Astaxanthin is an amazing antioxidant because of its unique ability to destory multiple free radicals at once. Although it is closely related to beta-carotene, lutein, and canthaxanthin, it has a unique structure and works in some unique ways. For example, most other antioxidants are depleted after transferring their free electrons and reducing free radical damage. But astaxanthin has a massive surplus of free electrons, allowing it to remain in constant battle against free radical damage. Astaxanthin does this by donating electrons to neutralize free radicals, and then ejects the excess energy as heat. Astaxanthin, remains intact — there are no chemical reactions to break it down, which is what occurs in most other antioxidants.

Most antioxidants can only handle one free radical at a time. But astaxanthin can handle multiple free radicals simultaneously – in some cases more than 19 at the same time. Because of this, astaxanthin is now believed to be the most beneficial antioxidant known to man. It has numerous benefits, including:

1. Skin Health

2. Anti-Inflammatory

3. Dementia, Alzheimers and Macular Degeneration

4. Cardiovascular Health

5. Endurance

6. Cancer

1. Skin Health – Billions of dollars per year are spent on topical skin lotion to prevent sun damage or decrease wrinkles and aging, or to improve cosmetic appearance. However, these products prevent our bodies from receiving valuable nutrient, such as Vitamin D, from the sun.

Astaxanthin doesn’t prevent your skin from absorbing vitamin D. It simply protects your skin against damage and burning from the free radical damage of the UV rays. Furthermore, Clinical trials have proven that Astaxanthin also improves the hydration and eleasticity of our skin, which reduces wrinkles and the appearance of spots and blemishes caused by free radical damage.

2. Anti-Inflammatory – Astaxanthin has shown the ability to have a significant impact on joint inflammation, such as Rheumatoid arthritis, in numerous clinical trials.

3. Dementia, Alzheimers and Macular degeneration – Astaxanthin can also cross the blood-brain barrier and the blood-retinal barrier, and provide antioxidant and anti-inflammatory protection to both the brain and the eyes.

Over the last few years, there have been at least 17 studies on the benefits of Astaxanthin and brain health. These studies have shown that astaxanthin protects neurons, and can slow the effects of age-related cognitive decline, as well as decline in motor function. One recent study found that participants taking astaxanthin had significantly decreased accumulations of chemical compounds known to accumulate in people with dementia or age-related forgetfulness.

Alzheimers and Dementia are both inflammatory processes affecting the brain. Astaxanthin has proven to restore congnitive ability in those suffering from these mentally crippling diseases.

The most common cause of blindness in the United States is age-related macular degeneration. Work completed by Dr. Tso at University of Illinois, showed that astaxanthin accumulates in the retina, providing much needed protection against macular degeneration.

4. Cardiovascular Health – Studies have also shown that astaxanthin improves blood flow and decreases blood pressure [and] can have a positive effect on blood chemistry by increasing HDL (the good cholesterol) and decreasing triglycerides. Studies have also shown astaxanthin works in conjunction with NO to improve the elasticity of the vascular walls, allowing the vessels to dilate and constrict according to blood pressure requirements.

5. Endurance – There are numerous studies that show the positive effect astaxanthin has on exercise endurance, fatigue, and recovery after exercise. These studies have proven that Astaxanthin boosts the body’s use of fatty acids, which helps endurance and recovery by preventing muscle and skeletal damage. Because of these properties, Astaxanthin should be a staple for anyone trying to lose excess  body fat and maintain muscle.

6. Cancer – Our immune system response to cancer is complex, but it involves the activation of lymphocytes called natural killer cells, which recognize the cancer as a foreign entity. These cells then “present” small portions of the cancer cells to other immune cells, which then mount a full-fledged immune response. Cancers overwhelm the immune system by altering their appearance to resemble normal cells and by simply outgrowing your body’s ability to eradicate them. Numerous clinical trials have shown astaxanthin inhibits cancer cell growth. Astaxanthin does this by decreasing the free radical-induced cellular damage caused by cancer and reducing inflammation and enhancing the immune system response to the cancer.