Astaxanthins are powerhouse naturally occurring substances with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Consuming a healthy dosage of astaxanthin daily can help you to improve your overall health and prevent the onset of various diseases and illnesses.
What is Astaxanthin?
A type of carotenoid, astaxanthin is known for its various health benefits in the human body. It is naturally occuring and therefore comes with many health benefits you should be aware of. Astaxanthin is the substance that gives species their red-pinkish colour found in shrimp, flamingos, salmon, and many more.
Astaxanthin is a powerful carotenoid which means it has many beneficial properties. Carotenoids are high in their antioxidant properties and help the body in various different ways. For example, they help protect the body against cellular damage and other chronic diseases. In nature, astaxanthin are a type of xanthophylls which play huge roles in the metabolism of plants.
Astaxanthin are the “king” of carotenoids which means that they provide the most beneficial results for the human body. They are one of the many carotenoids that have been studied the most.
Food Sources of Astaxanthin
Astaxanthin comes from many different types of foods. Natural sources are produced by several micro algae, fungi, and certain bacteria. It also comes from the creatures that consume algae, such as aquatic animals. Some common sources of astaxanthin are the following: shrimp, crab, lobster, salmon, red trout, krill etc. These food sources have very limited amounts of astaxanthin so it is hard to benefit from just the foods alone. With that being said, it is essential to take dietary supplements that individuals can incorporate into their diet. By doing this, the daily requirement that is needed to benefit from astaxanthin can be attained.
Astaxanthin is not produced by humans therefore it must be ingested through the foods we consume or via supplementation. On average, it is recommended 4 to 12 mg of astaxanthin per day to receive the most benefits from it. This, however, can vary from person to person based on their health requirements and health conditions of the individual.
Astaxanthin a fat-soluble ingredient which means that it has to be consumed with healthy fats. Some examples of healthy fats include fatty fish, avocado oils, and olive oils. By doing this, the astaxanthin can be easily absorbed in order to reap the benefits.
Why You Should be Taking Astaxanthin
Astaxanthin has many health benefits and it should be incorporated by everyone in their diets. Astaxanthin is a powerful antioxidant and an anti-inflammatory compound that is at least 1000 times more powerful than Vitamin C.
Below are the top 10 reasons why you should be taking astaxanthin…
- Astaxanthin supports heart health
Astaxanthin is rich in antioxidant properties which helps the body to maintain normal blood levels, LDL and HDL levels. In turn, the blood fat levels stay in a normal range which helps to improve blood flow and reduce the fatty acids found in the blood.
- Astaxanthin helps fight inflammation
Astaxanthin has strong anti-inflammatory properties which inhibit the activity of compounds that create inflammation in the body. Astaxanthin is able to target high-stress areas that cause inflammation, such as the heart and the brain. If there are high levels of inflammation in the body, it is known to fuel other conditions such as heart disease. By incorporating astaxanthin into their diet, it can help to prevent such diseases.
- Astaxanthin reduces oxidative stress
If there are any sorts of imbalances in the body, it can create oxidative stress in the body, leading to the creation of free radicals that can cause negative effects in the body. By consuming a diet that is high in antioxidants, it can prevent stress and inflammation in the body and astaxanthin is a great supplement that can help prevent it. In addition, astaxanthin has been shown to lower oxidative stress in obese individuals and smokers.
- Astaxanthin improves eye vision
Astaxanthin is known to help prevent common eyes diseases, such as glaucoma, a condition that of increased pressure that can lead to eye blindness. Astaxanthin protects the eyes from light-induced damage that can help reduce eye dryness, blurred vision, and tiredness. Several clinical trials have shown that astaxanthin also helps with diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, and fatigue in the eyes.
- Astaxanthin helps to promote healthy skin
With enough oral doses of astaxanthin it can help smooth wrinkles and retain the moisture on the skin. Astaxanthin also helps to preserve elasticity which is an important factor in keeping the skin looking smooth. Therefore, a diet rich in astaxanthin can improve fine lines and keep the skin looking young.
- Astaxanthin protects the brain
Astaxanthin has the potential to slow cognitive decline that results from natural brain aging and protects the cells from damage from various toxins. This in turn helps to improve the flow of the blood in the brain and helps improve memory.
- Astaxanthin promotes joint health
Due to its high anti-inflammatory properties, astaxanthin can reduce and symptoms linked with conditions, such as arthritis. Anti-inflammatory substances slow down the damage that is caused by free radicals which is a major component to improving the health of the joints.
- Astaxanthin helps to improve muscle performance
Since astaxanthin has the ability to promote the use of fatty acids in the body, it helps with endurance and prevents muscle and skeletal damage. Astaxanthin can boost muscle performance which leads to better overall health.
- Astaxanthin lowers risk for diabetes
As we know, astaxanthin is a substance that is filled with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. These properties are essential in reducing high blood sugar levels in the body which often indicate diabetes. Therefore, consuming foods or supplements with astaxanthin, it can improve the sugar metabolism in the body that help to prevent or reduce the risks for diabetes.
- Astaxanthin helps fight fatigue
With improved recovery levels, astaxanthin is indicated to help improve energy levels. It also improves sugar metabolism which can overall help to fight fatigue.
The Bottom Line
Overall, consuming healthy levels of astaxanthin helps to support the body because of its high antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. So make sure to consume the recommended amount of astaxanthin daily to reap its amazing benefits!
