Astaxanthin the most powerful antioxidant on Earth

A potent super antioxidant astaxanthin (pronounced “asta-ZAN-thin”)

Astaxanthin producing micro-algae natures super antioxidant rich superfood!

is found in abundance in wild salmon, (a pigment from the marine micro-algae an important part of the food chain and a main component the diet of shell fish like krill, lobster, shrimp, and crabs [which becomes concentrated in the flesh of  salmon]) responsible for the characteristic pink coloring of salmon and even the bright plumage of flamingos comes from a diet rich in this powerful carotinoid.  Astaxanthin fights free radicals to keep your skin smooth, protects your immune system and maintains a healthy body .

Free radicals are the toxic by-products (large electrically positive charged molecules which can include environmental poisons; the pollutants in the air we breathe, the water we drink, harmful pesticides and other dangerous substances in our food supply and in prescription drugs too; [which are highly toxic]) these substances trigger chronic internal inflammation, which leads to a host of problems such as: heart disease, weight gain, diabetes and other chronic diseases commonly associated with aging. Concerning the skin, free radicals promote wrinkles and contribute to destruction of collagen. The component responsible for keeping skin young and healthy looking is collagen. which promotes its suppleness and elasticity as well. Antioxidants are the substances necessary to neutralize free radicals, protecting against the damage that may occur from peroxidation, helping to repair it and reducing and/ or eliminating inflammation due to cellular peroxidation.

The antioxidant properties of astaxanthin are extremely powerful. As compared to other antioxidants like vitamin E or vitamin C, astaxanthin is somewhere between 60 and 100 times more potent in terms of its ability to eliminate free radicals.  Astaxanthin’s antioxidant qualities not only eliminate and neutralize free radical, it assists in the  prevention of inflammatory processes.

Astaxanthin anti-inflammatory carotinoid & powerful Eye Support Nutrient 

Astaxanthin is a carotenoid; a colorful, lipid-soluble pigment found in microalgae, salmon, trout, and crustaceans such as krill, lobster, shrimp, and crayfish.

Astaxanthin is a carotenoid similar to beta carotene the orange pigment found in carrots. Astaxanthin belongs to an extensive class of phytochemicals know as terpenes and is classified as part of the xanthophyll group, meaning ~ yellow leaves, however its pigment is a bright red color at a certain stage of its development. Astaxanthin comes from the micro-algae that is an important nutrient for salmon. Utilized as an anti-inflammatory and super potent antioxidant in the form of a nutraceutical supplement astaxanthin is an incredible substance extracted from these same types of algae, and concentrated in a form the human body can utilize. Since astaxanthin is an oil soluble carotenoid for maximum transport and delivery of its pigment content, it is best taken with a meal rich in lipids such as salmon, or other fish, algaes, coconut or other oil rich foods and supplements such as fish oil, krill oil, cod liver oil, olive, flax, hemp or chia seeds which are all high in omega oils.

Additional health benefits of Astaxanthin supplementation include: promotion of improved eye health and prevention of eye related diseases. Touted as the ultimate carotenoid for eye health and blindness prevention; astaxanthin supplementation is an effective preventative for addressing an array of eye diseases including: age related macular degeneration, diabetic neuropathy, cystoid macular edema, central retinal arterial, venous occlusion, and glaucoma.

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Astaxanthin Nature’s Super-Antioxidant
A Potent Eye Support Nutrient

 Health Benefits & Effects of Carotenoids on the Eyes

When you were growing up, chances are good you heard the adage; “Eat your carrots ~ their good for your eyes!” There is some truth to that old saying, as carrots contain beta-carotene/ carotenoids ~  important nutrients for optimal eye health. Vitamin A, in nutritional science referred to as retinol is converted in the body to retinal (retinaldehyde) the form, of vitamin A is essential for promoting eye health, and this substance is vital to the protection, functioning and optimal health of the retina. The result of a  diet without it, could result in vision impairment or even blindness. Vitamin A is readily available from a healthy diet rich in leafy greens and vegetables. Retinol is ingested in a precursor form; animal sources such as liver and eggs contain retinyl esters, whereas plant based sources like carrots or spinach contain pro-vitamin A carotenoids (these may be considered as simply vitamin A). The hydrolysis of retinyl esters results in production of retinol, while pro-vitamin A carotenoids such as beta-carotene can be cleaved to produce retinal by carotene dioxygenase, an enzyme present in the intestinal mucosa.

Of all the carotenoids, only zeaxanthin and lutein are found in your retina, which has the highest concentration of fatty acids of any tissue in your body. This is due to the fact that your retina is in a highly light saturated and oxygen rich environment, and it requires a substantial force of free radical scavengers to prevent oxidative damage from occurring.

