People have always been looking for a substance that can slow down aging and prevent many diseases. A lot of them use vitamins, especially vitamin C and vitamin E, drink green tea and coffee, which are rich in antioxidants. However, there is astaxanthin – a substance that is much more powerful and effective than all known vitamins and which everyone can use.

What is astaxanthin? This is a natural carotenoid that occurs in some plants and animals, and it can also be found in some algae and seafood. It is this substance that stains the feathers of flamingos pink and also gives the lobster, shrimp, and salmon fish a red tint. This carotenoid is a very powerful antioxidant, which can slow down the oxidation process in a human’s body. Oxidation is necessary for a person’s normal life, but its high speed can be quite harmful. Astaxanthin helps to avoid many health problems, as well as prolong youth and life. Let’s find out more about the properties of this substance.

What Is Astaxanthin?

Astaxanthin has appeared on the market in the last few years and yet it still causes distrust in some people. The high efficiency of this substance makes it look like “Fountain of Youth,” so there are doubts. There is no miracle in the action of astaxanthin – it is a natural substance that has a powerful effect on the color and growth of living organisms.

Astaxanthin can be taken in both a natural and synthetic form. The natural substance is contained in algae and some aquatic organisms, so their regular consumption will saturate the body with a carotenoid. However, eating such products is not available to everyone, so pharmacists have developed a synthetic compound of astaxanthin. Farmers first started using it. They noted that with such an addition, their animals grew faster, became healthier, and looked much better. Doctors recommend for people to start taking astaxanthin naturally, and then go on to the synthetic supplements. Carotenoids rich foods are lobsters, shrimp, rainbow trout, salmon, and some seaweed.

It is important to remember that the antioxidant additive provides invaluable help to the body, but it is impossible to replace healthy food with additives. So, in order to keep being healthy, you need to choose the right diet.

Does It Really Work?

To understand why the antioxidant is so useful, we need to find out what is the danger of excessive oxidation. Oxidative processes in the human body are indispensable and necessary – they are what manage the exchange of substances and the work of all organs. That’s why a sufficient amount of oxygen and fresh air is so necessary for health and longevity. Nevertheless, during this process, free radicals are released, attacking cells of the body and causing them harm.

A large number of free radicals can lead to:

• heart disease;
• oncology;
• premature aging;
• Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases;
• eye diseases;
• reduction of collagen and deterioration of the skin, etc.

The antioxidant destroys free radicals, thereby stopping their destructive effect. Astaxanthin slows down oxidation, prolonging youth and reducing the likelihood of the appearance of diseases that are considered to be “age-related.”

All antioxidants can be divided into either the category of fat-soluble and water-soluble, as well as enzymatic and non-enzymatic. As is clear from the name, fat-soluble antioxidants dissolve in a fat medium, and water-soluble dissolve in water (in particular – in the blood). Enzymatic antioxidants destroy free radicals, and non-enzymatic ones do not allow free radicals to conduct their destructive activities. Astaxanthin is a fat-soluble non-enzymatic antioxidant, which makes it almost universal. It “neutralizes” virtually all free radicals that it meets, and this helps to significantly improve health and postpone the onset of aging.

Astaxanthin Health Benefits

All antioxidants have the ability to neutralize free radicals. Therefore, vitamin C, green tea, and coffee are still useful, but their effect is not comparable with the carotenoid’s effectiveness. What does astaxanthin have, and what is not present in other fat-soluble non-enzymatic antioxidants? This substance has unique properties that are not found anywhere else, therefore it is impossible to replace it completely with any other antioxidant. It is a very powerful substance that can literally do wonders. The list of advantages of astaxanthin is very great, so let’s get acquainted with it.

