While there are many new and exciting plant extracts on the market, one that is particularly noteworthy is Astaxanthin! This antioxidant stands above all other free radical scavengers.

Astaxanthin is good for skin care and supports natural beauty from within. The plant substance caught ActiNovo's attention and we hope it will pique your interest, too.

What will you learn in this guide?

1. What is astaxanthin?

Astaxanthin is a natural reddish-violet pigment that belongs to the group of carotenoids . Carotenoids are naturally occurring, fat-soluble pigments. There are more than 800 known carotenoids, including beta-carotene (found in carrots) and lycopene (found in tomatoes).

Many carotenoids have antioxidant effects, but astaxanthin has the greatest power as an antioxidant. Many studies have shown that the antioxidant abilities of astaxanthin are stronger than beta-carotene, coenzyme Q10 and even vitamin C [1]!

2. Where does astaxanthin come from?

You can find astaxanthin mainly in foods such as shellfish and fish, especially salmon. The nutrient is easily recognized by its striking reddish color . The red nutrient is extracted from a special type of algae called Haematococcus pluvialis . This creates an effective vegan product that everyone can easily consume.

It is very difficult to get enough of this antioxidant from diet alone. Sockeye salmon has the highest astaxanthin content of around 3.8 mg per 100 g.

Other types of salmon and trout also contain astaxanthin, but in much smaller amounts. Shellfish, such as shrimp or lobster , can contain between 1 and 3.6 mg per 100 g. So you would have to eat one salmon fillet and 40 shrimp to get 8 mg of astaxanthin from your diet. That's almost a whole buffet!

Those who follow a plant-based diet, have a seafood allergy, or don't like the taste of fish are missing out on this valuable antioxidant in their diet. To overcome this obstacle, astaxanthin is now available as a dietary supplement based on a vegan algae source .

3. Benefits of Astaxanthin

Fights free radicals

Astaxanthin is often referred to as the most powerful natural antioxidant in the world. In a study comparing the antioxidant effects of various substances, it performed best. Its antioxidant activity is 6,000 times higher than that of vitamin C, 800 times higher than that of coenzyme Q10 and 550 times higher than that of vitamin E [2].

Reducing free radicals in the body helps reduce oxidative stress , reactive oxygen species (ROS) and cellular damage. This means: healthier skin, DNA protection and anti-inflammatory properties .

Due to its structure and properties, astaxanthin is able to spread throughout the body. This nutrient is one of the few antioxidants that can cross the blood-retinal barrier. This means that the plant substance can provide antioxidant support to the eye [2].

Would you like to learn more about other valuable antioxidants? Read our blog article about antioxidants.

Astaxanthin for healthy skin

The benefits of astaxanthin for the skin make this antioxidant one of the best supplements to support beauty from within ! A clinical study proves this: In the study, 30 healthy volunteers took a daily dose of 6 mg of astaxanthin. In addition, they used 2 ml of a skin cream containing astaxanthin.

After 8 weeks, participants noticed an improvement in skin quality and a reduced appearance of wrinkles around the eyes. After consistent intake of astaxanthin, this study found improvements in skin wrinkles, a reduction in age spots, increased skin elasticity, improved skin texture and increased moisture levels [2].

The results show that astaxanthin supports the skin condition on several levels.

Astaxanthin for heart health

Oxidative stress and inflammation are two of the most important factors involved in the development of heart disease . Since astaxanthin is a powerful antioxidant, it may have benefits for heart health.

There are no human studies yet examining the potential of this antioxidant to support heart health. However, there are promising results from rat studies. More research is needed.

Maintaining healthy cholesterol and triglyceride levels are equally important for heart health. In one study, participants were given different doses of astaxanthin. Over a period of 12 weeks, participants received either a placebo or 6 mg, 12 mg, or 18 mg of the supplement. In the group given the highest dose , blood lipid and cholesterol levels improved . Triglyceride levels decreased and HDL cholesterol (good cholesterol) increased significantly. At doses between 12 and 18 mg per day, triglyceride levels were significantly reduced [7].

Overall, astaxanthin is a promising candidate for promoting heart health.

Astaxanthin for skin moisture and UV protection

Astaxanthin in supplements can protect our skin from damage caused by ultraviolet radiation (UV) . This antioxidant is the perfect supplement to prepare for sunny summer days! It's no secret that excessive UV radiation can cause cell damage in the skin . This damage can lead to dryness and premature wrinkles.

