(NaturalNews) For years, I've been a strong proponent of astaxanthin, a remarkable nutrient sometimes called "King of the carotenoids!" Derived from microalgae (and also found in wild salmon), astaxanthin is on my list as one of the top three most important nutrients for human health. I take an astaxanthin supplement (BioAstin) every day.
Today, I bring you a collection of quotes from authors talking about this amazing nutrient. And yet this collection barely scratches the surface of the whole story on
astaxanthin. You may wish to read my full report on this nutrient here:
http://www.naturalnews.com/023177.htmlYou might also be interested in downloading a professionally-written
summary of a fantastic book on astaxanthin. It's a free download, and you can read about how to get it here:
http://www.naturalnews.com/024521.htmlThere are two sources I recommend for astaxanthin. Both are revealed below these quotes. For the record, I have no financial ties whatsoever to astaxanthin manufacturers or retailers.
Authors' Quotes on Astaxanthin
Below, you'll find selected quotes from noted authors on the subject of Astaxanthin. Feel free to quote these in your own work provided you give proper credit to both the original author quoted here and this
NaturalNews page.
The study found that mice that were fed
astaxanthin and then run on a treadmill until exhaustion suffered less heart damage than mice that were similarly exercised without
astaxanthin supplementation. On examination, they found
astaxanthin concentrated in the mice's hearts. They concluded that
astaxanthin can decrease
exercise induced damage in the heart as well as in the skeletal muscle (Aoi, et al, 2003). At the Medical College of Wisconsin, another animal study with
rats showed cardio-protective attributes for
astaxanthin. In this study,
astaxanthin was given to rats prior to heart attacks.
-
ASTAXANTHIN: Natural Astaxanthin, King of the Carotenoids by Bob Capelli-
Available on Amazon.comAnother nutrient that's excellent for
eye protection and reduces the harm caused by excessive
ultraviolet radiation is
astaxanthin, now offered by a number of nutritional
supplement companies.
Astaxanthin also works as an internal nutritional sunscreen and actually boosts your skin's tolerance to ultraviolet
radiation. It's one of my secrets for avoiding sunburn and getting a nice tan, even when I naturally have very white
skin. Astaxanthin's protective
benefits also extend to the
eyes and the entire nervous system.
-
Natural Health Solutions by Mike Adams-
Available on Amazon.comThe carotenoids lutein and
zeaxanthin are normally found in the eyes.
Astaxanthin is not. We spoke very briefly about groundbreaking work done by Dr. Mark Tso of the University of Illinois. Dr. Tso was the first person to prove that
astaxanthin can cross the blood-brain and blood-retinal barriers. He took laboratory rats and tested their eyes for
astaxanthin. As expected, he did not find any present. Then he fed the rats
astaxanthin and retested, this time finding
astaxanthin present in the retina.
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ASTAXANTHIN: Natural Astaxanthin, King of the Carotenoids by Bob Capelli-
Available on Amazon.comYou probably never heard of
astaxanthin, but it's the main carotenoid pigment found in aquatic
animals and is responsible for giving
salmon their pink color. The thing of it is, salmon get most of their
astaxanthin from dining on crustaceans like
shrimp. Why should you care? Because this red-orange pigment, closely related to other well-known carotenoids like
beta-carotene and lutein, has stronger
antioxidant activity than either of them (ten times higher than beta-carotene, in fact).
-
The 150 Healthiest Foods on Earth: The Surprising, Unbiased Truth About What You Should Eat and Why by Jonny Bowden, Ph.D., C.N.S.-
Available on Amazon.comAstaxanthin suppresses production of prostaglandin (PGE2) 1 mg/kg, 10 mg/kg, 100 mg/kg
astaxanthin concentration. PROSTAGLANDIN E-2 Measurement of the
anti-inflammatory action of
astaxanthin in Upopoly saccharide (LPS) induced
inflammation in rats, as measured by tumor necrosis factor and prostaglandin E-2. And comnared with the anti-inflammatory drugs orednisolone (Oheami. et al. 2003).
Astaxanthin suppresses production of Nitric Oxide (NO) LPS 1 mg/kg, 10 mg/kg, 100mg/kg Predn.
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ASTAXANTHIN: Natural Astaxanthin, King of the Carotenoids by Bob Capelli-
Available on Amazon.comYou might also find antioxidant complexes with ingredients such as grapeseed extract, pine bark, blueberry extract, zeaxanthin, and
astaxanthin.
