Astaxanthin, a purplish red crystal was extracted from shrimp, crabs and other aquatic products, and it was determined that it was a carotenoid closely related to astaxanthin, so it was named astaxanthin. It is widely found in shrimp, crabs, fish, birds, some algae and fungi.Astaxanthin is a powerful antioxidant that has received a lot of attention in recent years for its numerous health benefits. This naturally occurring pigment belongs to the carotenoid family and is responsible for the bright red or pink color of various sea creatures, including salmon, shrimp and lobster. While astaxanthin is most commonly thought of for its ability to protect skin from sun damage, its benefits extend far beyond external factors.
Astaxanthin has been widely recognized for its antioxidant, coloration and immunity enhancement properties. The United States and other countries have allowed it to be used in production as a food additive, and as a natural food additive, it has broad prospects for development. In this comprehensive guide, we explore the various ways astaxanthin can enhance your overall health.
Function of Astaxanthin
- Enhance skin health
The important properties of astaxanthin are its antioxidant properties, and it is an excellent antioxidant. Many people know the importance of using sunscreen to protect their skin from the harmful effects of the sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays. However, the skin still suffers from oxidative stress caused by sun exposure.
Astaxanthin is a potent antioxidant that neutralizes free radicals and reduces inflammation within the skin. This helps improve the skin's elasticity, smoothness and overall appearance. Additionally, astaxanthin may reduce the risk of sunburn and reduce signs of aging, such as wrinkles and age spots.
Astaxanthin, as a new cosmetic material, is widely used in cream, emulsion, lip balm, skin care products and other cosmetics with its excellent properties. Especially in the field of advanced cosmetics, natural astaxanthin, with its unique molecular structure, can effectively quenching the free radicals caused by ultraviolet light through its antioxidant effect, prevent skin photoaging, reduce UVA and UVB damage to the skin, prevent skin cancer, delay cell aging, reduce skin wrinkles, reduce melanin deposition, reduce freckles, and maintain moisture. Gives skin more elasticity, tension and moisture.
- Support health
Inflammation is the body's natural response to injury or infection. However, chronic inflammation can lead to a variety of health problems, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and autoimmune diseases. Studies have found that astaxanthin has powerful anti-inflammatory properties, inhibiting the production of inflammatory mediators and reducing the risk of chronic diseases. By incorporating astaxanthin into your diet or taking it as a supplement, you can reduce inflammation and promote overall health.Astaxanthin has a strong inhibitory effect on the proliferation of cancer cells, and the high concentration of astaxanthin can kill tumor cells. Studies have found that astaxanthin can effectively control a variety of cancers, such as liver, mouth, colorectal, bladder and breast cancer.
Astaxanthin can significantly enhance the body's local and systemic immune capacity, and this immunomodulatory property, combined with antioxidant, plays an important role in preventing the occurrence and spread of diseases. Experiments have shown that carotenoids can slow down the decline of immune capacity caused by aging, improve the function of the body's immune organs, and enhance the resistance to the harsh environment.Heart disease is the leading cause of death worldwide, so maintaining cardiovascular health is vital. Astaxanthin has been shown to lower blood pressure, reduce oxidative stress, and improve lipid profile. It enhances the flexibility and dilation of blood vessels, improving blood flow and reducing the risk of cardiovascular events such as heart disease and stroke. By incorporating astaxanthin into your daily routine, you can support heart health and reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease.
As we age, our eyes become more susceptible to oxidative stress and damage from exposure to blue light, pollution and other environmental factors. Astaxanthin has been shown to protect the eyes from a variety of conditions, including cataracts, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), and eye fatigue. By crossing the blood-retinal barrier, astaxanthin accumulates in the retina of the eye, boosting its antioxidant defenses and reducing inflammation. Regular consumption of astaxanthin can support long-term eye health and protect vision.
Cognitive decline is a common concern as we age. Research shows that oxidative stress plays a crucial role in the development and progression of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. Astaxanthin’s antioxidant properties may help protect the brain from oxidative damage, reduce the risk of cognitive decline and preserve memory and cognitive function. In addition, astaxanthin has been shown to improve blood flow and oxygen delivery to the brain, further supporting cognitive health.
Whether you are a professional athlete or just enjoy an active lifestyle, astaxanthin can provide significant benefits in the area of athletic performance. It has been found to increase endurance and improve muscle recovery by reducing exercise-induced oxidative stress and inflammation. In addition, astaxanthin enhances fat metabolism, thereby improving endurance and energy utilization during physical activity. Adding astaxanthin to your daily routine can help with more effective workouts and faster recovery.
Application
- Food
Astaxanthin has been used as a food additive for food coloring, preservation and nutrition. Astaxanthin is fat-soluble, with gorgeous red color and strong antioxidant properties. It has both coloring effect and fresh-keeping effect for food, especially for food containing more fat. In other countries, the red oil containing astaxanthin has been patented for the pickling of vegetables, seaweed and fruits, and patents have been reported for the coloring of beverages, noodles and condiments. Studies on the synthesis of human health products using astaxanthin have been carried out abroad, and health products containing astaxanthin have been developed for its efficacy in enhancing immune system function, anti-cancer, protecting retina from ultraviolet radiation and light oxidation, anti-inflammation, preventing oxidative damage of low density lipoprotein (LDL) -cholesterol in blood, etc.
- Drug
The antioxidant and immune-promoting effects of astaxanthin can be used as drugs to prevent oxidative tissue damage. Studies have shown that astaxanthin can protect the nervous system, especially the brain and spine, through the blood-brain barrier, and can effectively treat ischemic reperfusion injury, spinal cord injury, Parkinson's syndrome, Alzheimer's syndrome and other central nervous system injuries. It can effectively prevent oxidation of retina and damage of photoreceptor cells, and has a good effect on improving retinal function.
- Feed Additive
Astaxanthin's largest market is in the feed industry, where it can be used primarily as a feed additive for fish and crustaceans such as shrimp and crabs and poultry. Astaxanthin, as a colorant of aquaculture animals, can make aquatic animals show bright colors and make them have higher ornamental value. Adding astaxanthin to poultry feed can increase the pigment content of egg yolk. It can also improve the laying rate of hens and promote the health of laying hens. Astaxanthin has the same function as human in the prevention and treatment of fish, shrimp, crab and poultry diseases, can improve immunity, improve survival rate, and play an important role in their normal growth and healthy breeding, improve survival rate and reproductive rate.
In conclusion, astaxanthin is a natural antioxidant with a wide range of health benefits. From protecting skin from sun damage to improving cardiovascular health, cognitive function, and athletic performance, the positive effects of astaxanthin on the body are significant. Whether you choose to get astaxanthin through dietary sources like salmon, or opt for a quality supplement, incorporating this powerful antioxidant into your daily routine can optimize your overall health. Remember to consult a healthcare professional before starting any new supplement regimen.
Post time: Sep-25-2023