Erectile Dysfunction

Erectile dysfunction becomes a problem for many men as they age. Doctors say that very often this ailment is caused by a decrease in testosterone level. This happens due to stress, unhealthy lifestyle, low physical activity, suffered diseases, excessive consumption of beer, etc. There are many reasons, but the result is the same: a hormonal imbalance and the worsening of the intimate life. Testosterone manages many things throughout the life of a man – in adolescence, it causes the growth of genitals, increase in muscle mass, and changes in voice. The libido and fertility of adult men also depend on testosterone.

Studies have shown that astaxanthin is able to normalize the levels of estrogen and testosterone, as well as other hormones. With frequent use, this antioxidant increases the level of testosterone and reduces the level of dihydrotestosterone due to the suppression of the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase. Excessive amounts of dihydrotestosterone inhibit the production of testosterone, since it has a strong estrogenic effect. Proceeding from this, it can be said that astaxanthin improves the condition of the reproductive system of a man. If erectile dysfunction was caused by a decrease in testosterone levels, then the antioxidant will help restore the former male power. Also, the carotenoid can be taken to maintain the hormonal balance.

Eye Health

Studies have shown that astaxanthin helps maintain eye health for years. According to statistics, among all eye diseases, a significant place is occupied by degeneration of the rod-free retina. In 8.7% of cases, this disease leads to blindness. The carotenoid prevents this problem. It also helps prevent glaucoma and retinopathy, which are very common in diabetes. People whose work is associated with stress and attention to small details can significantly improve their condition by astaxanthin intake. This helps to avoid fatigue and eye strain, and thanks to that, visual acuity will not decrease.

Astaxanthin is the best choice for people who like to read, watch TV, and spend a lot of time on the computer. The antioxidant provides to be an invaluable help for eyes.

Improves Memory

A lot of people are suffering from problems with memory, such as difficulties with the assimilation of information or simple forgetfulness. If you often forget your keys and other things, or feel absent-minded, and that makes work too difficult for you, then you need to think about the state of your brain. If you are healthy, then taking an antioxidant, getting a healthy amount of sleep, and eating good meals are the best that you can think of. Astaxanthin is an “investment” in your memory. As you know, problems with memorization and absent-mindedness begin to aggravate with age, constituting serious trouble. A powerful antioxidant improves memory and helps keep it for years to come.

Helps with Acne and Pigmentation

Smooth skin without excess pigmentation, pimples, and wrinkles is a sign of health, youth, and beauty. Unfortunately, not all people can boast of it. Often the human skin is far from ideal throughout whole life: hormonal eruptions and acne are replaced by your first wrinkles, then a scattering of deep wrinkles and age-related pigmentation. This is because the body has a hard time resisting free radicals, a powerful source of which is ultraviolet radiation. Sun rays give the skin a beautiful shade, but mercilessly wither and destroy it, causing premature aging. Sunscreens penetrate only into the upper layers of the epidermis, so they cannot fully protect the skin from radiation. Astaxanthin accumulates in all layers of the skin and destroys free radicals, thereby neutralizing the destructive effect of the sun. Naturally, this substance should not be used as a replacement for full-fledged skincare, but it can improve the skin appearance and prolong youth.

As for acne, the frequent causes of rashes are a metabolic disorder, improper functioning of the internal organs, and hormonal imbalances or stress. The antioxidant struggles against all these troubles, leaving acne no chance. Since hair is a derivative of the skin, its condition also improves with the intake of the antioxidant.

Age-related changes are an integral part of life, and they cannot be avoided, but astaxanthin will help to significantly postpone this moment.

Saves Your Joints

Pain in the joints most often appears imperceptibly. It starts to bother you a little, but it can be ignored for a long time. Then it becomes stronger and stronger, begins to restrain your movement, and interferes with your work. As a result, a person starts walking with a cane, their fingers do not obey them well, and many movements cause pain. Performing simple tasks become difficult and even impossible. Astaxanthin slows down the age-related negative changes in the joints and prevents their destruction. It is not too late to start the medication at any time, but it is better to do it as soon as possible. Antioxidants are especially needed for elderly people and those whose joints are often under heavy pressure – athletes, people with high weight, and those who need to stand a lot during work.

