Studies are showing that there are many astaxanthin health benefits. Astaxanthin is a substance in the carotenoid family, and also the source for the pink color of salmon and other sea animals. Researchers are finding that like all other carotenoids, astaxanthin is a strong antioxidant. It has also been found to boost the immune response and help protect healthy young women from DNA damage.
Natural Remedies
As we face a world with modern medicine practices changing every day and advancing we seem to be getting sicker and sicker. Each time we feel ill we run to the doctor and get advice on how to cure ourselves and most likely are given a prescription to cure what ails us. We find ourselves in trouble because of pollution, environment contamination, and quality of food, bad diet and medicines that may not solve the problem, but put a band aid on it. We need to be able to help heal our own bodies naturally. The body is meant to heal itself and if we help make our bodies stronger and healthier we can solve our own problems without the help of modern medicine. The best way to fight is to do whatever it takes to keep your body healthy and when you feel something, look at natural remedies for a cure. One place to look is the supplement astaxanthin, which is helps boost the immune system.
Where Does Astaxanthin Come From
Astaxanthin comes from an algae that is commonly consumed by fish and crustaceans that provides their pink color. It occurs naturally in nature. Astaxanthin is a pigment and it will give the color in the organisms that take it. Many things in nature that have a pink or reddish tint to it, fruits and flowers, are provided their color by the absorption of astaxanthin. Fish, Birds and insects that eat foods that are rich in astaxanthin will also show coloring from the pigment. Plants, microalgae and bacteria produce astaxanthin naturally. Astaxanthin health benefits all come from nature.
Requirements and Dosage to Create Astaxanthin Health Benefits
Astaxanthin is not considered an essential nutrient but with safe doses it could show benefits. Salmon is a great source of astaxanthin and with a normal sized serving it will provide 4-5 mg. Lobster, shrimp, crabs, crawfish and other crustaceans are very high in astaxanthin. Astaxanthin health benefits come from doses ranging from 4-16mg daily. Some research is reporting that it is easier to absorb when it is consumed in an oily base.
Therapeutic Uses
Many claims of astaxanthin health benefits are based on the fact that it has shown to be a great antioxidant. Studies have also been reported that it could regulate inflammation, immune response and oxidative damage. Other studies have given astaxanthin combined with another carotenoid Lutein as a possible way for enhancing recovery from extreme exercise helping to reduce soreness or signs of any muscle injury. Researches have also tested men to see if there are any astaxanthin health benefits for the use in treating infertility. They were given 16 mg of astaxanthin daily for three month and the results showed possible increases. Additional studies claim that astaxanthin is also a way to reduce blood pressure, prevent heart disease, fight stomach ulcers, reduce macular degeneration, and also protect you from cataracts. At this point in time, none of these have been proven to be astaxanthin health benefit.
Safety Concerns
Astaxanthin is a widely used nutritional supplement and there may be some astaxanthin health benefits for you, but with anything that you put into your body there is a sign of caution. Follow dosage guidelines and ask a doctor before taking if you are pregnant or nursing to receive the full astaxanthin health benefits.