Oregon State University ~ Linus Pauling Institute Micronutrient Research for Optimum Health – Link below for more information on Vitamin A & Carotenoids 

http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/infocenter/phytochemicals/carotenoids/

Currently recognized concepts concerning eye health held in opthalmology are; that your body concentrates zeaxanthin and lutein in your retina to perform the function of preventing oxidative damage to tissues within the structure of the eye especially the retina. The concentration of these two essential pigments in the macula of your retina are what gives it its characteristic yellow hue. The actual  term for the macula is  the macula lutea which simply means “yellow spot.”

Astaxanthin ~ Carotenoids for optimal eye health

Astaxanthin crosses the blood-brain/ retina barriers, as do zeaxanthin and lutein. Of note is the fact regarding the eyes’ preference for and concentration of  zeaxanthin over lutein in the central macular retinal or fovea, where the greatest amount of light interfaces with the receptor tissues involved in vision; and zeaxanthin is the primary catalyst involved. Zeaxanthin is the superior effective singlet oxygen scavenger more so than lutein. The body naturally understands and acts upon this process and accumulates the best source of carotinoid available and utilizes it where it is needed the most!

The Major Causes of Blindness: Macular Degeneration and Cataracts

Science is now revealing that astaxanthin may be the ULTIMATE carotenoid for optimal eye health and prevention of blindness. Blindness is an enormous problem worldwide. The following statistics reveal a startling cluster of facts and disturbing trends related to vision health!

• Age-related macular degeneration is the major cause of blindness for people over the age of 50.
• Sixty million people suffer from age-related macular degeneration  worldwide, over 10 million people have lost their vision, and have been irreparably affected by this preventable affliction.
• Severe, irreversible vision impairment affects approximately 30 percent of the population over age 55.
• Cataracts are a major source of blindness, exceeding more than 20 million people affected in the U.S. The cause of cataracts is associated with lipid peroxidation of the epithelial layer of the lens. Cataracts can have other causes, most are related to aging and contributing factors that can be due to poor diet.
• Diagnosis of cataracts result in 3 million preventable cataract surgeries every year.

Clinical studies indicate photic injury from the cumulative effects of repeated photic damage and the resulting gradual loss of photoreceptor cells is a major cause of age-related macular degeneration. Any preventative measures taken against photic damage will reduce associated risks for developing macular degeneration as one ages.

Astaxanthin for Protecting the Retina

Vitamin C can be a powerful defense against retinal damage and gives added protection from excessive light energy. High levels of vitamin C are found in human retinal tissue and is a built in agent specifically designed for protecting the eyes. This common nutrient cannot always perform the job with out the assistance of other protecting substances such as carotinoids.

The retina is an area which is rich in pigments!

Epidemiological studies have shown that diets high in carotenoids (especially lutein and zeaxanthin) are associated with a reduced risk of cataracts and age-related macular degeneration. It has also been shown experimentally that regular consumption of lutein supplements can increase your macular pigment density, which may potentially reduce your risk for later development of age-related macular degeneration.

Astaxanthin a potent source of pigmentation for protecting & improving eye health!

Scientists have studied the affects supplementing lutein, zeaxanthin, canthaxanthin, and astaxanthin for their respective abilities to protect the retina. None of the other carotinoids functions with the effectiveness or to the high degree of performance which astaxanthin demonstrates; in terms of potency as an antioxidant/ free radical scavenger and/or its permeability across the blood-brain/ retina barrier.

In clinical studies, canthaxanthin was found potentially damaging to the eye causing eye inclusions, which can potentially lead to retinopathy. Completely ruling out this carotenoid as a supplement for protecting vision health.

Dr. Mark Tso of the Wilmer Eye Institute at Johns Hopkins University has clearly demonstrated that astaxanthin is the undefeated champion when it comes to protecting your eyes. Dr. Tso demonstrated that astaxanthin is affectively transported across the retinal boundery into the tissues of the eye performing its corollary effects safely and delivering a greater potency of antioxidant protective substances than any of the other carotenoids, without any side effects or adverse reactions. It is precisely by this factor, that Dr. Tso ascertained that astaxanthin has the capacity to ameliorate or prevent light induced damage, photoreceptor cell damage, ganglion cell damage, and damage to the neurons of the inner retinal layers. As a result of his investigation Dr. Tso concluded that astaxanthin supplementation could be effective in preventing and/ or addressing an array of eye diseases, including:

• Age-related macular degeneration
• Diabetic neuropathy
• Cystoid macular edema
• Central retinal arterial and venous occlusion
• Glaucoma
• Inflammatory eye diseases

Various researchers (Shimidzu et al, Bagchi, Martin et al, and Beutner) in subsequent studies confirmed Dr. Tso’s findings that astaxanthin is the most powerful antioxidant ever discovered for eye health, extending to the eyes an increased level of vision protection, the ability to reduce or eliminate inflammation and provide the powerful and integrative substance to potentate regenerative processes.

More to come on this amazing gift from nature soon! Astaxanthin your solution for many chronic degenerative diseases.