Astaxanthin for Full-Body Health

Astaxanthin is a carotenoid with impressive anti-inflammatory/antioxidant properties.^1,2

Research shows that astaxanthin has the potential to provide benefits throughout the body and can be a valuable component of anyone’s health program.

While best known for its eye health benefits, astaxanthin has also been shown to hold promise for improvement in skin, liver, neurological functions, and more.³

What Is Astaxanthin?

Astaxanthin (pronounced "asta-zanthin") is a red pigment in the carotenoid family, which also includes lycopene, lutein, and zeaxanthin.¹

It is formed in microalgae and phytoplankton in the sea.^4,5 When eaten by some animals, the pigment concentrates in their tissues, leading to the reddish-pink colors of lobsters, crabs, shrimp, and salmon.^2,6

Astaxanthin is best known for its benefits to eye health. Its consumption can protect vision and help reduce the risk for and progression of chronic diseases of the eyes.^2,7,8

But astaxanthin can do much more.^1,3,9 One recent review analyzes dozens of disorders that it has the potential to benefit, including Alzheimer’s, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, fatty liver disease, and others.³

How It Works

Scientists have studied how this carotenoid could provide a variety of health benefits. One likely explanation for astaxanthin’s biological power is its remarkable antioxidant activity, which is greater than many carotenoids,¹ as well as vitamins C and E.¹⁰

By helping cells scavenge free radicals, astaxanthin neutralizes these cellular toxins before they can damage tissues.^1,11

Astaxanthin’s chemical structure allows it to insert itself into cellular membranes, which are susceptible to oxidative damage. There, astaxanthin acts as an internal shield, helping eliminate the threat of oxidative stress and mitochondrial damage10 that contribute to rapid aging and risk for chronic disease.^10,12

Astaxanthin is a superior free radical scavenger for preventing oxidative damage to cell membranes. And this property makes it beneficial for cardiovascular and immune health support.¹⁰

Astaxanthin is also a potent anti-inflammatory, reducing activity of NF-kB (nuclear factor-kappa B), a signaling protein that contributes to production of pro-inflammatory compounds.^3,12

This powerful pigment may also protect against many different conditions of aging that are associated with chronic inflammation. In one recent study, astaxanthin extended the median lifespan of male mice by 12%.¹³

It also has the potential to improve metabolic health through its effects on two proteins, AMPK and mTOR, that regulate cellular metabolism. By stimulating AMPK and inhibiting mTOR, astaxanthin may reduce the risk for metabolic disease and insulin resistance.^14,15

In a clinical trial of diabetic patients, a 10 mg daily dose of astaxanthin for 12 weeks resulted in reduction of inflammatory markers and mTOR activity.¹⁴

This suggests astaxanthin supplementation is a potentially effective strategy for improving cellular defenses, augmenting cellular housekeeping, and promoting autophagy.

Additional preclinical studies support these mechanisms of action related to inflammatory response, mitochondrial function, and autophagy, and suggest that astaxanthin could provide benefits in age-related chronic conditions including atherosclerosis, osteoarthritis, and neurodegenerative disorders.⁹

Eye and Skin Health

Preclinical and clinical studies have shown that astaxanthin is protective against a range of chronic eye conditions, including cataracts and age-related macular degeneration.^2,4,8

In human studies, astaxanthin intake improves visual acuity (sharpness of vision) in healthy adults⁴ and protects against eye strain, even in people whose work involves looking at digital displays all day.^2,16

In two separate clinical studies of healthy volunteers, a 6-12 mg daily dose of astaxanthin for two to four weeks resulted in improved ocular blood flow. One of the two trials even reported improvement of visual acuity.⁴ In another trial of patients with cataracts in both eyes, participants underwent surgery in one eye before receiving astaxanthin. The other eye was operated on after intake of the supplement for two weeks. At the end of the study, it was noted that intake of astaxanthin reduced markers of oxidative stress that can cause damage to the eyes.¹⁷

The skin serves as a primary barrier from the external environment. With advancing age, skin structure and integrity deteriorate, in part due to exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation.18 Oxidative stress and UV damage lead to accelerated skin aging, also known as "photo-aging."^18,19

In preclinical studies, astaxanthin acts as an internal sunscreen, absorbing potentially harmful wavelengths of light²⁰ that cause wrinkles, dry skin, pigmentation, inflammation, and reduced skin elasticity.¹⁸

In a clinical trial, participants were randomized to receive 4 mg daily astaxanthin or placebo for nine weeks. At the end of the study, they were exposed to controlled levels of UV rays. Upon exposure, participants in the treatment group had increased time before burning (sunburn), and reduced loss of skin moisture in areas exposed to UV light. Non-irradiated areas in the astaxanthin group showed significant improvement in skin texture and roughness.²¹

