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Astaxanthin
Antioxidant Protection for Your Cells
astaZANTHIN is the trademarked name for astaxanthin, the carotenoid responsible
for the pink pigmentation in the flesh of salmon, lobster, krill and other aquatic
animals and plants. Carotenoids are the red, orange and yellow plant pigments
that give fruits and vegetables their vivid colors. Many carotenoids act as antioxidants
to protect our cells from free radicals.
Astaxanthin works in conjunction with other antioxidants to protect the membranes
of cells as well as the mitochondria, the tiny energy factories inside cells.
Source Naturals astaZANTHIN is derived from a vegetarian source - marine algae
cultivated in the warm waters of Hawaii's Kona Coast.
A Powerful Carotenoid
Astaxanthin is a powerful antioxidant carotenoid that is closely related to the
better-known beta carotene. It is unique in the range of its antioxidant activity.
It provides protection from more types of free radicals (aldoxyl, hydroxyl, peroxyl,
singlet and triplet oxygen) than many other antioxidants. Recent studies have
indicated that astaxanthin is more powerful than its carotenoid cousin, beta carotene,
at neutralizing singlet oxygen.
Free radicals are atoms or compounds containing one or more unpaired electrons;
they will capture electrons from the first place they can to complete the pair.
When taken from proteins, electron loss can cause protein cross-linking (a key
action of stiffening tissues), disable hormones and enzymes, and damage cell structures.
Free radicals can even take electrons from DNA, which may cause genetic alterations.
Unique Molecular Structure
In vitro (laboratory) and animal studies suggest that astaxanthin may have a wide
range of antioxidative benefits for humans. Its powerful antioxidant properties
are related to its unique molecular structure. Astaxanthin has polar end groups
that allow it to span across the cell membrane's bilayer. This means astaxanthin
is available to work near the fat/water interface where free radical attack first
occurs. Astaxanthin stabilizes free radicals by adding them to its structure,
effectively quenching their potential to do damage.
Marine Algae: A Natural and Renewable Source
Haematococcus pluvialis microalgae are extremely rich in astaxanthin, accumulating
much higher levels than salmon. In fact, these microalgae are now used as a source
of feed for farm-cultivated salmon and other fish, providing the astaxanthin they
require but cannot synthesize within their bodies. Haematococcus pluvialis microalgae
are widespread in nature and have replaced Arctic krill as a source for astaxanthin
due to environmental concerns.
astaZANTHIN is the only proprietary extract of microalgae available at this time
in the United States. This all-natural, renewable material is extracted from microalgae
using a nontraditional, proprietary method. The extract contains no organic solvents
and is characterized and
standardized to ensure the highest quality.
References
Britton, G. 1995. Structure and properties of carotenoids in relation to function.
FASEB J. 9:1551-8.
Jorgensen, K. May 1993. Carotenoid scavenging of radicals. Effect of carotenoid
structure and oxygen partial pressure on antioxidative activity. Zeitschrift Lebensm
Unters Forsch, 196(5):423-429.
Kurashige, M. et al. 1990. Inhibition of oxidative injury of biological membranes
by astaxanthin. Physiological Chemistry and Physics and Medical NMR, 22(1):27-38.
O'Connor, I. et al. March 1998. Modulation of UVA light-induced oxidative stress
by beta-carotene, lutein and astaxanthin in cultured fibroblasts. J Derm Science,
16(3):226-230.
Terao, J. July 1989. Antioxidant activity of beta-carotene-related carotenoids
in solution. Lipids 24(7):659-66.
Tinkler, J.H. et al. December 1994. Dietary carotenoids protect human cells...
J Photochem and Photobiol 26(3):283-5.
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