Astaxanthin is becoming a revolutionary ingredient in the healthcare industry for its efforts to treat diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, strokes, and high cholesterol just to name a few.More than 1000 healthcare and peer-reviewed publications and journals have explored the benefits of astaxanthin over the last year, and thousands of popular websites such as Ebay and Amazon have now jumped on the bandwagon and are listing products including the ingredient.So what exactly is astaxanthin?Astaxanthin belongs to the nutrient group carotenoids - which simply means any fat-soluble pigment that gives color to plants and/or other living organisms. It is a reddish pigment that naturally occurs in some algae, which is what causes the reddish/pink color in seafood such as salmon, lobster, and trout.According to Healthcare Weekly, astaxanthin is well known for being one of the most powerful antioxidants in nature because it will not turn into a pro-oxidant. This means the ingredient will not oxidize in the body, which can be harmful and cancel out any health benefits.What health benefits does it carry?It would be easier to write what astaxanthin claims to not cure than to list everything it does. Documented health benefits range from the treatment of Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease to the reduced risk of a heart attack and cardiovascular diseases.Astaxanthin has also shown signs of reducing the effects of diabetes on the body, modulating the body’s immune system, protecting the stomach lining from H. pylori and ulcers, helping to protect against UV damage, protecting the eyes from bacterial inflammation, helping with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and even inhibiting cancer cell growth.Astaxanthin and heart healthAccording to a study by Martin Guerin, Mark E. Huntley and Miguel Olaizola, high blood levels of LDL-cholesterol (the ‘bad’ cholesterol) are linked with an increased risk of atherosclerosis, the disease of the arteries characterized by the deposition of fatty material.However, HDL blood levels are inversely correlated with coronary heart disease and are indicative of protection against atherosclerosis.Usually, LDL in plasma is not oxidized, so if it was to oxidize, it is believed to contribute to the development of atherosclerosis.This means that by taking an antioxidant and regularly introducing it into your diet, it may be possible to reduce the risk of atherosclerosis developing.Data collected over the years does back that taking astaxanthin could help to reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular disease.An in vitro study backed this, with human subjects taking daily doses of astaxanthin as low as 3.6 mg each day for two consecutive weeks. The study concluded that astaxanthin protects LDL-cholesterol against induced in vitro oxidation, which could help humans in their day-to-day life.In an animal study of astaxanthin supplementation, ingesting the ingredient led to an increase in blood levels of HDL, the blood form of which cholesterol is inversely correlated with coronary heart disease.This indicates that the ingredient could help to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease by modifying both the levels HDL and LDL in the body.A ‘Potential Therapeutic Agent’A study published by the US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health has claimed that astaxanthin is a ‘potential therapeutic agent in cardiovascular disease’. The study states that oxidative stress and inflammation are known to be non-traditional risk factors linked with cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.However, taking a dietary antioxidant can reduce the oxidation of lipids and proteins in the body and therefore have the potential to protect from symptoms associated with heart disease, such as arterial stiffening.Scientific studiesThe same study then went on the publish the findings of scientific experiments carried out with the wonder ingredient. First up, a dog with occlusive carotid artery thrombus was set on a diet supplemented with astaxanthin for three weeks. Following the experimental period, vets recorded the reduced incidence of secondary thrombosis and found that it was able to exercise and generate muscle easier. The astaxanthin had also accumulated in both the cardiac and gastrocnemius muscle.Similar tests were then carried out on mice, rats, and other canines, with all showing either ease with exercise or improved blood flow to the heart.A human umbilical vein set on a regular dose for 14 days showed an increased release of nitric oxide and decreased peroxynitrite levels, which aids the flow of oxygen through the body.Has astaxanthin worked for humans with cardiovascular disease?As of right now, no cardiovascular outcome studies have been reported with humans, but there have been various studies to support the ingredient for treating other health issues.For these experiments to be carried out on a human, the person has to go through a health check.This assesses bioavailability, safety and oxidative stress, which can all link to the cardiovascular system. Studies have also been conducted to explore other medical conditions such as reflux oesophagitis, where measurements of oxidative stress and/or inflammation were included.Sounds worth a shot - how do I incorporate it into my diet?There are limited food sources that contain a high enough dosage of astaxanthin, so you’ll need to base a lot of your diet around seafood to eat enough of the ingredient in its natural form. One ounce of wild sockeye salmon contains 1mg of astaxanthin, which is a lot higher than the average, shop bought salmon.So, if you’re going to go salmon shopping, check for the quality of the fish and where it was farmed, rather than the size and the color.However, the ingredient is also available in the form of supplements which are bound to be much easier on your stomach and your wallet.This article is contributed by Julian Gnatenco @ JGBilling
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