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staxanthin is a xanthophyll carotenoid naturally synthesized by plants, bacteria and chlorophyte alga Heamotococcus Pluvialis. The highest concentration of Astaxanthin in nature is found in Heamatococcus Pluvialis, hence it is a source for the vast majority of Astaxanthin supplements on the market today.

Astaxanthin is related to other carotenoids, such as Zeaxanthin, lutein and β-carotene and shares numerous metabolic and physiological functions attributed to carotenoids. Yet, Astaxanthin is more bioactive than any other carotenoids mainly due to the presence of conjugated double bonds, keto- and a hydroxyl group on each end of its molecule.

It has both lipophilic and hydrophilic properties, it does not have pro-vitamin A activity in the body.

 

WHAT ARE XANTHOPHYLLS?

Carotenoids include 2 groups: ‘carotenes’ and ‘xanthophyll’. While the carotene group is more widely known because of its most famous member, lycopene and beta-carotene. The other group of carotenoids, xanthophyll is much biochemically active in our bodies than carotenes.

 

ZENITH NUTRITION ASTAXANTHIN

Zenith Nutrition Astaxanthin provides 4mg of Astaxanthin per serving. The high-quality, natural dietary supplement is suitable for both men and women. It is manufactured in a GMP-certified unit, does not contain sugar, preservatives, corn, soy, dairy, yeast and gluten. Every batch of supplement goes through extensive testing for assurance on purity and potency.

 

SUPER ANTIOXIDANT

Free radicals have very high reactivity and are produced by normal aerobic metabolism in organisms. Excessive oxidative molecules may react with proteins, lipids and DNA and cause damage which are associated with various disorders. These oxidative molecules can be inhibited by endogenous and exogenous antioxidants such as carotenoids. Carotenoids contain long conjugated double bonds which scavenge free radicals to terminate chain reactions.

Astaxanthin is more bioavailable and one of the strongest antioxidants to date, more powerful than other carotenoids like vitamin C and vitamin E. It is found to have numerous biological health benefits that are backed by a great deal of clinical research.

 

• Astaxanthin is a potent quencher of free radicals, reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS). It is 11 times more potent as a single oxygen quencher than β-carotene and 550 times greater than alpha tocopherol.
• Astaxanthin increases levels of antioxidant enzymes catalase, superoxide dismutase, and peroxidase.
• The polyene chain in Astaxanthin traps free radicals in the cell membrane, while the terminal ring of Astaxanthin could scavenge radicals at the outer and inner parts of the cell membrane.

Did you know? Astaxanthin is 65 times more powerful than Vitamin C, 54 times more powerful than beta-carotene and 14 times more powerful than Vitamin E.

 

PROMOTES YOUTHFUL SKN

There is growing body of scientific evidence supporting the benefits of Astaxanthin for skin health. Astaxanthin has been shown to improve dermal health by direct and downstream influences at several different steps of the oxidative stress cascade, while inhibiting inflammatory mediators at the same time.

Molecular and morphological changes in aged skin not only compromises the protective role of skin, but also contributes to the appearance of skin symptoms like excessive skin dryness, increased predisposition to the formation or deepening of wrinkles, dyspigmentation, fragility, difficulty in healing wounds, skin irritation and so on.

Astaxanthin supplementation is thought to protect the skin from within and replenish the skin’s youthful qualities.

 

1. It inhibits free radical formation
2. Suppresses hyperpigmentation
3. Prevents UV-induced skin damage
4. Helps reduce wrinkle formation
5. Prevents excessive skin dryness
6. Helps lighten age spots
7. Improves skin texture and skin elasticity

 

 

IMPROVES POST-EXERCISE RECOVERY

The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of Astaxanthin has benefit as a significant tool for athletes, sports people and even busy individuals. The intense physical workout causes production of reactive oxygen species, lactic acid and inflammation which induces fatigue and pain. The continued oxidative stress and inflammation can prevent individual from faster muscle recovery.

 

• Astaxanthin helps your recover faster from exercise while also improves endurance.
• Helps reduce symptoms of delayed onset of muscle soreness (DOMS).
• Helps enhance fat metabolism, thereby boost energy and endurance.
• Protects mitochondrial cells from free radical damage, and thus encourages the production of energy.
• Prevents build-up of lactic acids and accelerates the detoxifying process.
• It allows your muscles to recover quickly and allow you to perform more in every workout.
• By increasing fat metabolism and allowing for greater performance, it may facilitate fat loss.