In addition, a 2021 meta-analysis of studies concluded that astaxanthin improves skin moisture content and elasticity and reduces wrinkles.²²

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

A Powerful Pigment

• Astaxanthin is a carotenoid pigment responsible for the pinkish-red color of many fish and crustaceans. It is one of the most potent antioxidants and has many other health-promoting properties.
• Astaxanthin has long been known for its eye health benefits. It has been shown to improve visual sharpness and protect against common eye diseases.
• Human studies show that astaxanthin also helps protect against skin aging, reduces risk factors for metabolic and cardiovascular disease, improves liver health, and boosts measures of cognitive function.

Metabolic and Cardiovascular Disease

Beyond its proven antioxidant abilities, many studies have demonstrated astaxanthin’s protective effects on inflammation and lipid and glucose metabolism, which offer potential to improve arterial health.

In preclinical studies astaxanthin has been shown to support healthy glucose metabolism and reduce the risk of arterial blockage. In clinical studies astaxanthin has shown an ability to inhibit LDL oxidation and increase HDL ("good") cholesterol, thereby helping protect against risk factors for heart disease.²³

In one pilot study of heart failure patients, a three-month intake of astaxanthin not only suppressed oxidative stress and improved cardiac contractility, but it also improved their exercise tolerance.²⁴

Astaxanthin also improves several markers and risk factors for cardiovascular disease. In a study of healthy adults, astaxanthin intake reduced triglycerides and increased HDL ("good") cholesterol.²⁵ Similar results were seen in a trial of prediabetic adults with high cholesterol: 12 mg astaxanthin daily for 24 weeks resulted in reduced levels of fibrinogen (a marker of CVD risk).²⁶

In another clinical study, participants, who were obese men, were randomized either to:

• Receive 20 mg astaxanthin or a placebo, or
• Undergo high-intensity exercise training, or
• Receive astaxanthin along with undergoing high-intensity training.

After 12 weeks the exercise group had decreased body weight and had an improved lipid and metabolic profile. These changes were more pronounced in the group that received astaxanthin along with the training.²⁷

In postmenopausal women, taking 12 mg of astaxanthin daily for eight weeks reduced blood pressure, improved markers of blood vessel health, and reduced signs of oxidative stress.²⁸

In a study of prediabetic individuals, taking 12 mg of astaxanthin daily for 12 weeks resulted in improved glucose tolerance and heart function and reduced hemoglobin A1c levels (a measure of average glucose levels over time) and cholesterol.²⁹

Astaxanthin can even boost physical performance.

In studies of younger athletes³ and older adults,^3,30 astaxanthin intake increased endurance, improved walking distance and speed, and enhanced other measures of exercise performance.

Brain and Liver Function

As seen in preclinical studies, astaxanthin may help support neurologic functions and reduce risk for dementia in several ways, including:³

• Protecting brain cells from cell death,
• Preventing glutamate toxicity (which can kill neurons),
• Reducing buildup of the proteins associated with Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative conditions, and
• Reducing neuroinflammation.

Human studies in both younger and older adults have shown that taking astaxanthin improves measures of cognitive function, including memory and brain processing speed.³

A trial in healthy middle-aged and elderly individuals who reported age-related decline in memory showed that supplementation with astaxanthin at a dose of 12 mg daily for 12 weeks improved cognitive function.³¹

In animal models and preliminary human studies, astaxanthin can also help defend the liver from common threats. These include prevention and even reversal of fatty liver changes, liver fibrosis (scarring), and alcohol-induced liver damage.³

In a trial of humans with existing fatty liver, subjects were randomized to receive either 12 mg of astaxanthin per day for 24 weeks or a placebo. Compared to the placebo, astaxanthin was able to reduce liver fat and slow the progression of fatty liver.³²

Even in a study of healthy older women, astaxanthin reduced liver enzymes in the blood, which can be markers of liver damage.³³ This provides evidence that astaxanthin intake may protect the liver in people with or without any obvious signs of liver damage.

Summary

The carotenoid pigment astaxanthin has long been recognized for its protective effects in the eyes.

Preclinical and clinical studies show that astaxanthin intake has benefits for skin and liver while also supporting the health of the cardiovascular, metabolic, and neurological systems.

More benefits of astaxanthin are being uncovered, making this pigment a vital part of a health maintenance program.

If you have any questions on the scientific content of this article, please call a Life Extension Wellness Specialist at 1-866-864-3027.

References

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