Here’s a pop quiz for you. Is Astaxanthin:
a) a flowering vine that uses tendrils to twine its way up fences, lattices and walls?
b) an artificial sweetener used as a sugar substitute in foods and beverages?
c) a naturally occurring carotenoid that acts as a powerful antioxidant?
If you answered C, you deserve a prize. Astaxanthin has been touted as a super-antioxidant for a number of years now. Natural, non-synthetic astaxanthin is only available from two marine-based sources: microalgae called Haematococcus pluvialis and from sea creatures, like salmon and krill, who eat the microalgae.
As a daily supplement, its benefits are wide and varied:
- Relieves pain and inflammation. Studies have shown that astaxanthin can have positive effects on inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and carpal tunnel syndrome.
- Promotes eye health by fighting free radicals that can lead to retinal damage and macular degeneration.
- Boosts endurance by improving muscle recovery. Astaxanthin has been used as a supplement by athletes to speed up recovery after workouts, to increase strength and stamina and to reduce joint and muscle discomfort after exertion. Vigorous exercise can actually generate free radicals. When taken as an oral antioxidant supplement, astaxanthin works by hunting down and destroying the free radicals in the muscle tissue.
As a topical treatment, astaxanthin minimizes UVA damage to the skin by neutralizing free radicals, which in turn can help slow down premature aging. As a free radical scavenger, astaxanthin is 54 times more powerful than beta carotene and 65 times more powerful than vitamin C. And you know how much we love vitamin C! Astaxantin also increases hydration to minimize appearance of wrinkles and acts as an anti-inflammatory to calm skin. As more and more research points to inflammation as the reason that skin ages, astaxanthin is looking even more attractive as an anti-aging weapon.
With all those things going for it, it would be a missed opportunity to not incorporate into our treatments. Find astaxanthin in our Apothekari Bespoke Vitamin C 10% and 15% where it supports Vitamin C and other actives to protect and rejuvenate skin.
