If you’re on the hunt for beauty products, you may have a few brand names and ingredients that come to mind.
And none of those may include astaxanthin.
Asta-what?
Pronounced -asta like pasta and -xanthin like “zan-thin,” this antioxidant really should be a part of your beauty arsenal.
And as an antioxidant, there’s a lot more to it than meets the eye.
Some of you might be thinking…”Wait…I thought it helped with exercise?” And you wouldn’t be wrong.
As it turns, astaxanthin has a variety of potential benefits due to its antioxidant properties.
What Is It, Though?
Okay, we have to admit the name sounds a little…scary. We’re not alone on this, right? It sounds a little chemical-related, making your thoughts wander — like, would ingesting it accidentally give you radioactive superpowers?
It is super, but naturally. So, you don’t have to worry about shooting webs out your palms. Sorry, if that is what you were looking forward to.
So, really, what is it?
This antioxidant is actually a carotenoid pigment that is responsible for the pink, reddish color of many of the life under the sea, like shrimp, salmon and microalgae. Yup, pretty natural for a weird-sounding name, right?
What Can It Do?
The origin of this pigment is great and all, but you’re here for the deets. Well, this antioxidant can fit into many health routines.
For the Fitness Lover
Astaxanthin could become an integral part of your regimen if you’re exercising. How so?
Actually, it can be of benefit in a couple ways:
- It can support endurance.
When we exercise, our body tends to produce free radicals. What are those? They are unstable atoms that can potentially damage cells. Astaxanthin can help support the body’s response to free radical damage. In turn, this can help your body recovery more easily and effectively after workouts.
- It can help balance lactic acid.
While working out, lactic acid builds up. This happens when the body oxygen supply is limited (like when you’re breathing heavy while putting in work on the elliptical), and it can potentially affect soreness and recovery. By helping balance this, the pigment helps promote a more effective and quicker recovery.
- It may aid the body’s response to inflammation.
Pushing your muscles to the limits could lead to inflammation. As an antioxidant, cartenoid can help support the body’s response to inflammation. In fact, one study conducted by the University of Belgrade’s School of Medicine researched this purported benefit.
Researchers studied the effects on 20 soccer players, while another 20 were given a placebo. After three months, researchers measured sorted levels — one of which is was C-reactive protein, a protein that signals inflammation. The group who took a supplement of the antioxidant pigment found that their levels were lowered.
For the Beauty Gurus
Okay, we said that you should add astaxanthin to your beauty arsenal, but we haven’t explained why. You might have already figured it out, because we did give a few hints!
As it turns out, helping the body respond to free radicals and lactic acid does wonders, even so in the world of beauty! As it can help the body manage oxidative damage, the same applies to the skin!
- It can help with skin elasticity.
In one study, a combined method of both oral and topical astaxanthin showed great results in both men and women! Participants enjoyed positive changes in wrinkles, age spots, and skin elasticity and moisture.
- It may help protect the skin from the sun.
Natural sunscreen, anyone? Okay, maybe it’s not sunscreen exactly, but it can be a natural alternative when compared to some harmful sprays! Consumption has been linked to eye and skin protection from UVA and B damage by quenching singlet and triplet oxygen.
How Can You Get Yours?
Sounds asta-awesome! Pardon our enthusiasm, but astaxanthin gets us hyped. If you’re hyped too, you might be wondering just how to get your hands on this.
One way is to eat more salmon. You could also turn to supplements, but with brands you trust….like us!
Our Super Xanthin contains a potent source of astaxanthin, plus the added bonus of spirulina. Together these two sea-based ingredients help protect the body deal with muscle tissue and oxidative damage.
Looking for more?
We suggest pairing Super Xanthin with some of our others faves:
- Super Amino: Supports healthy weight loss goals
- Biome Medic: Aids with healthy inflammatory response via the gut
- Apothe-Cherry: Helps reduce the buildup of uric acid that can lead to inflammation
Sources and studies:
https://www.healthline.com/health/health-claims-astaxanthin
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26167194
http://www.actabp.pl/pdf/1_2012/43.pdf
