ASTAXANTHIN: The Super-Antioxidant 550 Times More Powerful Than Vitamin E by Dr. Joseph Mercola**
There are many properties that make this super-carotenoid unique.
Astaxanthin compares astoundingly well to other nutrients and powerful lipid soluble antioxidants when it comes to free radical scavenging and neutralizing singlet oxygen.*
When it comes to free radical scavenging, astaxanthin can be as much as…
- 65 times more powerful than vitamin C*
- 54 times stronger than beta-carotene*
- 14 times more potent than vitamin E*
- 550 times more powerful than vitamin E*
- 800 times stronger than CoQ10*
- 6000 times greater than vitamin C*
- 550 times more powerful than green tea catechins*
- 11 times stronger than beta-carotene*
Astaxanthin was even found to be as much as 2.75 stronger than lutein with regard to singlet oxygen quenching.
Pretty amazing antioxidant… wouldn’t you agree?*
The above comparisons have been made against some incredible nutrients in their own right. Yet, astaxanthin blows them away when it comes down to effective free radical scavenging and singlet oxygen quenching.*
And here’s even more on how astaxanthin is potentially so effective…
- Able to cross the blood-brain barrier and the blood-retinal barrier (beta-carotene and some others don’t do this)…*
- Protects your eyes, brain, and nervous system from oxidative stress*
- Potentially reduces DNA damage caused by free radicals*
So, all you have to do is run out to your local health store or vitamin shop to pick up this extraordinary nutrient.
Correct?
Well, it’s not that simple and there are some warnings and issues you should be aware of…
Warning: Make Sure You Get the REAL Deal
Like all nutrients, you need to be on the lookout for synthetic varieties and, in my opinion, try to avoid them.
Fortunately with astaxanthin, this is not as much an issue with supplements. How so? Well, that I’m aware of, synthetic astaxanthin is not used in any supplements for consumption by human beings.
This is the good news…
The bad news is synthetic astaxanthin is still most commonly found in animal feeds. So, if you believe you’re eating healthy by consuming salmon, but the salmon is not ‘wild’ or ‘naturally colored,’ there’s a good chance you’re consuming synthetic astaxanthin indirectly.
So, what’s so bad about that?
Well, the majority of synthetic astaxanthin is produced from highly-processed petrochemicals. That means you could be consuming some forms of synthetic chemicals if you eat farmed salmon.
See, fish farmers need a way to color the salmon so they look fresh (attractive pinkish-orange-red color).
That’s where often times synthetic astaxanthin fits the bill. Some aquaculture companies are considering using natural astaxanthin because it’s healthier for the salmon and has superior pigmentation advantages. There’s only one main barrier preventing most from doing this… it costs more.
So, when buying salmon, I recommend you make sure to find wild Pacific salmon because it contains astaxanthin that is…
- 20 times stronger than synthetic astaxanthin
- 400% higher in quantity than farmed salmon
- 100% natural in the salmon’s pigment, and not synthetic
Plus, you’d have to eat several ounces every single day to get the same dose of astaxanthin that is present in the natural supplement I'll be introducing to you next…
So, what, in my opinion, is the best way to get natural astaxanthin?
Why Supplementation May Be One of Your Best Approaches
To me, one of the best ways to get natural astaxanthin is through supplementation. Don’t get me wrong, wild Pacific salmon is an excellent alternative.
But as a reminder and due to the following, consuming wild Pacific salmon (particularly, sockeye) might not be completely practical because…
- Wild Pacific salmon is expensive for most people
- You’d have to eat approximately 3-4 ounces per day, every day, to get the approximate equivalent of 4mg of a natural astaxanthin supplement
- Wild salmon may contain mercury and other risky heavy metals
Well, even with my Krill Oil having one of the highest concentrations of astaxanthin on the market today, new research shows you can benefit from even higher amounts.
And that’s why I recommend a natural astaxanthin supplement for those interested in the potential health benefits.*
So, with all this said, here’s my recommendations on…
What to Look for in a Natural Formula
I’ve already reviewed above some of the potential pitfalls with some of the sources of astaxanthin.
Here’s a simple list of factors that I recommend you consider when finding a natural supplement formula…
- Make sure the astaxanthin formula is created from natural marine microalgae and not some form of fungus, or some other less effective form.
- Due to the fact astaxanthin is best absorbed when taken with a ‘fatty’ meal (lipid soluble), look for a formula that contains some sort of natural oil or fatty acid that will help maximize your absorption. Without this additional ingredient, your absorption could be less than optimal.
- Don’t just settle for what’s necessarily on the label of the bottle. Dig deeper into finding out more info on how the manufacturer guarantees stability and efficacy of the formula.
- In addition, make sure the manufacturer can provide solid evidence they don’t use chemical solvents or preservatives in their formulation processes.
- Due to new research, most recommendations for daily dosages of natural astaxanthin can now range from 4-8mg. So, look for at least a 4mg minimum serving size so you won’t have to take as many capsules.
**Dr. Mercola is the founder of the world’s most visited natural health web site, Mercola.com.
