Astaxanthin is a form of pigment that falls under a group of nutrients refereed to as carotenoids. It gives a red colour to microalgae commonly found under the sea. Other sources include shrimp, trout, yeast and salmon. The nutrient has been isolated and is now commercially available as a supplement. There are several astaxanthin benefits that be derived by consumers.
Cells are continuously subjected to damage by what are referred to as reactive oxygen species. These are highly reactive electrons that are generated from normal metabolic reactions or due to harmful external stimuli. The cells have a mechanism of removing these electrons but the mechanism involved is at times overwhelmed. Astaxanthin, alongside other carotenoids has been shown to assist in this process.
Having antioxidant properties means that this supplement may indeed also have anticancer effects. This is because the genesis of most, if not all, cancers is a genetic mutation that ultimately leads to uncontrolled growth of cells. If DNA damage is minimized, the risk of cancer is also greatly reduced. One of the cancer types that appears to show a lot of promise is breast cancer.
The supplement us useful in the management of a variety of joint problems. Among the conditions for which it continues to show promising results are rheumatoid arthritis and carpal tunnel syndrome. In most cases, when being used for these indications, it is combined with other treatments such as analgesic and anti-inflammatory drugs and physical therapies. Many more studies in relation to its effectiveness in arthritis are still ongoing.
Another potentially important application of astaxanthin is the treatment of male infertility. One of the studies that supports this claim was carried in 2005 and involved about 30 men who had been diagnosed with the condition. It was established that men who were put on the supplement experienced improvements in aspects such as sperm count and motility. This was quite a small study and thus a larger, randomized, controlled, multicenter study was recommended .
Reduction of total cholesterol is another major benefit of astaxanthin. Other related desirable effects include increased HDL cholesterol and a reduction in LDL cholesterol. All these serve to reduce the risk of conditions such as atherosclerosis, heart attack and stroke. There is also a direct reduction of blood pressure which serves to further reduce the risk of these conditions.
On the skin, taken orally it has been associated with a reduction in wrinkles. It also helps to increase the amount of moisture in the skin. A cream with the same ingredient is available and can be applied directly to the wrinkled part of the skin and achieve even greater effects. Another important benefit is that of reducing the effects of sunburn among persons that are susceptible.
Another important indication is in the improvement of vision for persons suffering from a condition known as age related macular degeneration. This is a visual impairment condition characterized by progressive damage to the cells of the retina responsible for both central and peripheral vision. It has been shown that the supplement may indeed help I restoring some of these cells and improve vision in the process.
Cells are continuously subjected to damage by what are referred to as reactive oxygen species. These are highly reactive electrons that are generated from normal metabolic reactions or due to harmful external stimuli. The cells have a mechanism of removing these electrons but the mechanism involved is at times overwhelmed. Astaxanthin, alongside other carotenoids has been shown to assist in this process.
Having antioxidant properties means that this supplement may indeed also have anticancer effects. This is because the genesis of most, if not all, cancers is a genetic mutation that ultimately leads to uncontrolled growth of cells. If DNA damage is minimized, the risk of cancer is also greatly reduced. One of the cancer types that appears to show a lot of promise is breast cancer.
The supplement us useful in the management of a variety of joint problems. Among the conditions for which it continues to show promising results are rheumatoid arthritis and carpal tunnel syndrome. In most cases, when being used for these indications, it is combined with other treatments such as analgesic and anti-inflammatory drugs and physical therapies. Many more studies in relation to its effectiveness in arthritis are still ongoing.
Another potentially important application of astaxanthin is the treatment of male infertility. One of the studies that supports this claim was carried in 2005 and involved about 30 men who had been diagnosed with the condition. It was established that men who were put on the supplement experienced improvements in aspects such as sperm count and motility. This was quite a small study and thus a larger, randomized, controlled, multicenter study was recommended .
Reduction of total cholesterol is another major benefit of astaxanthin. Other related desirable effects include increased HDL cholesterol and a reduction in LDL cholesterol. All these serve to reduce the risk of conditions such as atherosclerosis, heart attack and stroke. There is also a direct reduction of blood pressure which serves to further reduce the risk of these conditions.
On the skin, taken orally it has been associated with a reduction in wrinkles. It also helps to increase the amount of moisture in the skin. A cream with the same ingredient is available and can be applied directly to the wrinkled part of the skin and achieve even greater effects. Another important benefit is that of reducing the effects of sunburn among persons that are susceptible.
Another important indication is in the improvement of vision for persons suffering from a condition known as age related macular degeneration. This is a visual impairment condition characterized by progressive damage to the cells of the retina responsible for both central and peripheral vision. It has been shown that the supplement may indeed help I restoring some of these cells and improve vision in the process.
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