Does the word Astaxanthin sound familiar? For most of you, this may sound like a really odd word. I know the first time I heard it, I said, “Asta-what?”
Astaxanthin is one of nature’s most potent antioxidants, it is what is classified as a caretenoid. It is primarily found in marine life including micro algae, wild salmon, red trout, krill, shrimp, crabs, and lobsters. So if you eat these foods, you’re already consuming this nutrient in some doses. It gives flamingos and salmon their brilliant pink hue.
Astaxanthin is often referred to as the ‘King of the Carotenoids’ and has long been acknowledged as nature’s most powerful antioxidant. In fact, when it comes to antioxidant activity and eliminating free radicals, astaxanthin stacks up way ahead of the pack:
550 times stronger than vitamin E
750 times stronger than CoQ10
6000 times stronger than vitamin C
500 times stronger than catechins (found in green tea)
So what can Astaxanthin do for your skin?
Reduces Signs of Aging
First and foremost, astaxanthin is a potent antioxidant and helps to eliminate free radicals and protect your cells from oxidation, keeping them young and free from damage. So amongst other benefits, taking astaxanthin helps slow down and reduce the visible signs of aging, including wrinkles and age spots, while also improving skin texture and elasticity. In fact, there is quite a bit of evidence that strongly suggests that astaxanthin is nature’s most powerful ant-aging antioxidant! Aside from the normal course of aging, human skin is constantly subjected to environmental attacks which strip away moisture, induce premature wrinkles and increase vulnerability for age-spots.
Environmental factors like sunlight , ozone and other pollutants reduce the skin’s resistance and make skin look older than it really is. A closer look at the mechanism of action reveals that those factors cause excessive levels of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) to build up in skin and inflict damage at a cellular level. One way is to cut down the presence of ROS by topical treatment. Research shows that natural astaxanthin from Haematococcus microalgae is a powerful carotenoid that penetrates skin and protects each dermal layer from ROS related damage.
With that said, here are 5 fun facts about Astaxanthin, showing why it is a game changer in the world of high-performance, natural skincare.
1. Astaxanthin has been shown in clinical studies to increase skin moisture, moisture retention, elasticity, as well as promote skin smoothness, decreasing fine lines and wrinkles.
2. Astaxanthin has incredible UV-blocking properties, which helps to assist the skin in protecting itself against sun-related damage. So long dark spots! Please note: our oil does not have SPF in it – which means you will need to use an SPF in addition to the application of this face oil.
3. While we err on the side of quoting a more conservative study which found Astaxanthin 65 times stronger than Vitamin C in combating free radicals. Another reputable clinical study, has shown “Natural astaxanthin is exceptionally powerful in singlet-oxygen quenching. A 2007 study analyzed several popular antioxidants and their antioxidant power. This study found astaxanthin was 6,000 times stronger than vitamin C, 800 times stronger than CoQ10, 550 times stronger than green tea catechins and 75 times stronger than alpha lipoic acid.”
4. Astaxanthin can neutralize multiple free radicals at once, protecting your skin and body from oxidation, damage, and inflammation.
5. Astaxanthin has been proven to increase blood flow, meaning that it will help your skin to have better circulation. Increased circulation has various benefits, including increased cell turnover, amplified elasticity, and increased water retention.
In addition to all these amazing skin-related benefits, Astaxanthin can be taken as a supplement. There are a spate of clinical studies which demonstrates how it can increase energy, strength, eye health, and brain health, to name a few. (note: we at Alexia Rocha Aesthetics do not claim our products will lead to any of these benefits, but it’s interesting to read about) Needless to say, we can’t get enough of this transformative antioxidant!
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Powerful Anti-inflammatory
Astaxanthin helps to reduce the levels of inflammation in the body. Inflammation is currently at the heart of so many different diseases in our society including diabetes, heart disease, and arthritis. Doing all you can to avoid it is a must, and astaxanthin can help you do just that! Astaxanthin is actually as beneficial, if not more so than some of the medications used to treat chronic diseases, the only difference is that astaxanthin is 100% natural so comes with no risk of unwanted side effects.
Together with its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, astaxanthin also supports joint health and can help prevent degenerative brain conditions.
Many people also find that astaxanthin also works as a great pain reliever as well. It helps to block the chemicals in the body that are then relayed to the brain and convert into the sensation of pain, so by blocking these, you reduce your level of pain – and that’s always a good thing.
Increase Energy & Endurance
Astaxanthin can help boost your endurance levels as well. Just as it helped those ocean creatures to swim upstream, it with help you run that extra mile on the track or get in that extra rep on your bench press set.
As is well known, exercise produces free radicals and oxidative stress. So the better your body’s ability to eliminate free radicals, the faster you can recover from your workout sessions. Taken in pure form, Astaxanthin can help to improve recovery, boost endurance, and improve strength and energy levels.
Other Benefits
It’s important to never take your eyesight for granted. Along with not reading in the dark and going for regular check-ups, astaxanthin can also help keep those peepers in their best condition. Astaxanthin may help to reduce macular degeneration, eye strain, as well as eye fatigue when used on a daily basis.
In addition, many women find astaxanthin especially beneficial for reducing the discomfort of monthly PMS symptoms. So if you are a woman who is suffering from this a few days a month, it’s most definitely something you should consider.
There are so many benefits to be had from including astaxanthin in your diet plan. While you can attempt to get it from food sources naturally, you may find it hard to get in enough of what you need, so you’ll find it far easier if you simply use supplements instead. Supplementation offers astaxanthin in its most pure and natural form, so you’ll get a concentrated dose quickly and easily.
So as you can see, astaxanthin is definitely a supplement that shouldn't be overlooked!
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