What are the health benefits of astaxanthin on exercise and skin health?
This post highlights some of the health benefits of astaxanthin on exercise and skin health. Astaxanthin is the red-orange, lipid-soluble carotenoid pigment found in microalgae, krill, salmon, shrimp, crabs and lobster. It has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, and is more potent than vitamin E and beta-carotene. It reduces oxidative stress and inflammation that are associated with many age-related diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases, neurodegeneration, cancer and poor vision. Reported below are some new research results on astaxanthin. For information on astaxanthin supplement, please go to this page.
Astaxanthin and exercise metabolism, performance and recovery
Vigorous exercise results in overproduction of free radicals (reactive oxygen and nitrogen species). Excessive production of these free radicals will overwhelm the endogenous antioxidant defense system, leading to oxidative stress, which can damage skeletal muscles. Antioxidant supplements help scavenge free radicals and up-regulate endogenous antioxidant defense system and hence will benefit athletes.
Studies using mouse model show that astaxanthin protects enzyme involved in the transport of long-chain fatty acid from damage by free radicals, and enhances utilization of fat as alternative energy source indirectly. This will attenuate the depletion of muscle glycogen and slow down fatigue, and thus enhances exercise performance. Furthermore, astaxanthin also promotes recovery of skeletal muscles with its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. However, results from studies using human subjects are still lacking. More well-controlled human studies are needed to confirm the efficacy of astaxanthin in athletes.
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Astaxanthin and skin health
Oxidative metabolism and exposure to the sun (UV light) play important roles in skin aging and dermal damage. Both induce in skin cells production of free radicals that in turn stimulate production of proteolytic enzymes resulted in degradation of structural and functional proteins of the dermal extracellular matrix. This leads to increased skin wrinkle and decreased skin moisture and elasticity. Furthermore, UV radiation also induces pigmentation and damages the DNA of skin cells, leading to development of age spots and skin cancer.
Astaxanthin has both antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. It protects skin cells by scavenging the free radicals and by activating their cellular antioxidant defense system. It suppresses production of inflammatory mediators in skin cells. Moreover, it also enhances immune response and exerts anti-tumor activity. Small scale clinical trials using oral astaxanthin supplement and topical cream have shown that astaxanthin enhances immune responses, reduces secretion of inflammatory mediators, improves skin elasticity and moisture content, and reduces age spot size and wrinkle depth.
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