Life Extension Magazine®
Beyond Eye Health
Celebrity physician Dr. Oz recently touted astaxanthin as “The #1 Supplement You’ve Never Heard of That You Should Be Taking.” Life Extension® members have been taking it for years to combat eye fatigue. An abundance of fresh scientific evidence reveals astaxanthin may also combat cancer, heart disease, and more.
Scientifically reviewed by Dr. Gary Gonzalez, MD, in October 2024. Written by: Gail Richardson.
Earlier this year, celebrity physician Dr. Oz touted a compound vital to preserving visual acuity in maturing individuals. He called it “The #1 Supplement You’ve Never Heard of That You Should Be Taking.”1 The name of this compound is astaxanthin, and Life Extension® members have obtained a potent dose of it in a popular eye health formula. While the naturally occurring carotenoid astaxanthin may have finally attained mainstream recognition for its crucial role in protecting aging eyes, scientists are discovering it possesses broad-spectrum, systemic properties that combat multiple diseases of aging. In this article, you will discover the latest findings on astaxanthin’s multimodal ability to target risk factors for cancer, cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome, immune disorders, and other forms of degenerative disease.2,3 You will also learn of the drug industry’s predictably corrupt efforts to develop patentable synthetic forms of astaxanthin to treat heart disease—and reap windfall profits.4-8 Astaxanthin is a red-orange carotenoid pigment derived from microalgae, fish, and crustaceans.2,13 Scientists have repeatedly demonstrated that high consumption of carotenoids is protective against many oxidative stress-induced, age-related conditions.14 Astaxanthin stands out among the carotenoids for its exceptional antioxidant capabilities.2-4,15-19 Researchers estimate that astaxanthin’s antioxidant activity ranks up to ten times as high as other carotenoids.2 Astaxanthin is also unique among the antioxidants in that it spans both layers of the cell membrane, allowing it to trap free radicals outside and inside the cell.19-21 In addition to its formidable antioxidant capability, astaxanthin provides direct anti-inflammatory, immune-boosting, and DNA-protective effects.5,22-29 Together these capabilities give astaxanthin the kind of multi-targeted actions modern humans need to protect themselves against the onslaught of chronic, age-related diseases, all of which involve oxidative stress, inflammation, and their consequences.30 Its underlying mechanisms of action effectively slow physiological processes associated with onset of degenerative disease.10-12 Fighting Metabolic SyndromeAt the root of many age-related chronic conditions lies the cluster of disorders known as the metabolic syndrome, which includes insulin resistance, obesity, elevated triglycerides, low high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and hypertension. Astaxanthin lowers blood sugar and reduces insulin resistance.31 It also scavenges the oxygen free radicals that damage lipids and reduce insulin sensitivity, while preserving the capacity of the pancreas to produce more of its own insulin.32 Astaxanthin has been shown to potently reduce harmful triglycerides and raise levels of HDL in both animal and human studies,31,33 while reducing the size of individual fat cells in an animal model of metabolic syndrome.31 Animal studies show that astaxanthin also blocks the massive weight gain and elevation in blood lipids triggered by a high-fat diet.34 Astaxanthin also proved capable of lowering blood pressure and increasing insulin sensitivity in rats.35 Anti-Cancer MechanismsAstaxanthin’s multiple mechanisms of action make it an ideal candidate for prevention and adjuvant treatment of many different kinds of cancer. By quenching free radical production in oxidatively stressed tissues, astaxanthin can prevent the DNA damage that is required to initiate many forms of cancer.28 By subduing inflammatory mediators such as COX-2 and NF-kB,36 astaxanthin may prevent cancer promotion, the step that allows potentially cancerous cells to blossom into full-blown tumors. By supporting healthy intercellular communication, astaxanthin improves tissue resistance to cancers.15 And by impairing enzymes like matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) that cancer cells use to break down tissue barriers, astaxanthin can help prevent tumor invasion and metastatic spread.36
