Astaxanthin: Supercharged with Health Benefits
Written by:
David Jockers, D.C.
Courtesy GreenMedInfo.com
The greatest concentrations of naturally occurring astaxanthin is in the unique microalgae Haematococcus pluvialis. This microalgae reproduces extraordinarily quickly, doubling in volume every week. These organisms have an amazing adaptive potential characterized by astaxanthin production which has allowed them to survive harsh environments over many years.
When H. pluvialis is grown commercially it goes through two major phases. The first phase is called the green phase where the algae are given an abundant source of nutrients that enhance cellular proliferation. During the red phase the cells undergo nutrient deprivation and are simultaneously exposed to intense sunlight. This process of stress and scarcity induces something called encystment. This causes the cells to generate massive amounts of astaxanthin as a protective mechanism against environmental stress, not unlike the production of resveratrol in peanuts or grapes that have been exposed to environmental stressors.
Astaxanthin in Wild Salmon vs. Farmed Salmon
Wild salmon naturally feed on red algae and accumulate astaxanthin within their muscle tissue giving them their characteristic pinkish-red color. Astaxanthin provides potent antioxidant protection that gives them their exceptional strength and amazing endurance to swim up rivers and waterfalls. Flamingos are white until they consume enough shrimp and algae that concentrates the astaxanthin pigment within their tissue.Farm-raised salmon are fed genetically modified grains and dead animal parts. This is unnatural but inexpensive feed. The result is a sick fish that comes out with a grayish-white flesh. In order to make it look a more appealing pink the fish farms use synthetic astaxanthin that is produced from toxic petrochemical sources.
This chemical-based coloring, along with the toxic feed and medical interventions such as antibiotic treatments, are why the majority of farm-raised salmon have the potential to be toxic. Astaxanthin has the unique ability to cross the blood brain barrier as well as the blood-retinal barrier while most carotenoids do not. This helps protect the brain and eyes from inflammatory damage and may reduce the risk for blindness, cataracts, macular degeneration, dementia, Alzheimer's Disease and other neurological disorders.
Astaxanthin works particularly well against peroxyl radicals that damage lipid cell membranes in a process called lipid peroxidation, i.e. rancidity. This is particularly important because all essential fats but, in particular, long-chain poly-unsaturated omega-3 fatty acids such as EPA and DHA are very fragile and susceptible to free radical damage. Astaxanthin is one of the most powerful antioxidants capable of inhibiting the oxidation of these essential fats.
Astaxanthin may also be one of the best supplements for athletes and individuals living active lifestyles. It is known to increase overall strength and stamina as evidenced in the ability for wild salmon to swim upstream. Studies have shown that it has a beneficial effect on muscle damage and the ability to buffer oxidative stress in athletes. This effect was shown to reduce recovery time and minimize joint and muscle soreness after a challenging training session.
An ideal range for astaxanthin consumption appears to be about 4-8 mg/daily. This is equivalent to 4-8 oz of wild Alaskan pink salmon. Most individuals are not able to consume this amount of wild salmon daily and therefore supplementation is recommended.
Prime™ Astaxanthin Cardio and Visual Vitality Formula
What Makes Prime™ Astaxanthin Cardio & Visual Vitality Formula Unique?
Prime Astaxanthin Cardio & Visual Vitality Formula uses AstaReal® astaxanthin. With high quality and stability, AstaReal® astaxanthin ranks among the purest and most powerful antioxidants available. AstaReal® uses precision cultivation techniques in state-of the-art facilities, producing only 100 percent natural astaxanthin in a purified, sterile environment.*
Prime Astaxanthin Cardio & Visual Vitality Formula delivers a 6 mg serving of this high-grade astaxanthin in a single serving, providing the optimal amount in every pill. This makes Prime Astaxanthin a giant step forward in the longevity revolution through its unequaled ability to combat free radicals at the cellular level.*
The power of Prime Astaxanthin to fight free radicals is of critical importance, but it must also be delivered to the body in sufficient amounts to be truly effective. Typical astaxanthin formulations contain only 2-4 mg per serving — an amount which falls short in delivering all possible benefits for the heart, eyes, skin and muscles. Prime Astaxanthin Cardio & Visual Vitality Formula is made exclusively in a 6 mg serving, which is superior for promoting optimal cardiovascular function, supporting healthy vision and skin, blood flow and muscular endurance.* Together, the quantity and the quality delivered by Prime Astaxanthin yields anti-aging benefits second to none.
Daily exposure to free radicals — contained within the air we breathe and the food we eat — results in ongoing, long-term physical stress. The widespread oxidative stress they cause to all systems of the body is also believed to be a primary contributor to what we call the aging process. Prime Astaxanthin works against free radicals by providing powerful antioxidant defense to help protect the entire body on a cellular level.
Primary Benefits of Prime™ Astaxanthin Cardio & Visual Vitality Formula*:
- Supports cardiovascular health
- Helps maintain normal cholesterol levels by helping to maintain normal serum triglycerides and HDL cholesterol levels
- Promotes healthy blood flow to and from the heart, supporting the body’s delivery of nutrients and removal of wastes
- Helps maintain normal blood pressure
- Protects LDL (bad cholesterol) from oxidative stress, which promotes healthy arteries
- Promotes healthy vision
- Helps to prevent oxidative stress in the eye
- Helps reduce the occurrence of occasional eye fatigue and eye strain associated with visual electronics
- Supports healthy blood flow in the eye, promoting nourishment for the eye and helping to maintain proper eye function
- Supports healthy visual focus
- Provides powerful antioxidant defense
- Promotes healthy skin by improving skin moisture and helping to maintain skin elasticity
- Supports
muscle endurance and muscle performance by protecting the skeletal
muscle from oxidative stress generated by physical activity
Key Ingredients in Prime™ Astaxanthin Cardio & Visual Vitality Formula:
Astaxanthin (AstaReal® P2 AF 2%)(6 mg)
Astaxanthin is a carotenoid that gives the reddish pigment to salmon, crab, krill and lobster. It is known for its powerful antioxidant effects and has been shown to be a superior free radical quencher when compared to other antioxidants like vitamin C, coenzyme Q10 and green tea. Astaxanthin’s unique structure includes long chains which allow it to cover the cell membrane and provide antioxidant protection in all layers, whereas other antioxidants are more limited.
The Japanese are the top consumers of food containing astaxanthin and also have high incidences of heart health among developed countries. In addition, a growing body of scientific evidence points to a strong link between natural astaxanthin and cardiovascular health. There have been 30 cardiovascular-specific research publications, including 10 clinical studies, investigating possible benefits of astaxanthin on both blood lipid levels and blood vessels. These studies have shown that astaxanthin helps maintain normal levels of HDL and triglycerides when consumed orally. Three recent clinical studies support astaxanthin’s ability to help maintain healthy blood vessels. Other recent human studies indicate that astaxanthin supports cardiovascular health. A series of human studies suggest that astaxanthin helps maintain healthy blood pressure by promoting healthy blood flow and vascular tone. Astaxanthin supports cardiovascular health in several ways.
In addition to its effects on cardiovascular health, astaxanthin promotes healthy visual accommodation and retinal capillary blood flow. The exact mechanism by which astaxanthin supports vision is unknown, though some believe that by promoting blood flow to the ciliary body, it provides nourishment for the ciliary muscles. Astaxanthin is also believed to work by promoting normal NF-kB activation by oxygen radicals, which may explain how it helps to alleviate eye fatigue.