Has Anti-Inflammatory Effect

Pain and fever are symptoms that indicate the body is struggling with some kind of ailment. The immune system directs all forces to defeat the disease – as a result, the inflammatory process begins. In some cases, inflammation becomes extensive and causes great suffering to a person, significantly worsening his general condition. Often, the inflammation becomes chronic – the body is literally not strong enough to completely overcome the ailment, so the “fight” goes on all the time. Astaxanthin relieves the body of an additional load – free radicals which attack cells. Thanks to such protection, the immune system copes with its task more quickly, and recovery comes very soon. With the constant use of antioxidants, long-term inflammatory processes and concomitant pain syndrome occur extremely rarely.

Helps with Weight Loss

As you know, some foods rich in antioxidants can reduce appetite and tone up the nervous system, thereby increasing your body’s calorie consumption and promoting weight loss (for example, like green tea). Not all of this can be done by astaxanthin, but it helps to normalize the weight. It fights against the consequences of a wrong way of life and helps new, useful habits take root.

The main beneficial effects of this carotenoid on the body are:

• lowering cholesterol. Cholesterol clogs vessels and is a frequent companion of excess weight and malnutrition. It worsens blood circulation and nutrition of tissues. As a result, weight loss becomes difficult;
• accelerated recovery of muscles. Astaxanthin helps the muscles quickly get used to the stresses and recover. No wonder it goes to many post-workout complexes. Suitable for both power and cardio loads;
• increases the immunity of a person, as a result of which the well-being improves, there are forces to exercise and life energy appears.

Sometimes a low level of testosterone interferes with weight loss. As already mentioned above, astaxanthin is able to solve this problem.

As you can see, the carotenoid itself does not lead to weight loss, but it can significantly help if a person makes an effort to lose weight as well. This substance accelerates the metabolism, and will improve not only your appearance, but also your health. Of course, in the presence of harmful eating habits, the human condition will also improve, but the weight will remain the same.

Stimulates Immune System

Everybody knows that it is much easier to prevent a disease than to treat it. People try to dress warmly in frosty and damp weather, and they prevent children from walking in a rain to avoid colds. In addition to these precautions, it is not superfluous to take care of your immunity, since how quickly the body will cope with viruses and bacteria depends on it. Immunity is an invisible army that stands guard over the body, protecting it from invisible enemies. Astaxanthin is a reliable assistant of immunity which actively eliminates the destructive factor – free radicals. Regular use of this antioxidant will help to avoid many diseases associated with a decrease in immunity.

Helps Bodybuilders

A lot of modern people find time for sports, so they are concerned about the restoration and maintenance of muscles after training. All physical activities, whether power or cardio training, intensive dancing or pilates, load muscles and sometimes lead to microtraumas. The body is forced to eliminate the damage and allocate resources to restore the muscles. Astaxanthin helps to restore muscle tissue faster and will help you feel much fresher even after intensive training. This is especially true for professional athletes who train to the limit of their abilities, as well as for those who have just started doing sports. Astaxanthin reduces the production of lactic acid and accelerates its excretion from the body. This allows you to reduce muscle pain after intense physical exertion.

A lot of athletes whose specialty is associated with high endurance noticed that this carotenoid makes them stronger, and also allows them to stay in shape during breaks between competitions.

Astaxanthin and Arthritis

As already mentioned above, astaxanthin helps the body to deal with various inflammations. Arthritis is a disease that arises from an inflammatory process that has been “overlooked” by weakened immunity. This disease affects the limbs and joints, and rheumatoid arthritis can worsen the state of the nervous system, skin, and eyes. Since astaxanthin effectively removes inflammation and increases immunity, it will become an excellent assistant in the fight against arthritis. This disease develops very slowly, therefore it is necessary to take immediate measures. If you have a tendency toward this disease, then using an antioxidant can really protect you from it.