Astaxanthin has shown beneficial effects in preventing colon, breast, and bone cancers in a variety of animal models.37-39 In humans, astaxanthin not only reduces markers of DNA damage and inflammation, but it also enhances immune function of the kind that destroys nascent cancer cells before they can grow up into dangerous tumors.28 Laboratory studies demonstrate that astaxanthin has multiple beneficial effects on the immune system, boosting function of natural killer cells that patrol for abnormally developing cells that could turn cancerous.29,40,41 Targeting Cardiac Risk FactorsHeart disease and stroke are among the leading killers of older adults; like cancer, these diseases have origins in oxidative stress and inflammation.5 Astaxanthin’s powerful antioxidant characteristics are producing compelling results in cardioprotection and improving vascular health.30 In laboratory studies, astaxanthin improves endothelial function, allowing arteries to respond normally to stimuli that get them to relax.42,43 That effect helps normalize blood pressure, especially in animals bred to be hypertensive.44,45 Astaxanthin also reduces the number of inflammatory cells that infiltrate into developing atherosclerotic plaques, the dangerous accumulations of cholesterol and damaged tissue that ultimately reduce blood flow.46 Astaxanthin promotes the strength of the heart muscle’s “squeeze,” which may help the heart to maintain normal blood flows both before and after an injury to the tissue.23 This effect may help the heart muscle limit the size of the area that is injured when blood flow is too low.7 By battling the effects of advanced glycation end products (AGEs), the dysfunctional proteins that form in the presence of high blood sugar, astaxanthin may help prevent cardiovascular damage in diabetes.47 Even after a vascular “event” such as a heart attack or stroke, astaxanthin helps mitigate the damage by reducing the burst of oxygen free radicals generated in the destructive “ischemia-reperfusion” injury.48-50 That kind of injury actually accounts for much of the long-term loss of function following those vascular events.51 Human studies of astaxanthin have demonstrated reduced markers of oxidative stress and inflammation, along with improvements in the way blood flows through vessels.30 An astaxanthin supplement reduced systolic blood pressure in older adults with metabolic syndrome.52 A human trial to investigate astaxanthin’s effects on arterial stiffness is underway.53
Enhanced Cognition and MemoryAstaxanthin is becoming known in scientific circles as “a potent candidate for brain food,”54 with the potential for slowing or stopping chronic neurodegenerative conditions like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases. Astaxanthin protects neurons by preventing oxidative damage and quenching free radicals that injure brain cells in these conditions.54 Additionally, it works by blocking the inflammation and excitatory neurotransmitter release that further contribute to those neurodegenerative diseases.55 Astaxanthin also modifies gene expression, upregulating genes for natural antioxidant systems24 while downregulating those for inflammatory cytokines; this has been shown to help prevent brain cell death induced by the amyloid-beta.56,57 A recent human study found that astaxanthin reduced the accumulation of a toxic dementia-related metabolite in the red blood cells of healthy older adults.58 Astaxanthin’s powerful antioxidant properties also make it protective against acute ischemia-reperfusion injury to the brain following a stroke.59 It also mitigates the more chronic damage caused by sustained low-level impairments in blood flow such as those seen in micro-infarct dementia. Both animal and human studies indicate that these effects translate into improved memory and information-processing capacity in aging brains.44,49 Animal studies further demonstrate an intriguing anti-anxiety effect.60 Immune SupportThe aging immune system gradually loses its ability to produce protective antibodies against invading organisms. The aging immune system also has a propensity to produce harmful autoimmune reactions.61 Astaxanthin boosts antibody production in response to invading microbes.62 Astaxanthin also favorably modifies the way various immune system cells respond in the face of an attack, which has the potential to make infections both less likely and less serious.63-65 Human studies demonstrate enhanced immune responses in humans supplemented with astaxanthin.28 Better Physical PerformanceAstaxanthin may help you capture the benefits of regular moderate exercise, which in turn can improve your cardiovascular, metabolic, cognitive, and immunologic health. Astaxanthin can limit the impact of the cardiac and skeletal muscle damage that accumulates with strenuous exercise, potentially allowing for a longer, more comfortable workout.66 It improves muscle cells’ ability to use fat as a fuel source, making them more efficient and helping to burn body fat.67,68 Those enhancements can lead to improved exercise endurance and reduced fatigue as well.67,69 |