Astaxanthin, derived from
algae, is believed to be several hundred times more effective than vitamin E in neutralizing
free radicals. Where minerals are concerned, in addition to the macrominerals (those needed in large amounts), such as calcium and
magnesium, you'll also want to select a formula that has a wide range of trace
minerals (those needed in small quantities), such as
selenium, vanadium, chromium, boron, and iodine.
-
The Detox Strategy: Vibrant Health in 5 Easy Steps by Brenda Watson and Leonard Smith-
Available on Amazon.comBecause organisms like many Astaxanthin-containing algae and plankton are the base of the
food chain,
astaxanthin can be found in many animals as well. Any sea animal that has a reddish or pinkish color contains
natural astaxanthin. For example, you can find
astaxanthin in salmon, trout, lobster, shrimp and crab. These animals eat
krill and other organisms that ingest Astaxanthin-containing algae and plankton as a major part of their diets. And since lots of different animals such as birds, bears and even humans eat these sea animals, you can find
astaxanthin in all sorts of places.
-
ASTAXANTHIN: Natural Astaxanthin, King of the Carotenoids by Bob Capelli-
Available on Amazon.comThe antioxidant powers of fatty
fish come from a substance called
astaxanthin. This antioxidant hunts down and destroys free radicals that might damage cells in your
body. When animals with lymphoma, a type of
cancer, were given fish oil and the amino acid arginine, they lived longer and had longer periods without the
disease than animals who were not treated. In addition, researchers have found that omega-3 can slow the growth of
cancers, the exact opposite of what they found for omega-6, which can help cancers grow. But
astaxanthin does even more.
-
Eat and Heal (Foods That Can Prevent or Cure Many Common Ailments) by the Editors of FC&A Medical Publishing-
Available on Amazon.comWild salmon get their gorgeous pink
color from eating krill and shrimp, which are high in a natural pigment called
astaxanthin.
Astaxanthin is a member of the carotenoid family - in fact, it has ten times the antioxidant activity of beta-carotene. (Dr. Steve Sinatra mentioned
astaxanthin as one of his reasons for including
wild salmon on his top ten list). But
farmed salmon don't get to eat krill and shrimp. They get their color a completely different way.
-
The 150 Healthiest Foods on Earth: The Surprising, Unbiased Truth About What You Should Eat and Why by Jonny Bowden, Ph.D., C.N.S.-
Available on Amazon.comRecent studies, however, have shown that the
carotenoids,
astaxanthin, and
lutein - neither of which are converted to vitamin A, can also restore lost immune function in the elderly. When taking carotenoids it is best to take a mixture that includes a number of varieties, such as beta-carotene, alpha-carotene, canthoxanthin,
astaxanthin, lutein, zeaxanthin,
lycopene and cryptoxanthin. Taking beta-carotene alone, especially the synthetic form, can actually reduce absorption of other carotenoids, such as lutein.
-
Health and Nutrition Secrets by Russell L. Blaylock, M.D.-
Available on Amazon.comThe main carotenoids found in salmon skin include
astaxanthin and canthaxanthin. Salmon gain these carotenoids through their diets; wild salmon eat krill and tiny shellfish and farmed salmon get them from their feed.
Astaxanthin is a natural antioxidant that is used as a coloring agent to give farm-raised salmon their namesake color, otherwise they would look somewhat gray. Salmon also contains important minerals including
calcium, phosphorus, potassium, iron, magnesium, selenium, and zinc.
-
101 Foods That Could Save Your Life! by David W. Grotto, RD, LDN-
Available on Amazon.comScientists investigated the effects of an antioxidant called
astaxanthin in stress-induced, immune suppression in mice. When exposed to
stress, the number of natural killer (NK) and other immune cells was reduced and an increase in liver lipid peroxidation was observed. After 4 days of
astaxanthin administration, immune dysfunction induced by stress improved. In this same study, cancer cells were injected and effects of tumor development and metastatic lesions were evaluated in response to induced stress.
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Disease Prevention and Treatment by The Life Extension Editorial Staff-
Available on Amazon.comOn the aqua farm, their rich pink hue is supplied by either synthetic astaxanthin or natural
astaxanthin derived from algae or krill. Without the help of supplemental
astaxanthin, the flesh of farmed salmon would look similar in color to that of halibut. While there appears to be no harm with astaxanthin, there does appear to be some risk with using the synthetic carotene canthaxanthin, as this compound was linked to retinal damage in people taking it as a sunless tanning pill.
