Saturday, March 31, 2012

Astaxanthin

I was recently introduced to a supplement called Astaxanthin.  I was raving about it in class the other day, so I figured I would write a post about it.  What is it?  (From WebMD):

"Astaxanthin is a reddish pigment that belongs to a group of chemicals called carotenoids. It occurs naturally in certain algae and causes the pink or red color in salmon, trout, lobster, shrimp, and other seafood.

Astaxanthin is used for treating Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, “brain attack” (stroke), high cholesterol, and an eye condition called age-related macular degeneration (AMD). It is also used for preventing cancer.

Astaxanthin is applied directly to the skin for protection against sunburn.


How does it work?
Astaxanthin is an antioxidant. This effect might protect cells from damage. Astaxanthin might also improve the way the immune system functions."


As someone who burns on even a sliver of skin I may have forgotten to apply sunscreen on, I have seen a noticeable difference.  Even after hours and hours in the sun during the Ragnar relay race (and fairly inconsistent sunscreen application), I walked away completely burn free!  As with any supplement, always consult a professional before use.  Still don't believe me?  Check out what Dr. Oz has to say about it:

Dr. Oz Show Features Astaxanthin Pin It

No comments:

Post a Comment