|
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Astaxanthin?
Astaxanthin, a member of the carotenoid family, is an oxygenated pigment called a xanthophyll. It is a fat-soluble nutrient
with a molecular weight of 596.8 Da and a long, double-bonded polyene chain with a six-membered ring polar (water-loving) end group. Its unique molecular structure gives it superior
antioxidant capacity.
What is the source of the ingredient Astaxanthin?
It is an all-natural, renewable material extracted from microalgae grown on the Kona Coast of Hawaii, using a nontraditional,
proprietary method. The extract contains no organic solvents, and is characterized and standardized to ensure the highest quality.
How does our Astaxanthin differ from other forms of Astaxanthin?
Our Astaxanthin brand begins with the most highly concentrated natural source of astaxanthin, Haematococcus pluvialis
microalgae. This source is far more concentrated than other sources of astaxanthin as shown below:
|
Microalgae
Yeast up to
Crustaceans up to
Salmon
|
15,000-20,000 ppm
800 ppm
400 ppm
3-40 ppm
|
|
Astaxanthin is then extracted from the microalgae to further increase the concentration to 10.0% or 100,000 ppm.
Astaxanthin is more stable than the microalgae because the extracted
Astaxanthin Complex is better protected within the oleoresin matrix than in the dry form of the microalgae meal. The esterified form of Astaxanthin (as in
the microalgae) also contributes to stability; an advantage over extracts of crustaceans, which are not as highly esterified.
In addition, Astaxanthin is also in the same isomeric form found in the most
common source consumed by humans – salmon. Astaxanthin found in the yeast, Pfaffia is in the opposite form, and synthetic astaxanthin is a mixture of both forms.
Astaxanthin is a natural complex of carotenoids including astaxanthin,
beta-carotene, lutein and canthaxanthin in its own natural oil containing small amounts of omega 3 and 6 fatty acids (essential fatty acids). This complex
provides a more desirable group of carotenoids than a single dietary ingredient.
Is there scientific support for astaxanthin in the research literature?
Yes. There is a substantial body of literature including in vitro studies,
preclinical studies and several human clinical trials. These data consistently suggest that Astaxanthin, with its unique molecular structure and resulting
potent antioxidant activity, may be an effective therapeutic modality for a variety of conditions, including cardiovascular, immune, anti-inflammatory, and
neurodegenerative. A bibliography is available upon request.
Have clinical studies been conducted for astaxanthin?
There have been numerous preclinical in vivo and in vitro studies and several
human clinical trials to evaluate the efficacy of astaxanthin. A double-blind, placebo-controlled study demonstrated that astaxanthin was found to
significantly increase strength and endurance. Another clinical study shows that astaxanthin alleviates symptoms in patients with H. pylori (pre-ulcer
indigestion). A third clinical study demonstrated bioavailability in humans. Additional human clinical studies are being sponsored.
What are the major benefits associated with Astaxanthin?
- Inhibits lipid peroxidation at the cell level, thus protecting the cell
membrane and the mitochondrial membrane within the cell.
- Crosses the blood-brain barrier, which makes it available to the eye,
brain and central nervous system to alleviate oxidative stress that contributes to ocular, and neurodegenerative diseases such as glaucoma and Alzheimer's.
- Provides significantly more antioxidant capacity than other carotenoids
and antioxidants such as beta-carotene and Vitamin E.
- Entraps free radicals by adding them to its long, double-bonded chain rather than donating an electron.
- Stabilizes the cell membrane like a bridge because its polar end groups
span the cell membrane, thus increasing its rigidity and mechanical strength.
- Neutralizes singlet and triplet oxygen (de-charges) generated by UVA and UVB radiation and other sources.
- Binds to a lipoprotein, an efficient transport vehicle, making it more bioavailable.
- Increases immune system function including heightened production of
antibody-secreting cells and Interleukin 2 and suppression of Interferon-gamma.
- Inhibits reactive oxygen species that cause inflammation.
- Enhances the antioxidant actions of Vitamin E and Vitamin C and
encourages the release of Vitamin A from the liver when needed.
- Astaxanthin very likely increases cell gap junctional communication, a mechanism thought to inhibit cancer.
Why is Astaxanthin considered the "ultimate" antioxidant?
Astaxanthin has 100-500 times the antioxidant capacity of Vitamin E and 10 times the antioxidant capacity of beta-carotene. Many laboratory studies also
indicate astaxanthin is a stronger antioxidant than lutein, lycopene and tocotrienols.
How does Astaxanthin work in the body?
After ingestion, Astaxanthin is absorbed by the duodenal mucosa and transported to the liver where it binds with a lipoprotein for transport through
the body to the cells. The polar end groups attach to the outer and inner side of the cell membrane, where free radical attack first occurs. The hydroxy and
carbonyl groups in astaxanthin help to anchor this molecule to the cell membrane, thus strengthening it.
Astaxanthin is an oxygenated carotenoid called a xanthophyll. Because it is
oxygenated, a xanthophyll has greater antioxidant capacity than many other carotenoids. Within the xanthophylls, the astaxanthin molecule contains the
longest conjugated, double-bond polyene chain along with both hydroxy and carbonyl groups at each end. This configuration supports the greatest
antioxidant capacity, its peroxyl radical chain-breaking abilities, its incorporation of free radicals into its polyene chain (thereby more effectively
trapping them), and its enhancement of Vitamin C as an antioxidant. While other carotenoids and antioxidants may perform one or two of these
functions, astaxanthin does them all and, in most cases, does them better.
In addition to entrapping free radicals, astaxanthin also de-charges singlet
and triplet oxygen and inhibits reactive oxygen, giving it anti-inflammatory properties. Astaxanthin may also increase gap junctional communication
between cells, which is a mechanism in the body thought to inhibit the growth of cancer cells.
What is the cell membrane bilayer?
The cell membrane is constructed of two layers of lipid (fat) molecules, resulting in the name "lipid bilayer." The lipid molecules are polar
(water-loving) on one end and non-polar on the other. They line up so that the non-polar center of the membrane is inside of the polar outer edges,
which are in contact with the water-based material inside and outside of the cell.
What is the importance of the blood-brain barrier?
The blood-brain barrier is a very dense network of tight capillary walls (5 nanometers between cells) that are wrapped around the capillaries of the
brain to prevent harmful bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other substances from entering the brain while allowing neurotransmitters and nutrients that nourish
the brain to cross. These nutrients include growth factors, water, fat-soluble molecules less than 600 Da, oxygen and carbon dioxide.
What indications does astaxanthin have for human use?
Is Astaxanthin safe?
Preclinical studies demonstrate that astaxanthin is safe. There are no known side effects.
Should I replace other dietary supplements with Astaxanthin?
Astaxanthin enhances the action of Vitamin C and Vitamin E and increases the
release of Vitamin A from the liver. On a weight basis astaxanthin has about 10 times the antioxidant activity of other carotenoids such as lutein,
zeaxanthin, canthaxanthin and beta-carotene, and is about 100 to 500 times greater than alpha-tocopherol. Astaxanthin compliments and enhances the effects of other dietary supplements.
What is the recommended dosage?
The recommended dosage of 1 mg twice per day is similar on a weight basis
to current doses for beta-carotene and alpha-tocopherol. The recommended dose is one half of that used in the Malmsten human clinical study in which
astaxanthin was found to increase strength and endurance threefold.
|
