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FUNCTION:
1. Antioxidant
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 been linked to improved blood flow, and lowering oxidative stress in smokers and overweight people.
A comparison study of astaxanthin and other carotenoids showed that it displayed the highest
antioxidant activity against free radicals.
2. Cancer
Because of its antioxidant properties, there has been a lot of research on how astaxanthin might help
to treat various cancers. One study found short- and long-term benefits
for the treatment of breast cancer, including reduced growth of breast cancer cells.
The high cost of purified astaxanthin has limited its use in further studies and cancer treatments.
3. The skin
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.
4. Exercise supplement
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 use of fatty acids, which helps endurance,
and prevent muscle and skeletal damage.
So far, however, evidence for its effects on human exercise is still lacking.
One study using human subjects found no exercise benefits from astaxanthin
supplements in relation to muscle injury.
5. Heart health
Researchers are also looking into claims that astaxanthin can benefit heart health.
A 2006 study examined astaxanthin's effects on rats with hypertension (high blood pressure),
and results indicated that it may help to improve elastin levels and arterial wall thickness.
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.
6. Joint pain
Astaxanthin may also have a future in the treatment of joint pain, including conditions like rheumatoid arthritis,
which affects nearly one in every five Americans, and carpal tunnel syndrome.
However, results so far have been mixed.
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