 

SUPER NUTRIENT FOR EYE CARE

An extensive range of clinical trials have investigated the effect of Astaxanthin in prevention of eye disorders and in maintenance of healthy eye function. The eye disorders have been attributed to cellular oxidative damage from singlet oxygen. One of the proposed mechanisms behind the development and progression of age-related macular degeneration is linked to the effect of oxidative stress on retinal epithelial cells (RPE) which may result in degeneration, dysfunction and cell loss. Most eye tissue is composed of fat and is highly affected by oxidation, in addition to this, retina uses lot of energy and produces oxidants.

 

• Protects retinal cells from oxidative damage and slows the progression of age-related macular degeneration.
• Helps reduce eye strain and improves circulation in capillaries of eyes.
• Protects eyes from blocking much of damaging UV-light and blue light.
• Helps prevent dryness of eyes and decreased tear volume.
• Improves vision performance.
• Works synergistically with other carotenoids, lutein and zexanthin.

 

OFFERS PROTECTION TO HEART

Oxidative stress and inflammation are established factors contributing to pathophysiological features of heart health. A growing body of scientific evidence supports the benefits of Astaxanthin for heart health.

 

• Helps reduce the inflammatory biomarkers which lead to endothelial dysfunction.
• Results in significant reduction in blood pressure.
• Improves lipid profile and blood flow.
• Strengthens arterial walls and reduces hypertension.
• Increases artery relaxation by significantly lowering oxidized levels of LDL.
• Increases bioavailability of NO enabling its vasodilation.
• Produces promising improvement in glucose and lipid metabolism.

 

HAS IMMUNE ENHANCING EFFECTS

Immune system protects our body from harmful substances, infectious microorganisms and cellular changes that could make us ill. Astaxanthin improves the immune system’s ability to defend the body while also helps to suppress the overactive immune responses that create unwanted inflammation.

 

• Decreases damage caused to DNA, stimulates lymphocyte proliferation.
• Increases the production of T-cell dependent antigen and antibody-producing B-cells.
• Amplifies natural killer cell cytotoxic activity.
• Increases the number of antibody producing cells.
• Has positive effects on enhancing the capacity of both lymphocytes and phagocytes.
• Helps reduce C - reactive protein. 

 

FERTILITY BOOSTER

The reproductive process in men and women involves the production of sperm cells in men and an egg cell in women, this process involves a great deal of oxidative energy and production of high levels of reactive oxygen species.

To combat the potentially harmful effects of reactive oxygen species, the bodies of men and women use a number of antioxidant defense systems, like vitamins, glutathione and superoxide dismutase. This makes it clear that human infertility may be linked to low levels of antioxidants and supplementing with antioxidants could be beneficial for improving fertility.

 

• Astaxanthin prevents peroxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acids in the testicular membrane of men.
• May improve movement of sperm cells and enhance the ability to fertilize eggs.
• Boosts proper blood flow to the ovaries and the amount of antioxidants available for protection against damaging effects of oxidation.
• Excessive ROS produced by leukocytes and immature sperms during rapid sperm proliferation damage sperm DNA. Astaxanthin prevents oxidative damage during the process of spermatogenesis.

 

WHAT IS THE NEED TO SUPPLEMENT WITH ASTAXANTHIN?

While the body produces its own antioxidants to keep ROS under control, the natural defense system grows weaker as individual’s age and may also get compromised due to certain nutritional and lifestyle choices. Supplementing with Astaxanthin helps you achieve superior antioxidant power.

 

WHICH IS A STRONGER ANTIOXIDANT AMONG ASTAXANTHIN, LUTEIN & ZEAXANTHIN?

Astaxanthin is the stronger antioxidant among the three. This because Astaxanthin is a xanthophyll, while lutein and zeaxanthin are carotenes. Xanthophylls contain oxygen atoms in the form of hydroxyl groups while carotenes contain only carbon and hydrogen atoms and lack oxygen atom. The positive energy of its electrons make Astaxanthin more bioactive in our bodies than its closely related family members lutein and Zeaxanthin, beta-carotene and lycopene.

 

WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO CONSUME ASTAXANTHIN?

Since Astaxanthin is lipophilic compound, the best way you can aim for complete assimilation or optimized absorption is by consuming it with or immediately after a meal.

 

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO FIND RESULTS OF ASTAXANTHIN SUPPLEMENT?

Research evidence suggests that people who take natural Astaxanthin feel it or see it working in their bodies within a few months.

 

DOES IT PRODUCE ANY SIDE EFFECTS?

Natural Astaxanthin is completely safe. There are no documented side effects unlike the drugs which have potential side effects.

 

Reference: https://www.hpcimedia.com/images/PDF/BobCapelliBook.pdf

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5946307/

https://www.spandidos-publications.com/10.3892/ijmm.2020.4783