Under the sea
Fish oil with omega-3 fatty acids isn’t the only thing from the ocean that can improve function in the human body. Astaxanthin is a carotenoid pigment that occurs in trout, microalgae, yeast, and shrimp, among other sea creatures. It’s most commonly found in Pacific salmon and is what gives the fish its pinkish color.
An antioxidant, astaxanthin is said to have many health benefits. It’s been linked to healthier skin, endurance, heart health, joint pain, and may even have a future in cancer treatment.
As you may be aware, antioxidants are good for you. Astaxanthin’s antioxidant properties provide the main source of the health claims and benefits of the supplement, particularly when used to help treat cancer.
It’s
Because of its antioxidant properties, there has been a lot of research on how astaxanthin might help to treat various cancers.
The high cost of purified astaxanthin has limited its use in further studies and cancer treatments.
Astaxanthin can be used topically to promote healthy skin. A 2012 study showed that combining topical and oral doses of astaxanthin can help to smooth wrinkles, make age spots smaller, and help maintain skin moisture. There were positive results in both men and women, but more study is needed to confirm these findings.
There has been a lot of study on how astaxanthin can affect endurance, as well as fatigue levels after exercise. Studies on mice show that it can boost the body’s
So far, however, evidence for its effects on human exercise is still lacking.
Researchers are also looking into claims that astaxanthin can benefit heart health. A
Other claims include the notion that astaxanthin can prevent heart disease and help lower cholesterol, but there isn’t sufficient evidence to support these uses yet.
Astaxanthin may also have a future in the treatment of joint pain, including conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, which affects
Some studies show that astaxanthin may be able to reduce inflammation and pain symptoms related to arthritis. However, a
In a
The researchers saw improvements in sperm parameters, like count and motility, and improved fertility in the group who received a strong dosage of astaxanthin. As this was a relatively small-scale study, more evidence and research is needed to support this claim.
While the jury’s still out on some of these health claims, you can be sure that — being an antioxidant — astaxanthin is good for you.
To benefit from its antioxidant properties, try to eat some salmon once or twice a week. For instance, grilled salmon is perfect for a light dinner.
Choose whole foods as your first option for getting required nutrients. Astaxanthin is available in supplement form, but the U.S. Food and Drug Administration doesn’t monitor the manufacture or sale of supplements or herbs.