Astaxanthin
Nutraceutical
Anti-inflammatory | Antioxidants | Cardiovascular Health and Cholesterol | Eye Health | Tonics - Energetics - Sport |
Astaxanthin is a molecule belonging to carotenoids family; it is produced by phytoplankton and unicellular microalgae like Haematococcus pluvialis and it is then found downstream in the food chain in shrimps, zooplankton, crustaceans, fishes (like salmons) and birds. H. pluvialis uses astaxanthin literally as a shield against dangerous UV radiations, to protect fragile cellular structures from oxidative damage caused by light irradiation.
In various superior organisms, including humans, astaxanthin exerts a very peculiar and specific antioxidant function: due to its amphipathic chemical structure (lipophylic in the middle and polar at the sides) astaxanthin is positioned within cellular membranes (parallel to phospholipids) and it is capable of scavenging free radicals that can damage macromolecules both superficially and deep in the lipid double layer. Astaxanthin also possesses well known anti-inflammatory properties, inhibiting NF-kB signalling pathway.
Astaxanthin’s health benefits are scientifically supported and cover a wide range of areas: brain and CNS, cardiovascular health, skin health (through both topic and systemic actions) and eyes health. Significant effects have also been demonstrated in sports performance.