Astaxanthin - Super Sea Algae
•10 times more effective as an antioxidant than beta-carotene.
•100- 500 times more effective in inhibiting lipid peroxidation as an antioxidant than Vitamin E.
•Greater anti-inflammatory capability than Vitamin E.
• Increases strength and endurance
• Protects cells and mitochondrial membranes from oxidative damage.
• Alleviates symptoms in patients with H.pylori (pre-ulcer indigestion)
• Boosts immune system by increasing the number of antibody-producing cells.
• Prevents the initiation of cancer cells in the tongue, oral cavity, large bowel, bladder, uterus, and breast.
• Inhibits lipid peroxidation that causes plaque formation, thus reducing risk of cardiovascular disease.
• Alleviates stress and may assist in neurodegenerative conditions such as AMD, Alzheimer's, Parkinson’s and ALS.
• Protects the eyes and skin from UV A and B damage by quenching singlet and triplet oxygen.
• Reduces the number of new and abnormal cells in the liver.
Astaxanthin is a powerful, natural, biological antioxidant extracted from the marine micro-algae, Hae-matococcus pluvialis. It is the carotenoid responsible for the pink pigmentation in the flesh of salmon, lobster, krill and other aquatic animals and plants. Carotenoids, like astaxanthin, are also the red, orange and yellow plant pigments that give fruits and vegetables their vivid colors. The carotenoid complex contains Astaxanthin and other carotenoids, primarily; carotene, canthaxanthin and lutein, Omega 3 and Omega 6 essential fatty acids. These natural compounds are important nutrients and protectants for the skin and for whole body health. Astaxanthin also crosses the blood-brain barrier, which makes it available to the eyes, brain and central nervous system. It alleviates oxidative stresses that contribute to ocular and neuro-degenerative diseases, such as glaucoma, macular degeneration or Parkinson’s Disease. It may also destroy H. pylori bacteria. Many carotenoids, such as astaxanthin, act as antioxidants to protect our cells from free radicals. Astaxanthin’s powerful antioxidant properties are related to its unique molecular structure. Astaxanthin has polar end groups that allow it to span across the cell membrane’s bilayer. This means astaxanthin is available to work near the fat/water interface where free radical attack first occurs.
Human Benefits of Astaxanthin
Astaxanthin will increase strength and endurance, alleviate symptoms in patients with H. pylori (pre-ulcer indigestion) and protect cells and mitochondrial membranes from oxidative damage. Astaxanthin boosts the immune system by increasing the number of antibody-producing cells, prevents the initiation of cancer cells in the tongue, oral cavity, large bowel, bladder, uterus, and breast. It inhibits lipid peroxidation that causes plaque formation, thus reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease. Astaxanthin alleviates stress and may assist in neuro-degenerative conditions such as AMD, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and ALS. Astaxanthin protects the eyes and skin from UVA and UVB damage by quenching singlet and triplet oxygen. It reduces the number of new and abnormal cells in the liver.
Unique Mechanisms of Astaxanthin Action
Astaxanthin spans the cell membrane bilayer (fat/water) because of its polar end groups attached near the fat/water surface where free radical attack first occurs. Astaxanthin crosses the blood brain barrier, 1 of only 4 antioxidants known to do that. It inhibits the destruction of the fatty acids and proteins in the cell membrane and the mitochondrial membranes in the cells caused by peroxidation of fats. It stabilizes free radicals by adding them to its structure (long double-bonded chain) rather than donating an atom or electron. It is more resistant to chain reactions that can occur when fatty acids are oxidized, thus allowing it to scavenge or quench longer than an antioxidant who cannot stop this chain reaction. Astaxanthin neutralizes singlet and triplet oxygen by de-charging them and traps more types of radicals (alkoxyl, hydroxyl, peroxyl and singlet and triplet oxygen) because it binds to a lipid, (fat) protein. Astaxanthin travels more readily in the body and is more available for use. Spanning the bilayer with its polar end groups Astaxanthin may increase cell membrane rigidity and mechanical strength. Astaxanthin inhibits reactive oxygen species that causes inflammation to the cells, thus anti-inflammatory capabilities. Astaxanthin transports alkoxyl radicals along its long chain (like a bridge) to fat/water interface, where water soluble antioxidants such as Vitamin C can scavenge them.
Astaxanthin Effectiveness and Synergy
Astaxanthin is at least 10 times more effective as an antioxidant than beta-carotene. 100 to 500 times more effective in inhibiting lipid peroxidation as an antioxidant than Vitamin E and has greater anti-inflammatory capability than Vitamin E. It has at least 4 times the antioxidant capacity of lutein and superior protection against UVA light-induced oxidative stress. Astaxanthin is more stable in scavenging and quenching than beta-carotene, canthaxanthin, and zeaxanthin. Astaxanthin is the most potent antioxidant in enhancing T1 helper cells and suppressing interferon-gamma. It is more effective than lycopene, lutein and beta-carotene in immune protection against initiation and promotion of tumors. Astaxanthin enhances the actions of Vitamins C, and E in the body. Astaxanthin enhances the release of retinol (Vitamin A) from the liver when needed.
