Astaxanthin is a naturally occuring red pigment which belongs to a family of chemicals known as carotenoids.
Astaxanthin is what gives the flesh of salmon it's orange color, and is responsible for the red appearance of shrimp, lobster, crawfish, crabs, and krill among other marine life.
It is well known as a powerful antioxidant and a supplement to help protect against hormonal hairloss known as androgenetic alopecia.
Astaxanthin is also a powerful anti-inflammatory agent which has the potential to provide positive effects throughout the body.
Astaxanthin and the heart
According to the CDC, heart disease is the "leading cause of death in the United States." 1
Heart disease is a general term that refers to multiple conditions that are impacted by high blood pressure and high cholesterol among other factors.
Along with diet and exercise, supplements like astaxanthin have been studied for their effectiveness in reducing cardiovascular risk factors in the body.
In a study evaluating astaxanthin's mechanisms of action for improving cardiovascular diseases, significant improvements in heart health were found.
Based on preclinical and clinical evidence, the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of astaxanthin appear to delay the progression of cardiovascular diseases. 2
One mechanism of action was attributed to a broad reduction of cytokines, which are known to cause inflammation in the body. 2
Astaxanthin also exhibited a positive effect on lowering the accumulation of cholesterol in the body, resulting in a reduction in atherosclerotic plaques. 2
Recommended brands of Astaxanthin
When choosing a brand of Astaxanthin, it's important to select one that is derived from a natural source such as microalgae. Avoid any Astaxanthin products that are snythetically made.
For its sustainability and natural cultivation techniques, we recommend BioAstin.
Most studies on Astaxanthin administer 12mg per day, which BioAstin offers in capsule form.
BioAstin also offers a 4mg option which can provide more control over daily dosage amounts.
Citations
- Heart Disease | cdc.gov↩
- Pereira CPM, Souza ACR, Vasconcelos AR, Prado PS, Name JJ. Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory mechanisms of action of astaxanthin in cardiovascular diseases (Review). Int J Mol Med. 2021 Jan;47(1):37-48. doi: 10.3892/ijmm.2020.4783. Epub 2020 Nov 4. PMID: 33155666; PMCID: PMC7723678.↩