Gastric HealthThe clinical importance of astaxanthin’s multi-targeted immune-modulating effects is clearly evident in the ways that astaxanthin fights off the bacterium called Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori). About half the world’s population is infected with this pathogen, which produces a spectrum of stomach disorders ranging from chronic gastritis and ulcers to gastric cancer.70 Astaxanthin mitigates the inflammation associated with H. pylori infection of the stomach.70 Animal studies indicate that astaxanthin inhibits the growth of H. pylori in the stomach.70,71 Astaxanthin has proven its efficacy in reducing symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux (heartburn, or GERD), especially in people with H. pylori infections.72 Astaxanthin and Ocular Disease PreventionLoss of vision is a terrifying reality for millions of aging Americans. Three major age-associated causes of blindness are cataracts, age-related macular degeneration, and glaucoma. All of these are associated with chronic oxidative damage, and most involve some degree of inflammation.73 That makes powerful antioxidants such as astaxanthin of natural interest to prevention-oriented physicians.74
Astaxanthin decreases UV light-induced fat oxidation in cells of the human lens, which can help prevent cataract formation.71 That antioxidant effect helps prevent retinal damage.75 Astaxanthin also inhibits the pro-inflammatory nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kB) signaling pathway in the eye.76,77 Early, preventive treatment with a combination of antioxidants including astaxanthin, lutein, zeaxanthin, vitamin C, vitamin E, zinc, and copper in humans at risk for age-related macular degeneration demonstrated improvement in vision near the important central part of the retina.78 Astaxanthin also helped reduce markers of inflammation and cell death in an animal model of glaucoma.79
Another promising application of astaxanthin is the prevention of eye fatigue or asthenopia, particularly in people who work long hours viewing a computer screen. In a study of 26 individuals who work at computer terminals, those who were randomly selected to receive astaxanthin each day for one month had a 54% reduction in complaints of eye fatigue, along with improvements in accommodation (your eyes’ ability to change optical power to focus on objects at different distances).80 A similar study showed that one month of astaxanthin reduced eye fatigue and increased accommodation power in healthy subjects.81 Researchers believe that astaxanthin may help fight eye fatigue in part by increasing blood flow to the retina.82 Natural UV ProtectionA lifetime of exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light can trigger wrinkles and skin sagging, and it also dramatically increases the risk of skin cancer. Preliminary laboratory findings suggest that astaxanthin may represent a potential sun-protective agent that can be taken internally to block the damaging effects of UV radiation.83 Human skin cells in culture rapidly accumulate astaxanthin following treatment, and their vulnerability to UV light-induced oxidative damage is sharply reduced.84 That effect is accompanied by increased activity of cellular antioxidant systems and reduced cell membrane damage, while production of wrinkle- and sag-inducing skin enzymes is markedly reduced.11,83 It is little wonder that astaxanthin has been praised as promoting “beauty from within” in recent press releases.1 SummaryAstaxanthin has long been shown to protect aging eyes from cataracts, age-related macular degeneration, and glaucoma. More recent scientific findings indicate astaxanthin as a multimodal intervention for numerous forms of degenerative disease. These include cardiovascular disease, cancer, metabolic syndrome, cognitive decline, age-related immune dysfunction, stomach and eye conditions, and skin damage. Astaxanthin is safe in a wide range of doses. As little as 4-6 mg per day has been shown to effectively support eye health. Between 6 and 18 mg are indicated for management of metabolic syndrome. As much as 40 mg per day mitigates H. pylori-induced gastritis, with no side effects reported at any of these doses.18,33,78,85 If you have any questions on the scientific content of this article, please call a Life Extension® Health Advisor at 1-866-864-3027. Editor's NoteScience continues to evolve, and new research is published daily. As such, we have a more recent article on this topic: Astaxanthin Promotes Heart Health | |||||
| References | |||||
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