What is astaxanthin?
Astaxanthin is what is known as a carotenoid. Carotenoids are pigments that are found naturally in various organisms. It occurs naturally in organisms like salmon, crabs, shrimp, chicken, and egg, as well as trout, yeast, and microalgae, to name a few. It occurs naturally in certain algae as well. So, the pinkish-red tinge of colour that these organisms possess, comes from the presence of this carotenoid. The muscle of salmon happens to have the highest concentration of astaxanthin in the animal kingdom. It is an antioxidant as well. But that’s not all, a recent study showed that it has antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties too.

Astaxanthin is obtained from which source
Astaxanthin is produced from H. Pluvialis is the main source for human consumption. Haematococcus Pluvialis (Chlorophyta) is a freshwater, unicellular algae with a rather complex life cycle. Its ovoid vegetative cells are motile by way of two flagella and during growth, nonmotile cells (cysts) also occur. For dietary supplement in humans and animals, astaxanthin is obtained from seafood or extracted from H. Pluvialis.

Astaxanthin Uses and benefits
So we now know that astaxanthin is a carotenoid, but what exactly are its uses and benefits?

1. Works As A Great Antioxidant
An antioxidant can protect your body from the negative effects of free radicals, which are harmful to you. Antioxidants can accept or donate electrons, without getting destroyed, thereby balancing the effects of the free radicals. Additionally, antioxidants also protect the body from cell damage. It works as a great antioxidant. In fact, among all the carotenoids, astaxanthin happens to have the highest antioxidant properties. As an antioxidant, it helps lower oxidative stress that is caused due to being overweight and smoking of tobacco as well. Oxidative stress takes place when there is an imbalance between the free radicals and antioxidants in the body, which will increase the risk of free radicals. When there is an increase in free radicals, you are bound to experience inflammation. A good intake of antioxidants like astaxanthin can help reverse this issue by neutralizing the effect of free radicals.

2. Helps In Reducing Pain And Inflammation
It can help relieve pain, especially pain and inflammation related to arthritis. It also helps with joint pain, rheumatoid arthritis, and carpal tunnel syndrome. Both rheumatoid arthritis as well as carpal tunnel syndrome, are the leading causal factors of joint pain. However, there is insufficient evidence to back the effects of astaxanthin on carpal tunnel syndrome. Additionally, it has shown positive results in preventing inflammation caused by the H. pylori bacteria as well.

3. Treatment Of Cancer
Antioxidants can play a significant role in the treatment of cancer, as it helps protect damaged cells. The high antioxidant properties of astaxanthin are beneficial for the protection from cancer-causing cells. One study concluded that it has both long term and short term benefits in the treatment of breast cancer, where it leads to the death of breast cancer cells.

4. Great For Your Eyes
Antioxidants can help protect the retina of the eye from oxidative damage. It has superior antioxidant activity, that is great for your retina, as well as age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and eye strain and fatigue. Since it is found mainly in fish, the consumption of it includes omega-3 fatty acids, which again, is great for your eyes.

6. Increases Male Fertility
Infertility can be frustrating. While there are several causal factors of infertility like obesity, hormonal issues, testicular trauma, and genetic issues, there is another cause as well – oxidative stress. Sperm oxidative stress and infertility can be strongly linked. Astaxanthin’s antioxidant properties can help deal with this. A study in 2005 says that It can help with male fertility as well [9]. According to the study, the research that was conducted on a group of men saw positive results, which included better quality of sperm like motility and count, and overall improvement of fertility. Yet another study claimed that It can help with sperm capacitation as well. However, since this particular research was conducted on a small group of people, it is insufficient evidence. More research will be necessary to support this claim.

10. Regulation Of Cholesterol
Most people have a misconception that cholesterol is bad. However, the fact is that the liver naturally produces cholesterol. This, in turn, is sent out to the blood, and then used for the cell and for making hormones. But, the problems start when there is an abnormal increase in the cholesterol levels, which settles along the blood vessels, causing a blockage. This is the perfect recipe for heart attacks and other heart-related ailments, as well as strokes.

In Conclusion
Now we know that it is great for your body. However, the human body does not naturally produce this carotenoid. Due to this, it is imperative that we consume foods that have natural astaxanthin. In case this is not possible, the other alternative is to take dietary supplements of astaxanthin.