Astaxanthin
Anti-inflammatory – Antioxidant
Astaxanthin is derived from the microalgae Haematococcus pluvialis
Astaxanthin is a red colored carotenoid pigment that naturally occurs in most marine crustaceans and some species of fish. It is responsible for the reddish tinge that usually accompanies these animals, a prominent example being the pink colored flesh of the salmon fish. Salmon has been associated with numerous health benefits; in turn some of these have been traced to astaxanthin. Some of those mentioned benefits are in the areas of eye health, joint health and heart health.
- Astaxanthin has an antioxidant action up to 500 times that of vitamin E, which has led some experts to term it as “Super Vitamin E”.
- Astaxanthin is the most stable antioxidant. Typically, an antioxidant becomes unstable after quenching a free radical, and in the process becomes a free radical itself. However, astaxanthin due to its unique molecular structure that allows it to span the cell’s lipid bi-layer and also because of its long double-bonded chain, can stabilize free radicals by adding them to its structure, rather than sacrificing an atom or electron. This makes it a better antioxidant than others.
- Astaxanthin’s low molecular weight and unique structure combine in allowing it to cross the “Blood Brain Barrier”, and the “Blood Retina Barrier”, making it available to the eye, brain and central nervous system. This helps alleviate oxidative stress that has been shown to contribute to ocular and neurodegenerative diseases involving memory loss and vision problems.
- Astaxanthin exhibits three types of isomerism. They are the 3S,3’S, 3R,3’S, and 3R,3’R stereoisomer’s. Of the three, the 3S, 3’S isomers are the most stable and is believed to be an adaptive feature to be able to store astaxanthin in tissues without excessive oxidation.
- The 3S, 3’S stereoisomer is the main form found in Haematococcus pluvialis, synthetic astaxanthin contains the 3R 3’S isomer, which is not convertible to the more common and natural 3S 3’S form. Therefore, Haematococcus pluvialis is the best source of astaxanthin for human applications
- Astaxanthin has been studied to have very powerful anti-inflammatory properties, hence enhancing its function in eye, heart and joint health.
Spirulina also has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties because it contains http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gamma-Linolenic_acid. The two are combined in one caplet for convenience.
| Spirulina/Astaxanthin 500 mg Caplets |
Per 3g Serving |
| Protein |
1.8 g |
| Total Carotenoids |
12.6 mg |
| Astaxanthin |
1 mg |
| Xanthophylls |
5.4 mg |
| Beta-carotene |
5 mg |
| Vitamin B12 |
> 50% RDI |
| Phycocyanin |
480 mg |
| Minerals |
200 mg |
|
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About Bob McCauley
Bob McCauley, ND (Robert F., Jr.) was raised in Lansing, Michigan and attended Michigan State University (BA, 1980 in Journalism). He is a naturopathic doctor, Master Herbalist and a Certified Nutritional Consultant. He has traveled extensively, both domestically and abroad, visiting over 32 countries. He published Confessions of a Body Builder: Rejuvenating the Body with Spirulina, Chlorella, Raw Foods and Ionized Water (2000), Achieving Great Health (2005), The Miraculous Properties of Ionized Water, (2006) which is the only book on the market that exclusively addresses Ionized Water, Twelve (Fiction, 2007) and Honoring the Temple of God (2008). He considers himself a Naturalist, meaning he pursues health in the most natural way possible. He studies and promotes nature as the only way to true health.
From 2002-2004 he hosted the radio program Achieving Great Health, which was heard by thousands of people each day. His guests included some of the most well-known and respected names in the natural health world.
With the help of his father, Dr. Robert F. McCauley, Sr. (Doctorate in Environmental Engineering, MIT, 1953) they started Spartan Water Company in 1992, which sold vended water machines in supermarkets. Robert Jr. founded Spartan Enterprises, Inc. in 1993. He is a Certified Water Technician with the State of Michigan. He is also a Type II Public Water Supply Specialist and has the certifications of S-5 and D-5. The McCauley family has a long history in the water industry. Bob's father pioneered environmental issues regarding ground water and drinking water quality. He received his Ph.D. from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in 1953 for his thesis on removing radioactive strontium from water. He earned his doctorate in Environmental Engineering in less than 2 years, one of the shortest doctoral studies in the history of MIT. He taught civil, sanitary and environmental engineering at Michigan State University for 18 years before retiring to run Wolverine Engineers & Surveyors of Mason, Michigan, for 17 years. His reputation throughout Michigan as a water quality expert was legendary. Bob worked for his father's company for 12 years learning the water business, which dealt primarily with municipalities, including water quality and sanitary sewer issues.
After apprenticing with his father, Bob moved on to the bottled water business. He established greater Michigan's biggest selling bottled water: Michigan Mineral – Premium Natural Water. He was introduced to Ionized Water in 1995 and has done more to promote Ionized Water than anyone else in the industry. Bob often lectures and offers seminars on his Seven Component Natural Health Protocol .
Bob is a Certified Nutritional Consultant and a Certified Master Herbalist. He is also a 3rd Degree Black Belt and Certified Instructor of Songahm Taekwondo (American Taekwondo Association).
How do you purchase Spirulina with Astaxanthin…? There is nothing on your web-site about purchase…
Russell
Informative I would like to know more about the micro algae
Pingback: Astaxanthin in the News - Combined with Spirulina | Bob McCauley's Blog
If I have an allergy to fish ,is it safe to take astaxanthin?
Where do you purchase Spirulina with Astaxanthin? How about giving a source?