as a Potential Neuroprotective Agent for Neurological Diseases. Mar Drugs. 2015 Sep 11;13(9):5750-66. doi: 10.3390/md13095750.
- Paiva SA1, Russell RM. Beta-carotene and other carotenoids as antioxidants. J Am Coll Nutr. 1999 Oct;18(5):426-33.
- Sies H1, Stahl W. Vitamins E and C, beta-carotene, and other carotenoids as antioxidants. Am J Clin Nutr. 1995 Dec;62(6 Suppl):1315S-1321S.
- Lin KH1,2, Lin KC3,4, Lu WJ5, Thomas PA6, Jayakumar T7, Sheu JR8. Astaxanthin, a Carotenoid, Stimulates Immune Responses by Enhancing IFN-? and IL-2 Secretion in Primary Cultured Lymphocytes in Vitro and ex Vivo. Int J Mol Sci. 2015 Dec 29;17(1). pii: E44. doi: 10.3390/ijms17010044.
- Yeh PT1,2, Huang HW3, Yang CM1,4, Yang WS5,6, Yang CH1,4. Astaxanthin Inhibits Expression of Retinal Oxidative Stress and Inflammatory Mediators in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats. PLoS One. 2016 Jan 14;11(1):e0146438. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0146438.
- Coombes JS1, Sharman JE2, Fassett RG3. Astaxanthin has no effect on arterial stiffness, oxidative stress, or inflammation in renal transplant recipients: a randomized controlled trial (the XANTHIN trial). Am J Clin Nutr. 2016 Jan;103(1):283-9. doi: 10.3945/ajcn.115.115477. Epub 2015 Dec 16.
- Colmán-Martínez M1, Martínez-Huélamo M2, Miralles E3, Estruch R4, Lamuela-Raventós RM2. A New Method to Simultaneously Quantify the Antioxidants: Carotenes, Xanthophylls, and Vitamin A in Human Plasma. Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2015;2015:9268531. doi: 10.1155/2016/9268531. Epub 2015 Nov 30.
- Ni Y1,2, Nagashimada M1, Zhuge F1, Zhan L1, Nagata N1, Tsutsui A3, Nakanuma Y3, Kaneko S2, Ota T1,2. Astaxanthin prevents and reverses diet-induced insulin resistance and steatohepatitis in mice: A comparison with vitamin E. Sci Rep. 2015 Nov 25;5:17192. doi: 10.1038/step 17192.
Article last updated on: March 13th, 2018 by Nootriment
1 Comment
Hey there desperately searching through a lot of websites , we chose you as we love your stuff have been buying your joint stuff myself but recently suffering from eye problems I have made a group in my area who all suffer we are currently looking for alternative options such as supplements sch as lutein/ astaxanthin and natural ways to improve eye problems , don’t meen too be pushy but is there any chance we could try/test/sample some before making a big purchase thanks alot .look forward to hearing back from you , happy to pay shipping charges ect..