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AstaxanthinThe compound is usually made from a microalg called Haematococcus pluvialis. Animals, including humans, cannot synthesize carotenoids and thus all natural carotenoids are first made in plants. The research on Astaxanthin is very much ongoing and no firm guidelines for its safe use has been established. However, it has been claimed by supplement manufacturers (Valensa Intl) that the compound might be ten times more effective than beta carotene and 500 times more effective than vitamin E as an antioxidant, which would make it a very potential compound in an anti aging regimen. Companies that manufacture and study the compound include Valensa International and Aquasearch Inc. The studies these companies cite suggest that the compound has been found to stimulate the immune system in animals. Also, the studies suggest that, when looking at the protective effects of UV light on cells, astaxanthin has been found to be 1000 times more effective than both beta-carotene and lutein. Astaxanthin was also found to have excellent benefits for the cardiovascular system. In addition, from an anti aging viewpoint, one of the most remarkable recent discoveries found that astaxanthin significantly reduced the amount of DNA damage found in humans. Astaxanthin - StudiesBone, R.A., J.T. Landrum, and S.L. Tarsis. (1985) Preliminary identification of the human macular pigment. Vision Res., 25:1531-1535. Christen, W.G. (1999) Antioxidant vitamins and age-related eye disease. Proc. Assoc. Am. Physicians, 111:16-21. Gerster, H. (1989) Antioxidant vitamins in cataract prevention. Z. Ernahrungswiss., 28:56-75. Gerster, H. (1991) Antioxidant protection of the ageing macula. Age Ageing, 20:60-69. Hampton, G.R., and P.T. Nelsen [eds]. (1992) Age-related Macular Degeneration: Principles and Practice. New York: Raven Press. 300 pp. Jacques, P.F. (1999) The potential preventive effects of vitamins for cataract and age-related macular degeneration. Int. J. Vitam. Nutr. Res., 69:198-205. Landrum, J.T., R.A. Bone, H. Joa, M.D. Kilburn, L.L. Moore, and K.E. Sprague. (1997) A one year study of the macular pigment: the effect of 140 days of a lutein supplement. Exp. Eye Res., 65:57-62. Landrum, J.T., R.A. Bone, L.L. Moore, and C.M. Gomez. (1999) Analysis of zeaxanthin distribution within individual human retinas. Meth. Enzymol., 299:457-467. Lyle, B.J., J.A. Mares-Perlman, B.E. Klein, R. Klein, and J.L. Greger. (1999) Antioxidant intake and risk of incident age-related nuclear cataracts in the Beaver Dam Eye Study. Am. J. Epidemiol., 149:801-809. Seddon, J.M., U.A. Ajani, R.D. Sperduto, R. Hiller, N. Blair, T.C. Burton, M.D. Farber, E.S. Gragoudas, J. Haller, D.T. Miller, L.A. Yannuzzi, and W. Willett. (1994) Dietary carotenoids, vitamins A, C, and E, and advanced age-related macular degeneration. J.Am. Med. Assoc., 272:1413-1420. Snodderly, D.M. (1995) Evidence for protection against age-related macular degeneration by carotenoids and antioxidant vitamins. Am. J. Clin. Nutr., 62(suppl):1448S-1461S. Snow, K.K., and J.M. Seddon. (1999) Do age-related macular degeneration and cardiovascular disease share common antecedents? Ophthalmic Epidemiol. 6:125-143.
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