Recent research has documented its ability to increase cellular energy, protect against and treat cancer, protect against damage to the brain and nervous system, and halt the progression of complications from diabetes.Here's what you need to know:
Astaxanthin is a member of the carotenoid family. The supplement is commonly derived from a specific algae. Carotenoids (think carrots) are pigments that occur in the parts of the plant that capture light and energy. By helping the color of a plant (like flower petals) they can increase the ability of the plant to harvest the light energy from the sun.
**Wiki - "Carotenoids in general absorb blue light. They serve two key roles in plants and algae: they absorb light energy for use in photosynthesis, and they protect chlorophyll from photodamage. In humans, four carotenoids have vitamin A activity, and these and other carotenoids can also act as antioxidants. In the eye, certain other carotenoids apparently act directly to absorb damaging blue and near-ultraviolet light, in order to protect the macula lutea (from sun damage and some types of macular degeneration). People consuming diets rich in carotenoids from natural foods, such as fruits and vegetables, are healthier and have lower mortality from a number of chronic illnesses."
Astaxanthin has 100-500 times the antioxidant capacity of Vitamin E and 10 times the antioxidant capacity of beta-carotene. Many laboratory studies also indicate astaxanthin is a stronger antioxidant than lutein, lycopene and tocotrienols.
How it can be useful to humans:
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Increases strength and endurance (2.8 times greater increase over baseline versus placebo in human study).*
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Protects cell and mitochondrial membranes from oxidative damage, thus protecting the cell from oxidative damage.**
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Boosts immune system by increasing the number of antibody-producing cells.**
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Prevents the initiation of cancer cells in the tongue, oral cavity, large bowel, bladder, uterus, and breast.**
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Inhibits lipid peroxidation that causes plaque formation, thus reducing risk of cardiovascular disease.**
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Alleviates oxidative stress** and crosses the blood brain barrier.** Therefore, may assist in neurodegenerative conditions such as AMD**, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, ALS and MS.
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Protects the eyes and skin from UV A and B damage by quenching singlet and triplet oxygen.**
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Reduces the number of new and abnormal cells in the liver.**
* Confirmed in human clinical study.
** Confirmed in preclinical studies.
(http://www.beta-glucan-info.com/astaxanthin-questions-answers.htm)
And there's more:
1. Interferes with proinflammatory substances (to decrease inflammation)
2. Blocks nitric oxide enzyme activity (helps reduce high blood pressure)
3. Is a powerful antioxidant (antioxidants treat strokes and degenerative brain problems as well as prevents cancer and coronary heart disease
4. Has been referred to as nature's sunscreen
5. Protects beta-cell function in diabetes
6. Reduces glucose toxicity (which can lead to type 2 diabetes)
7. Limits exercise-induced cardiac and skeletal damage in mice
8. Protects against DNA damage from UVA rays
9. Reduces stress-induced lipid peroxidation
10. Helps prevent atherosclerosis
11. Slows growth of H pylori infection
12. Inhibits tumor growth
13. Controls cancer cell proliferation in colon cancer
14. Controls cancer cell proliferation in bladder cancer
Conclusion:
So, for most of us this product is very helpful to the eyes, can increase our endurance and reaction times, prevent sunburns and sun damage (remember we SHOULD be getting plenty of sun for it's Vitamin D content), Recent research has documented its ability to increase cellular energy, protect against and treat cancer, protect against damage to the brain and nervous system, and halt the progression of complications from diabetes.
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