First of all, how do we pronounce this nutritional gem? It’s Astazanthin, pronounced with a “z” but spelled with an “x”. All of us care about our health and rate of aging and astaxanthin is a warrior against oxidative stress brought on by too many free radical attacks on a cellular level! Antioxidants protect your cells while the body and skin do the repair work. I love the anti-aging writings and research of Dr. Al Sears, and will be sharing some facts from him and other doctors on possibly the strongest antioxidant in the world; astaxanthin is part of the carotenoid family of nutrients which includes beta-carotene. 
Here are some Fun Facts! Astaxanthin may be the best antioxidant for DNA protection, more than 6000X more effective than vitamin C, 800 X more than COQ10 and 550X more than vitamin E and green tea! According to Dr. Gerald Cysewski, an authority on micro-algae research, over 200 studies demonstrate the many super-charged antioxidant health benefits of astaxanthin. First and most importantly from our anti-aging vantage point, is skin health. By now, thanks to much media exposure, we know that free radicals are highly reactive molecules that cause premature cellular death when left unchecked. This can damage our internal organs and lead to aging of the skin. Natural astaxanthin is very unique due to the shape of its molecule. It protects the entire cell from damage because it is both water and fat-soluble. Research shows that astaxanthin benefits our skin by improving the moisture content, promoting better elasticity, reducing wrinkles and the appearance of age spots. It may even help prevent skin cancer by its UV protective qualities of the cellular membranes. Taking a natural Astaxanthin supplement of 4-6 mg. has been noted to be anti-inflammatory and to act as an “edible sunscreen”, working from the inside out to soothe skin during harsh sun exposure and with the after effects of sunburn. Supplementation may also benefit the skin by protecting and supporting the nerves that carry blood and nutrients to the cells.It is noted that people notice a nice improvement within 2-6 weeks of astaxanthin supplementation. I take a 10-12 mg. supplement. It is best to take it with food, preferably with an oil to get the best benefits. I consider supplementation as a safety net for when my healthy eating is compromised. As with any supplement recommendation, especially for pregnant and breast-feeding women, always check with your doctor!
Topical use on the skin with astaxanthin is just now being talked about in the U.S. market as a promising new anti-aging ingredient , but it has been in Sleekskin’s Brilliance Antioxidant Serum for the last 2 & 1/2 years!!! My formula also pairs it with vitamin C and other stellar ingredients for superior collagen production and skin brightening! Topically, astaxanthin works so well as a brightening agent, showing a 35-59% improvement in skin elasticity and smoothness . It reduces hyper pigmentation and melanin production by about 40% , including dark eye circles !More health benefits of our new friend astaxanthin include eye and brain health. Again, due to the unique shape of the astaxanthin molecule, it can cross the blood-brain barrier! This assists neurodegenerative conditions like macular degeneration, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Disease. It can also cross the blood-retinal barrier, so it is a terrific supplement for eye health! Want to improve joint and tendon health? Yes, astaxanthin will help in a quicker post-exercise recovery. This is great for all of us, especially athletes.
By now you may be wondering what the food sources of astaxanthin include? The best way to ingest this and other antioxidants, is to “eat the rainbow” as they say. This includes all manner of fruits and vegetables and a few nuts per day. You can find astaxanthin in its highest concentration in wild salmon, which contains 450% more than in farm-raised salmon! You can also get it in lobster, shrimp, crab, salmon roe, and some wild berries. This is what gives these marine creatures their reddish/pink color. Here’s a cute fun fact- did you know that Flamingos are born white/gray and develop their pink color from eating fish that contain astaxanthin? Flamingos and some other red-colored birds are unable to digest the astaxanthin, so it accumulates in their feathers and feet!! I’m glad we don’t have this side effect!!
It’s a fascinating concept that certain foods and supplements can really make a difference in our health and aging. The more I learn about “skintrition” and cellular longevity, the more exciting I feel the future will be for aesthetics and our vitality! It’s a pleasure to share these monthly articles with you and thank you for your interest. Please contact me for any of your aesthetic needs at 480-315-1364.
Yours in Beauty,
Debbie Davis-Licensed Aesthetician/Owner and Certified Holistic Nutritionist at Sleekskin Aesthetics