Astaxanthin

Astaxanthin is often referred to as the “king of carotenoids” and is found in certain algae, salmon, trout (it was gives then their pink colour), krill, shrimp and yeast. As per some sources, natural astaxanthin may be a more powerful antioxidant than Vitamin E, Vitamin C, Pycnogenol and Beta Carotene. This substance is gaining some popularity within both athletes and the life extension crowd. Studies have also shown that astaxathin may reduce DNA damage, benefit immune support and help with excess inflammation.

I have been taking NOW Astaxanthin for about a month. This product has 4mg of BioAstin Natural Astaxanthin from Hawaiian Hawmetococcus pluvialis extract and comes in a softgel.

Vitamin E  (as Natural d-alpha Tocopherol) 50IU
BioAstin® Natural Astaxanthin                                       4mg
(from Haematococcus pluvialis Extract)
Lutein                                                                              40mcg

The dosing protocol I followed was 2 gelcaps (8mg) per day with fat containing meals for the first week and then moving to 1 gelcap (4mg) of astaxanthin per day after that. For those that prefer tablets, I have also seen astaxanthin being made available in tablet form by Source Naturals.

Readers who may be interested in protecting their skin from sunlight and maintaining younger looking, wrinkle free skin - there is some astaxanthin research out there that warrants further study on its potential for preventing skin damage.