Top 9 Health Benefits of Astaxanthin
Fights Osteoarthritis
Our joints rely on the balance between building new cartilage cells when the current ones begin to deteriorate. As we age, this balance shifts to where we aren’t able to keep up with rebuilding new cells when the old ones die off.
Osteoarthritis occurs when there aren’t enough new cells to replace the ones that are being degraded, and so our joints become stiff, painful, and inflamed.
Studies have shown that astaxanthin can not only help maintain the balance between new and deteriorating cartilage cells, but it may also reduce inflammation in joints plagued by arthritis and in some cases, stop cartilage cells from deteriorating at all.
Astaxanthin may slow osteoarthritis progression and address symptoms, giving you a better quality of life as you age.
Combats UV-Induced Skin Aging
One of the main benefits that astaxanthin has is its ability to protect cells from sun radiation, UV-light, and oxidation. It’s the exact reason why algae produce astaxanthin.
UV-rays cause skin deterioration and for accelerating the aging process. Consuming astaxanthin — orally or via skin application — may stall the aging process and protect against UV-induced skin aging.
A 2018 study looked at moisture retention after UV exposure in subjects who were given 4mgs of astaxanthin versus those who were given a placebo. Results indicated that there was a significant difference between the two groups and that those who took astaxanthin showed marked moisture retention and less damage to their skin after the equivalent of 1.5 hours in the sun.
In short, astaxanthin is one of nature’s “superstars” for helping you look younger longer.
May Help Retain Cognitive Function in Early-Stage Dementia & Alzheimer’s
Astaxanthin supplementation may help folks dealing with the mild cognitive impairments characteristic of early-stage dementia and Alsheimer’s.
Research has shown that oxidative stress may play a part in the progression of cognitive impairments, and supplementing with antioxidants may help since our oxidative capacities change as we age.
In a 2018 study, researchers performed a clinical trial looking at the effects of astaxanthin on subjects with mild-cognitive function early-stage dementia. Results concluded that there were significant improvements in cognitive functions related to the ability to understand and complete complex tasks quickly and accurately.
Combats Mental Fatigue
Brain exhaustion… feeling drained… having a foggy brain…
Mental fatigue goes by many names, and it can put a serious damper on productivity, relationships, and overall quality of life.
A recent study showed that astaxanthin may help people recover more quickly from mental fatigue.
Reverses the Appearance of Wrinkles & Crow’s Feet
Not only can astaxanthin help you prevent damage from UV rays, it may also reverse signs of aging such as wrinkles, crow’s feet, and age spots.
Several studies showed that both oral consumption and topical application of astaxanthin resulted in significant improvements in the appearance of wrinkles and crow’s feet in men and women over 8 weeks.
Improvements in terms of reducing the appearance of age spots and helping the skin retain more moisture were also observed.
Helps Manage Diabetes
Astaxanthin may help people with type-2 diabetes lower blood pressure and improve the metabolism of sugar. In a 2018 study, researchers found that patients increased their HDL cholesterol (that’s the good one!), reduced blood pressure, and actually improved the metabolism of sugars.
Combats Menopause Symptoms
Menopause comes with a range of symptoms that can include hot flashes, depression, anxiety, panic attacks, mood swings, incontinence, bloating, and joint pain.
A 2010 study took a group of menopausal women and treated them with a combination of vitamins and supplements that included astaxanthin. They found that the women reported a significant reduction in 34 menopausal symptoms, including hot flashes, mood swings, bladder problems, and joint pain.
Many of these symptoms, such as hot flashes, are often associated with high levels of cortisol and oxidative stress. By adding the “king of carotenoids,” astaxanthin, to your supplemental routine, you can address the amount of oxidative stress that your body is dealing with, helping to mitigate the symptoms frequently connected with menopause.
May Reduce Risk of Heart Disease
Heart disease is the number one cause of death in the United States. Excessive LDL cholesterol, high blood pressure, and oxidative stress can all lead to a heart disease diagnosis.
Astaxanthin studies have shown that it may reduce levels of LDL cholesterol in overweight patients, as well as improve HDL levels after 12 weeks of supplementation.
In 2006, a study revealed that astaxanthin may improve the thickness and elasticity of the walls of the arteries. This can help regulate blood pressure and, by strengthening the arterial walls, prevent hypertension-induced heart failure.
In another study back in 2000, researchers found that after two weeks of supplementing with astaxanthin, subjects showed reduced blood oxidation and improved clotting time.
May Activate the Longevity Gene FOXO3
FOXO3 is among the few genes associated with human longevity that have been consistently replicated.
In other words, when activated in the body, FOXO3 may help you live longer. By some estimates, though, only one in three humans actually have this gene activated in their bodies.
So, here is perhaps the most exciting news of all…
Astaxanthin has shown its ability to activate FOXO3 in mice, and while research for further confirmation in human clinical trials is still ongoing, the potential is very promising.
“All of us have the FOXO3 gene, which protects against aging in humans,” said Dr. Bradley Willcox, MD, Professor and Director of Research at the Department of Geriatric Medicine, JABSOM, and Principal Investigator of the National Institutes of Health-funded Kuakini Hawaii Lifespan and Healthspan Studies. “But about one in three persons carry a version of the FOXO3 gene that is associated with longevity. By activating the FOXO3 gene common in all humans, we can make it act like the “longevity” version. Through this research, we have shown that Astaxanthin “activates” the FOXO3 gene,” said Willcox.
“We found a nearly 90% increase in the activation of the FOXO3 “Longevity Gene” in the mice fed the higher dose of the Astaxanthin compound CDX-085,” added Dr. Richard Allsopp, PhD, Associate Professor, and researcher with the JABSOM Institute of Biogenesis Research.
Very promising indeed!
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