Are you looking for an extremely powerful antioxidant and want to ensure you're always well and adequately protected from free radicals? Then this article is for you, because it's about astaxanthin.
Astaxanthin is known as one of the most powerful antioxidants in existence and is said to be extremely beneficial for mental performance and the protection of your brain cells, as well as for your body's immune system.
In this article, you will learn exactly how it works, which foods contain astaxanthin, and where you can buy astaxanthin.
BRAINEFFECT HACK : In ROCKET C8 ALPHA, we combine our high-quality MCT oil for the ketogenic diet with the powerful antioxidant astaxanthin. The perfect boost for your keto salad or in your buttered coffee.
Table of contents
1. What is astaxanthin?
Astaxanthin is known to be one of the most powerful natural antioxidants you can supply your body with and is therefore essential for both body and mind .
Nevertheless, the active ingredient is still not widely used, and many people consume other antioxidants that have a much lower effect. For example, beta-carotene, which is found in carrots and gives them their red-orange color.
Beta-carotene is also an antioxidant, but its potency is 10 times lower than that of astaxanthin. Things get even more interesting when you consider vitamin E, which is found in high-quality vegetable oils, for example. Vitamin E's antioxidant power is by no means negated; however, astaxanthin has 100 times greater antioxidant power!
But which foods contain astaxanthin? The substance is found primarily in fish such as salmon, but algae also contain it. However, the best food source of astaxanthin is probably krill oil , which contains approximately 8 mg of the active ingredient. Supplements that use krill oil as a base ingredient are significantly more effective than "free astaxanthin."
Compared to salmon, for example, it contains only 2 mg per 100 g of fish. This is not only due to the quantity, but also because the astaxanthin from krill oil is bound to fatty acids, making it easier for your body to absorb it in capsule form. In the form of omega-3 fatty acids and astaxanthin, supplements in capsule form form a perfect symbiosis!
BRAINEFFECT HACK : If this unique combination of ingredients fascinates you as much as we do, you should definitely try our KRILL BOOST and get one of the best antioxidant supplies!
Astaxanthin is an antioxidant currently considered to be the most effective and therefore most beneficial for your performance. In addition to KRILL BOOST , our MCT oil ROCKET C8 ALPHA also contains the valuable antioxidant astaxanthin.
2. The (antioxidant) effect of astaxanthin
But how exactly does astaxanthin work? As an antioxidant, astaxanthin protects you and your cells from environmental free radicals and thus from oxidative stress . Oxidative stress occurs when free radicals have taken over your body and the cell damage process has progressed further.
Astaxanthin, an antioxidant , is deposited in your cells, specifically your mitochondria , and protects them from damage caused by free radicals. This purely natural process is called lipid peroxidation , and primarily affects unsaturated fatty acids such as omega-3 .
Omega-3 fatty acids are extremely important for numerous functions in your body. A study by the Department of Microbiology in Korea has now discovered that astaxanthin intervenes precisely in this process. By activating the body's own antioxidant enzymes, it prevents the breakdown of fatty acids and protects the cells. [1]
It's probably obvious to everyone why protecting your cells is so important: the more your cells are destroyed, the more they age and weaken your immune system overall.
But the destruction of mitochondria, in particular, causes your performance to decline. They are the powerhouses of your cells , and you depend on their health to stay fit and perform at your best.
In addition to the health of cells, specifically DNA, and the maintenance of mitochondria, the effect of astaxanthin on the immune system is particularly noteworthy. The Department of Health Science at the University of Sao Paulo has now discovered that astaxanthin can strengthen the immune system. [2]
By inhibiting certain enzymes or pathways of stimuli, the inflammatory reactions involved can be minimized. This is not only beneficial for the short-term reduction of micro-inflammations , but also has a positive long-term effect on health .
Chronic inflammations such as rheumatism, atherosclerosis, and even inflammation in the brain can be reduced by astaxanthin . The active ingredient reduces two inflammatory messengers in particular: interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α).