Blood Pressure Benefits

High blood pressure torments many people. Stresses, bad habits, and lack of physical activity contribute to the development of chronic hypertension. With age, the vessels narrow, so most people of old age also suffer from this disease. Increased blood pressure not only causes headaches, but can also lead to more serious diseases, for example, stroke. A powerful antioxidant improves the condition of the vessels and the work of the heart, and thanks to that, the blood pressure become normal. This does not mean that drugs for hypertension can be replaced with astaxanthin, but this substance can significantly improve the patient’s condition and prevent the development of the disease in a healthy person.

Prevents Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is a disease, the female mortality of which stands in second place after lung cancer. A lot of women face benign or malignant neoplasms in the chest. Modern medicine and technology can detect cancer in the early stages (with regular examinations, of course), but cannot prevent it yet.

As you know, cancer arises from the fact that tissue cells degenerate and become alien, harmful to the body. Astaxanthin protects cells from the effects of free radicals on them, significantly reducing the probability of their malignant changes.

This antioxidant protects not only from breast cancer, but also from any other malignant neoplasms. This is especially true for those who smoke, live in a metropolis, or work in a hazardous industry.

Improves Male Fertility

A lot of couples, unfortunately, face the problem of infertility, and in about half of the cases, there is a male factor. The causes of male infertility are varied, but most often problems arise due to poor spermatogenesis. Usually, in such cases, doctors prescribe patients to take special vitamins, improve the way of life, and get rid of bad habits, if they had them. If all of the above does not give results, then doctors offer IVF. Of course, every man who wants to become a father would like it to happen naturally, and astaxanthin can help with this. Very often, the reason for the insufficient number of spermatozoa or their low mobility is a weakened state of the body, thus a lowered immunity. The antioxidant brings tangible health benefits, helps the body to become stronger and healthier, and overcomes inflammatory processes that can also worsen the sperm state. Astaxanthin will not replace the drugs prescribed by the doctor, but studies have shown that it can significantly improve the result of semen analysis.

Side Effects and Dangers of Astaxanthin

At the moment, there is no research with results that confirmed some of the astaxanthin side effects. It is only established that the intake of this additive has some contraindications. These include:

• low blood pressure. Since astaxanthin reduces blood pressure, a person with hypotension may feel sick. Also, pills should not be taken by people who use drugs for hypertension. The action of drugs can be increased several times by the antioxidant;
• lack of calcium in the body. Astaxanthin has the property of “washing away” calcium, which for a healthy person is not terrible, but can be dangerous for those who have a shortage of this element. Women should be especially attentive, since calcium is very important for their health;
• violation of hormonal balance in men. The carotenoid rejects using testosterone by the body as directed. As a result, men may lose libido and even develop erectile dysfunction.

To ensure the safety of the antioxidant for you and avoid all dangers, talk to your doctor before taking it. This is especially true if you have any kind of disease.

It is also important to see a doctor, if you:

• often encounter an allergic reaction;
• pregnant, breastfeeding, or are planning a pregnancy;
• suffering from osteoporosis;
• take pills to reduce the immune system reaction;
• use hormonal medications or have a hormonal failure.

In all other cases, astaxanthin is completely safe.

Astaxanthin Comparison

Astaxanthin is one of the most powerful antioxidants that is known to modern medicine. It largely operates in the same way as other antioxidants, but has a number of different characteristics which have already been mentioned earlier. Other powerful antioxidants also have their own specifics, so you can compare them with astaxanthin.

Zeaxanthin vs Astaxanthin

Zeaxanthin is one of the carotenoids which has a strong coloring effect. It can be found in large quantities in corn, paprika, saffron, and some berries. This substance is one of the two main components of the human retina, therefore it is necessary to eat zeaxanthin-rich food. In the rest, the action of zeaxanthin can be replaced by other, more versatile antioxidants, for example – astaxanthin. Zeaxanthin is contained not only in berries, paprika, and corn, but also in many products with E161h dye. As a separate food additive, it is not used.

