Astaxanthin: Why I Take It Daily (Especially In Summer!)

My go-to summer supplement, Astaxanthin, is often called nature’s strongest antioxidant. It is a potent naturally occurring carotenoid found in foods like salmon and krill.

Astaxanthin is well-studied and has many benefits, but I take it for one very noticeable benefit: sun protection. My results have been drastic. Before supplementing, I could burn in 15 minutes in bright sun. Now, I can handle moderate (and healthy) sun exposure without burning at all. Thanks to by Vitamin D receptor (VDR) mutations (found on my 23 and me test), and my doctor’s recommendations, I am supposed to get moderate sun exposure and this makes it easier and safer.

What is Astaxanthin?

Astaxanthin (pronounced asta-zan-thin) is carotenoid and one of the most potent antioxidants available. It has been widely studied and is beneficial in may different ways. The Linus Pauling Institute explains that:

“Carotenoids are a class of more than 600 naturally occurring pigments synthesized by plants, algae, and photosynthetic bacteria. These richly colored molecules are the sources of the yellow, orange, and red colors of many plants”

Astaxanthin in particular is one of the most powerful and most studied carotenoids. It is produced when a certain species of algae dries up. Basically, the algae produces this carotenoid to protect itself from the effects of losing its food/nutrient supply and to stay alive.

Natural sources include this algae and animals that consume it including krill and salmon. It is found in very high amounts in the muscles of salmon (it is the carotenoid that gives salmon its bright red color) and is said to be responsible for the endurance they need to swim upstream. Interesting fact, it is the higher Astaxanthin content that gives wild caught salmon a brighter red color than their farmed counterparts.

Another important distinction:

Unlike many antioxidants, Astaxanthin does not turn pro-oxidant (harmful to the body) at any point in the digestive process.

Astaxanthin vs. Inflammation

Considered 6,000 times as potent as Vitamin C, this antioxidant packs a powerful punch. Like any antioxidant, it has the ability to help reduce inflammation, but it has several unique properties that make it especially beneficial:

• Because it is 6000 times more powerful than Vitamin C, giving it tremendous ability to reduce free radicals.
• It is able to cross the blood/brain barrier and the blood/retina barrier so that it can benefit the brain and eyes (many antioxidants do not have this ability.
• Mounting evidence suggests that it may reduce C Reactive Protein (CRP) and tumor necrosis factor alpha.

Astaxanthin for Endurance

This supplement is now used by many athletes, especially endurance athletes. Exercise, by its nature, produces free radicals. As an antioxidant, Astaxanthin reduces them, but its effect goes beyond just that.

Astaxanthin is found in the highest amounts in the muscles of salmon. Scientists theorize that this bright red antioxidant is at least partially responsible for the extreme endurance of salmon as they swim upstream.

The same properties it has that make it beneficial to salmon swimming upstream are beneficial to humans looking to accomplish feats of endurance. It is beneficial for athletes because it:

• May reduce free radicals to speed recovery time
• Reduces production and storage of lactic acid- this reduces muscle soreness and recovery time
• Supports mitochondria function- when muscles are used for exercise (especially intense exercise) the mitochondria produce more energy but this has the side effect of producing free radicals. It helps reduce the free radicals and supports more efficient mitochondria function

Astaxanthin and the Sun

One of the main reasons I started taking Astaxanthin is for its sun-protective benefits. It works as an internal sunscreen of sorts since it reduces inflammation and helps reduce UVA damage to skin cells. I am naturally fair skinned and this supplement allows me to get healthy sun exposure without burning or getting freckles.

A sunburn is a type of inflammation and if there are already sources of inflammation in the body, it is more likely to burn. I’ve found that since taking this regularly and eating a naturally low-inflammatory diet, I have lower levels of inflammation in general (per lab results) and tan more easily without burning.

Astaxanthin’s unique property that makes it an added protection agains the sun is found in the way it is created. The algae Haematococcus pluvialis creates Astaxanthin as a protection from the heat and sun to save itself when it loses its water supply. The pigment works as a sunscreen of sorts that protects the algae from the sun. In this way, Astaxanthin works as an internal sunscreen for humans and gives skin a natural (very subtle) red/brown pigment.

How I Use It

I’ve been using this supplement daily for several years, especially in warmer months when I’m outside. You can read more about how I use it for sun protection here but I typically take one 12 mg capsule of the BioAstin brand (available here)each day, usually in the morning and with a meal or drink that contains fat (often that is just my healthy coffee or tea).

I consider Astaxanthin a food, not a supplement, so like cod liver oil, I consume it as part of a healthy diet.

Foods like salmon are a good natural source, though it would be very difficult to get large amounts from food. There are also mercury concerns with consuming really large levels of seafood, though I do make wild-caught high-antioxidant salmon a regular part of our diet (we get ours here).

Sources & Additional Reading:

Ikeuchi M, Koyama T, Takahashi J, Yazawa K. Effects of astaxanthin supplementation on exercise-induced fatigue in mice. Biol Pharm Bull. 2006 Oct;29(10):2106-10.

Gene A. Spiller, PhD, Antonella Dewell, MS, RD, Sally Chaves, RN, Zaga Rakidzich. Effect of daily use natural astaxanthin on C-reactive protein. Health Research & Studies Center, Los Altos, CA. Study Report, January, 2006.

Suganuma K, Nakajima H, Ohtsuki M, Imokawa G. Astaxanthin attenuates the UVA-induced up-regulation of matrix- metalloproteinase-1 and skin fibroblast elastase in human dermal fibroblasts. J Dermatol Sci. 2010 May;58(2):136-42. Epub 2010 Feb 18.

Ever taken Astaxanthin? Did you notice any benefits? Share below!

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