On the one hand, astaxanthin reduces existing inflammation and, on the other hand, can also reduce potential diseases by supporting the function of immune cells.
Finally, the active ingredient in krill oil also plays an important role in your cognitive performance . A study by the Graduate School of Medicine at Juntendo University in Japan examined the connection between astaxanthin and cognitive performance in more detail. [3]
In the randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, healthy participants were given a dose of astaxanthin extract.
Over a period of 12 weeks, participants took either 6 mg or 12 mg of the active ingredient. Subsequent cognitive tests showed that mental accuracy and working memory in particular had improved.
This involves the temporary storage or retrieval of information , which was improved by astaxanthin. This shows that astaxanthin also improves cognitive performance!
Take-home message: Astaxanthin has numerous positive mechanisms of action that relate to your overall mental and physical performance:
The advantages at a glance:
- Fewer free radicals, less oxidative stress
- Protection of cells and DNA
- More effective than other antioxidants
- Strengthens the immune system
- Reduces micro-inflammations
- Protects the mitochondria
- Improves cognitive performance
BRAINEFFECT HACK : With us you can get astaxanthien either in KRILL BOOST or in our high-quality MCT oil ROCKET C8 ALPHA .
3. Astaxanthin from krill oil – the purest source!
If you're looking for pure and effective astaxanthin , you'll find krill oil listed as the best source . Never heard of krill oil? That's fine, because it's not as well-known as fish oil, but it has numerous advantages over it, and above all, it's simply more effective.
Astaxanthin, as a natural antioxidant and thus a perfect radical scavenger, plays an important role in krill oil, which is also responsible for its high quality and effectiveness .
Astaxanthin is a natural preservative that makes krill oil stable and long-lasting. Without astaxanthin, krill oil would quickly become rancid and thus no longer be effective.
Fish oils do not contain astaxanthin and are therefore less protected and less valuable . They spoil much faster and also lose their effectiveness.
But there's another important reason why you should buy krill oil as the source of astaxanthin in capsules: Krill oil contains an extremely high amount of omega-3 fatty acids , especially DHA and EPA . These special fatty acids should be an integral part of every diet, but unfortunately, that's often not the case.
A recent study by the University of Maryland demonstrated how important an adequate supply of omega-3 fatty acids is for overall performance. [4]
Essential fatty acids are of great importance both for brain metabolism, i.e. the maintenance and development of cells in the human brain, and for your cardiovascular system.
If you decide to buy astaxanthin, krill oil is unbeatable compared to fish oil or algae because it contains the highest concentrations of DHA and EPA fatty acids, which are protected by astaxanthin, which also has an antioxidant effect. Astaxanthin ensures that the omega-3 fats remain intact .
Due to their perishable double bonds, the fatty acids are extremely vulnerable to free radicals, which, without astaxanthin, would significantly reduce the quality of the krill oil. A perfect blend of ingredients, and best of all: it's completely natural!
By purchasing krill oil , you're killing two birds with one stone, so to speak: you're meeting your needs for omega-3 fatty acids and astaxanthin , practically combined in one capsule ! Krill oil capsules are characteristically red, thanks to the astaxanthin that gives them their color.
BRAINEFFECT HACK: Krill oil is the perfect combination of the omega-3 fatty acids DHA and EPA, and the antioxidant astaxanthin. Krill oil capsules are therefore particularly suitable for ingestion.
Not in the mood for krill? No problem. We also offer astaxanthin in a smart combination with high-quality MCT oil in ROCKET C8 ALPHA . The rocket launch into the ketogenic diet.
4. Conclusion
Do something good for your body and mind by protecting your cells from oxidative stress. Astaxanthin is a natural antioxidant found in krill oil, which offers numerous advantages over fish oils thanks to the combination of its high DHA and EPA content and the astaxanthin.
5. Sources
[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3683506/
[2] https://www.researchgate.net/publication/42834535_Astaxanthin_addition_improves_human_neutrophils_function_In_vitro_study
[3] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3432818/
[4] http://examine.com/supplements/krill-oil/#summary2-0
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