-
The Encyclopedia of Healing Foods by Michael Murray, N.D. and Joseph Pizzorno, N.D.-
Available on Amazon.comIt was discovered that
astaxanthin, a red pigment found in crustaceans (krill, crawfish) and made synthetically, also inhibits 5alpha reductase. In a lab dish,
astaxanthin inhibited 5 alpha reductase by 98% and worked synergistically with
saw palmetto berry to inhibit prostate cancer cell growth. A scientific review finds that saw palmetto berry extract is comparable with the
drug finasteride in the treatment of prostatitis in regard to symptoms and urinary-flow improvement and has a lower rate of sexual dysfunction.
-
You Don't Have to be Afraid of Cancer Anymore by Bill Sardi-
Available on Amazon.comThe only two well researched carotenoid
antioxidants that never become pro-oxidants are
astaxanthin and zeaxanthin. So if you smoke, be sure to take Spirulina for its natural beta-carotene and zeaxanthin carotenoid antioxidants, take a natural
astaxanthin supplement and take some Vitamin C as well.
-
Spirulina: Nature's superfood by Kelly J Moorhead-
Available on Amazon.comClinical trials have shown that Astaxanthin: Helps Protect Eye Health, Helps Prevent Neurodegenerative Diseases, Helps Cardiovascular Diseases, Helps Animal Health, Helps to Limit or Prevent Sun Burn, Helps Gain a Quicker and Deeper Tan, Alleviates the Effects of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Protects the Joints from Inflammation after Exercise, and many more.
Astaxanthin, a naturally occurring carotenoid pigment, is a powerful biological antioxidant.
-
You Don't Have to be Afraid of Cancer Anymore by Bill Sardi-
Available on Amazon.comZeaxanthin and
astaxanthin are two carotenoids that never become pro-oxidants in any situation. These two facts about zeaxanthin are leading researchers to study zeaxanthin more and more, and as they do, they're finding out that it is a powerful antioxidant with many benefits. In the chart below, zeaxanthin beat out all other antioxidants tested except for
astaxanthin in single oxygen quenching rates. It beat Vitamin E by over 400 times! (Please note that there are many different ways to measure antioxidant strength, and this is just one test).
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Spirulina: Nature's superfood by Kelly J Moorhead-
Available on Amazon.comAmazingly, carotenoids express a preference for protecting a particular type of membrane.
Astaxanthin, lutein, and zeaxanthin protect the eyes; lycopene protects the prostate; beta-cryptoxanthin protects joints; and carotenes protect DNA.
Astaxanthin and lycopene are most protective against radiation from ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB). Following are some highlights from the scientific literature about the benefits of carotenoid supplements: Xanthophyll carotenoids, vitamins C and E can delay onset of macular degeneration and cataracts.
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The Anti-Aging Solution: 5 Simple Steps to Looking and Feeling Young by Vincent Giampapa, Ronald Pero, and Marcia Zimmerman-
Available on Amazon.comMy top recommended astaxanthin sources
www.Nutrex-Hawaii.com - Straight from the source! This is the website of Cyanotech, the company that grows astaxanthin on the Big Island of Hawaii. (Although my endorsement appears on their website, I have no financial relationship with this company. I am not compensated in any way for product sales.)
www.Vitacost.com - This online retailer of nutritional products offers the BioAstin brand as well. Check it out here:
http://www.vitacost.com/Nutrex-Hawaii-BioAstin-SupremeI currently take 4mg a day on most days, with up to 8mg a day on high-stress days (or heavy workout days). Experiment with the dosage to see what works best for you, and always take a small amount at first just to make sure your body deals with it in a positive way.
About the author: Mike Adams is a natural health author and award-winning journalist with a strong interest in personal health, the environment and the power of nature to help us all heal He has authored and published thousands of articles, interviews, consumers guides, and books on topics like health and the environment, impacting the lives of millions of readers around the world who are experiencing phenomenal health benefits from reading his articles. Adams is an independent journalist with strong ethics who does not get paid to write articles about any product or company. In 2010, Adams co-founded NaturalNews.TV, a natural health video sharing site that has now grown in popularity. He's also a noted technology pioneer and founded a software company in 1993 that developed the HTML email newsletter software currently powering the NaturalNews subscriptions. Adams also serves as the executive director of the Consumer Wellness Center, a non-profit consumer protection group, and pursues hobbies such as martial arts, Capoeira, nature macrophotography and organic gardening.
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Sunday, May 24, 2009
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