A clinical study investigated the effects of supplementation after UV exposure . Participants took 6 mg or 12 mg of astaxanthin or a placebo for 16 weeks. In the placebo group, skin moisture decreased and cellular inflammatory parameters related to UV exposure increased. In the group that took astaxanthin, the number of inflammatory parameters was lower after the study.

The results suggest that taking this supplement can provide protection from the sun's harmful rays [3]. Protecting your skin from the sun is important at any age. Experts recommend using a sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30 every day. Using sunscreen in combination with a natural astaxanthin supplement is the ideal combination for healthy, hydrated skin all summer long!

Astaxanthin for eye health

Eye diseases and the need to wear glasses are on the rise. One reason for this could be the hours spent working in front of computer screens or our dependence on our phones. Our eyes are not designed to look at a single area for hours. The high-energy light, also called blue light, produced by screens can lead to increased oxidative stress . Blue light can promote the formation of free radicals that can damage proteins and lipids in the eye.

Omega-3 fatty acids are particularly important for the function of the retina . The cells of the eye's retina are very sensitive and are damaged by oxidative stress [4]. Oxidative damage can lead to the death of photoreceptors and deterioration of vision [5]. Astaxanthin can support eye health due to its antioxidant properties.

The nutrient is able to cross the blood-retinal barrier and thus can counteract damage caused by free radicals . Minimizing oxidative stress helps protect the retina from harmful environmental stresses . Some studies suggest that supplementation could improve vision in healthy people.

In one study, 49 healthy adults took astaxanthin once daily for 28 days. Participants were divided into 4 groups and received either a placebo, 2 mg, 4 mg, or 12 mg of astaxanthin. The 4 mg and 12 mg groups showed significant improvements in visual acuity and coordination [6]. Studies examining astaxanthin supplementation and vision are limited. More research is needed to determine the potential of this antioxidant in eye conditions.

A daily dose of ActiNovo liposomal astaxanthin corresponds to the amount of astaxanthin contained in 1 kg of farmed Atlantic salmon.

4. Astaxanthin and bioavailability

Astaxanthin is a large molecule with low absorption. This nutrient is fat-soluble, meaning it cannot be absorbed into the bloodstream without fat. Absorption is generally poor in healthy people, so people are unable to take advantage of the full antioxidant potential of this nutrient.

The solution: Liposomal Astaxanthin

To overcome the problems of bioavailability, ActiNovo takes this antioxidant to the next level using liposomal technology.

Facts:

Conventional astaxanthin supplements have minimal bioavailability, so consumers cannot utilize the full potential of the active ingredient!

5. Frequently asked questions

Answered by ActiNovo nutritionist

Q: Is it dangerous to use astaxanthin?

A: No, taking the dietary supplement astaxanthin is not dangerous! This nutrient is considered safe and has a very low risk of side effects.

Allergic reactions are only observed in rare cases. People who suffer from a blood clotting disorder, take blood-thinning medication or have low blood pressure should discuss taking astaxanthin with their doctor.

Q: When can I see results?

A: Well, it's different for everyone. As long as you don't have any medical conditions, you can take astaxanthin daily. We recommend taking a 5ml dose of ActiNovo Astaxanthin per day for best results. Research shows that some people can start seeing results after 2 to 8 weeks of daily use.

Q: Can I just take astaxanthin?

A: Astaxanthin is a great natural supplement for anyone! If you enjoy spending time outdoors, live in a sunny location, or notice premature signs of aging, this is the perfect supplement for you. Athletes who train frequently and at high intensity are likely to have higher levels of free radicals.

This antioxidant helps minimize oxidative stress and increase energy. Overall, this product is suitable for all people and is generally safe to use.

Sources

1. [1] AL-Tarifi B. Y, Mahmood A, Assaw S, Sheikh H. I. Comparison of Different Organic Solvents on Antioxidant Activity of Astaxanthin Extracted from Hematococcus Pluvialis USING Colorimetric and Non-Colorimetric Methods. Orient J Chem 2020;36(3).[2] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4663357/ [1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5525019/
   [3] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3206354/
   [4] https://www.spektrum.de/news/schaden-bildschirme-den-augen/1560572
   [5] https://pure.fujita-hu.ac.jp/en/publications/changes-in-visual-function-following-peroral-astaxanthin
   [6] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19892350/