Astaxanthin
What is astaxanthin?
Astaxanthin is a red pigment belonging to the antioxidant family. More specifically, it is a polyphenol classified as a xanthophyll carotenoid.
It is found in crustaceans, shrimp, lobsters, certain wild fish as well as in the flesh of certain animals and also in plants with a red coloration.
Astaxanthin is surrounded by a protein that will only be released under the effect of heat; this can be seen by experimenting with cooking shellfish. Shrimp turn pink under the effect of heat, when cooked. It is the astaxanthin contained in shrimp that gives them this color.
Contained in the flesh of wild salmon, it gives it the strength to take on the feat of swimming up rivers against the current, in order to reach an area suitable for reproduction.
Astaxanthin is also present in large quantities in the algae Haematococus pluvialis. It will give a pinkish-red color to fish that eat it.
Astaxanthin pigment: natural or chemical?
We're talking about natural astaxanthin here, but let's be careful because a chemical and synthetic form also exists. This pigment, manufactured by the petrochemical industry, is of much lesser value than the natural pigment.
The world-famous red pigment
Asians and Americans have been major consumers of the pigment astaxanthin for a long time.
Top athletes in the United States and movie stars recommend the pigment for its effects. Many American brand ambassadors speak about astaxanthin.
Some cosmetic creams also incorporate the pigment into their compositions.
Although it is still relatively unknown in Europe, we have noticed that interest has been growing strongly in recent years when we take into account the results of studies carried out and when we question people who regularly take cures and share their experiences.
The benefits of the pigment astaxanthin
The benefits of this small red pigment are numerous and remarkable. They are due to the presence of Vitamin E, which helps protect cells against oxidative stress.
Oxidative stress, or oxidation, is caused by the creation of free radicals. It is the source of cellular aging and results in the appearance of genes, pain, inflammation, or age-related pathologies (AMD, etc.).
Who can take an astaxanthin cure?
The pigment astaxanthin is of interest to everyone, and particularly to people concerned about aging well, athletes who play intensively on an outdoor playing field...
This pigment in its natural form, that is to say derived from the algae Haematococus pluvialis, containing vitamin E, is a recommended solution for people seeking to protect their organs naturally against the risk of oxidation.
There are no known contraindications, toxicity, or side effects associated with taking astaxanthin. The 1- to 3-month course can be repeated.
Some brands recommend an average of 2 capsules/day for 2 months.
Studies show results from a consumption of 4mg per day of astaxanthin.
Soluble in fats, it is best to take the capsules during a meal to make the pigments more assimilable and thus benefit even more from the benefits.
Who can take an astaxanthin cure?
The pigment astaxanthin is of interest to everyone, and particularly to people who are concerned about aging well; athletes who play intensively on an outdoor playing field; people who are sensitive to the sun and who face sun allergies every summer; people who work for long periods in front of screens and who suffer from visual fatigue and dry eyes, etc.
This pigment in its natural form, that is to say derived from the algae Haematococus pluvialis, is a recommended solution for people seeking to protect their organs naturally against the risk of oxidation:
- The brain
- The eyes
- The skin
- The joints
There are no known contraindications, toxicity, or side effects associated with taking astaxanthin. The 1- to 3-month course can be repeated.
Some brands recommend an average of 2 capsules/day for 2 months.
Studies show results from a consumption of 4mg per day of astaxanthin.
Soluble in fats, it is best to take the capsules during a meal to make the pigments more assimilable and thus benefit even more from the benefits.