Astaxanthin: The Ultimate Antioxidant

By Olivia Mungal
What is Astaxanthin?

To date, scientists have discovered over 700 carotenoids. In nature, carotenoids are what give flowers, fruits, vegetables, and even animals their vibrant colors. Beta carotene, for example, gives carrots their bright orange color. Astaxanthin is not only a rich antioxidant, but a deep red pigment- the same one found in crabs and lobsters.



Astaxanthin is naturally created by microalgae, called the Haematoccous pluvialis, and are harvested by fish, krill oil, lobsters, crab, crawfish, and salmon who eat this type of microalgae. Although the substance is naturally occurring, it is not easily obtainable. Luckily, Scientists and manufacturers

Shellfish are a natural source of astaxanthin

have found ways to harvest this compound and dramatically enhance its potency to use in supplements.

Astaxanthin Health Benefits

Asaxanthin is a powerful antioxidant known for “singlet oxygen quenching”, the process that neutralizes a less-stable form of oxygen, which causes oxidative damage to our cells. Astaxanthin has been shown to be 550 times more potent than vitamin E at neutralizing singlet oxygen in order to reverse the damaging effects of ultraviolet (UV) radiation on the skin. Scientists have also found it to be 54 times more potent than beta-carotene, making astaxanthin essential for eye health.

Amazingly, Astaxanthin is one of the few compounds that are able to cross through the blood-brain barrier as well as the blood-retinal barrier, offering major benefits to eye health. Unlike other antioxidants like beta carotene and lycopene, astaxanthin is able to protect the brain, central nervous system and eyes from free radicals and reduces inflammation.

Astaxanthin x400

There is evidence that astaxanthin can help improve cholesterol profiles by decreasing low density lipoprotein (LDL, also known as “bad” cholesterol) and triglycerides, and by increasing high density lipoprotein (HDL, or “good” cholesterol), as well as lower blood pressure, making it revolutionary for heart health, as well.