Astaxanthin vs Vitamin C & Vitamin E

Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is an organic compound that is extremely necessary for the normal functioning of the bones and connective tissues. Ascorbic acid is an antioxidant that is contained in many vegetables, berries, and fruits. Vitamin С helps fight against viral diseases, increases immunity, and is used for cancer prevention. With a lack of vitamin C, a person develops scurvy, and his immunity decreases. It is an indispensable component of human life. Vitamin C is a weaker antioxidant than astaxanthin, but it performs many other necessary functions, so it is very difficult to compare these substances. It is not worth it to replace them with each other.

Vitamin E (tocopherol) is a fat-soluble vitamin, an immunomodulator, an antihypoxic mean and an antioxidant. A shortage of it causes the work of brain and liver to suffer, even up to the point of necrosis. Women with a deficiency of vitamin E often give birth to premature babies with low chances of survival. This vitamin has a positive effect on sexual function and fertility, so it is often called the “fertility vitamin.” Vitamin E is found in many vegetable oils, seeds, nuts, and eggs. Tocopherol in the form of an additional supplement can be taken only when its deficiency is established, because the excess of this vitamin can lead to osteoporosis. Studies have shown that there is a link between excessive intake of tocopherol and high mortality.

Astaxanthin is a food additive and body’s “protector” from free radicals. It is a universal antioxidant, but it should not replace the vitamin complexes because astaxanthin cannot perform functions of vitamins C and E. At the same time, attachment of this antioxidant to any vitamin complex will not be harmful to your health.

Curcumin or Astaxanthin

Curcumin is a carotenoid that is capable of staining plant and animal fibers a rich yellow color. The substance is named as a polyphenol that does not dissolve in fat or water, but does it well in alcohol containing liquid. Curcumin is abundant in the roots of turmeric. This spice has been used in Ayurveda as a powerful anti-inflammatory drug for a long time. Traditional Chinese medicine also highly appreciates curcumin.

The main disadvantage of curcumin is that this substance has very low biological activity, therefore it has a weak effect on the body. To feel the full effect of curcumin, you need to take special supplements where this substance has a high bioavailability. Curcumin is a very useful substance, but its action has a narrow focus, in contrast to astaxanthin.

Astaxanthin Rich Foods

Astaxanthin is available in its natural form only to those people whose living conditions allow them to regularly eat foods containing this substance. Astaxanthin main sources are trout, shrimp, salmon, and algae. For obvious reasons, not all people can regularly eat these foods. The farther away from the habitat of marine inhabitants, the higher the price of these products, as well as the higher the content of preservatives and many other harmful and dangerous ingredients in them. However, there is a way out – special additives with a precisely selected dosage will saturate the body with the necessary amount of astaxanthin. Surveys of such drugs are mostly positive – people notice an improvement in health and appearance. Such supplements can be taken together with omega-3 acids and iodine-containing vitamins to maintain the work of the thyroid.

What If Astaxanthin Doesn’t Help?

Astaxanthin helps to avoid many diseases, delay the arrival of old age, and improve the appearance. It is one of the best-known antioxidants, but not a panacea for all diseases. So, if you have erectile dysfunction, and astaxanthin has not given the desired result, you can solve the problem in another way. There are tablets that have numerous reviews and help get rid of problems with potency very quickly and effectively. Among them are the world famous PDE5 (phosphodiesterase 5) inhibitors, which include Viagra, Cialis, and Stendra. You can buy the best drugs to fight erectile dysfunction in the ViaBestBuy online pharmacy at a bargain price. Also, there you will find on sale Kamagra, Viagra Soft, as well as means for the treatment of premature ejaculation. All our medicines are quality generics and are approved by the FDA, and their low price will pleasantly surprise you.