Astaxanthin is a potent antioxidant found in marine life, and can also be produced synthetically. It is used in feed products for chicken, shrimp, and salmon, and can be taken as a dietary supplement to boost immune system function and potentially prevent heart disease. It is significantly more effective than other carotenoids and vitamin E, but should be discussed with a healthcare provider before use. It can be obtained from consuming certain foods or purchased in capsule form.
Astaxanthin is a powerful antioxidant found naturally in various types of marine life, including krill, shrimp and salmon. Classified as a carotenoid in the terpene class of phytochemicals, the naturally occurring nutrient is considerably more potent than antioxidants such as vitamin E. This particular carotenoid can also be produced synthetically.
There are a number of sources for astaxanthin. Along with various types of fish, this dietary supplement can also be harvested from yeast and even the feathers of some birds. In addition to ingesting the antioxidant by consuming fish, you can also purchase the product in capsule and pill form to use as a daily dietary supplement or as an additive to other foods.
It is not uncommon for synthetic and natural astaxanthin to be used as an ingredient in feed products for chicken, shrimp and salmon. The nutrient helps add color to meat and eggs, as well as promote growth. This makes the inclusion of astaxanthin ideal for use on farms where shrimp, chicken and salmon are actively grown for sale.
For humans, astaxanthin is valuable as an antioxidant. This property makes the nutrient ideal for boosting immune system function. As a result, it may have a beneficial impact on preventing the development of heart disease. Because astaxanthin crosses the blood-brain barrier, it may also benefit brain, eye, and nervous system function.
The efficacy of astaxanthin as an antioxidant is significantly higher than that of other carotenoids. In general, this carotenoid is more effective than lycopene and lutein and is even considered to be at least ten times more effective than beta-carotene. Compared to vitamin E, this supplement can be up to five hundred times more potent.
As with many dietary supplements, it’s important to discuss the use of astaxanthin with your healthcare provider if you are taking medications for any type of cardiovascular or nervous system disorder. In some cases, the supplement may increase the effects of the drug to undesirable levels. Your doctor can provide you with information about any interactions and also give you some guidelines on how much supplement to take on a daily basis.
While it is possible to get astaxanthin from consuming foods such as shrimp and salmon, there are a number of dietary supplements that include the antioxidant. Additionally, you can get astaxanthin capsules from many health food and vitamin stores. In many cases, the individual supplements are synthetic rather than natural, although some use a blend of natural and synthetic ingredients.
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