Pearls in Medicine

Thursday, September 20, 2012

Top 13 astaxanthin benefits for health

From: http://astaxanthin.wellwise.org/astaxanthin-benefits

1. Astaxanthin benefit for asthma –

Like two commonly used antihistamines antihistamines, astaxanthin has been shown in a laboratory to suppress activation of certain T cells associated with asthma.

2. Astaxanthin benefit for Alzheimer’s, brain health –

Astaxanthin has been shown to improve “working memory,” and may even contribute to the prevention of dementia.

3. Astaxanthin benefit for blood pressure –

Astaxanthin has been shown to significantly increase peripheral capillary blood flow, and reduce both systolic and diastolic blood pressure.

4. Astaxanthin benefit for cancer –

When free radicals damage DNA cells, cancer can be an unfortunate consequence. Astaxanthin has been shown in animal models to prevent cancer of the bladder, colon and mouth.

5. Astaxanthin benefit for carpal tunnel syndrome –

Astaxanthin has been shown to improve carpal tunnel syndrome, reducing the severity and duration of pain.

6. Astaxanthin benefit for diabetics –

Astaxanthin’s antioxidant power counteracts the free radicals resulting from high glucose levels in diabetics. It also may prevent the progression of diabetic nephropathy.

7. Astaxanthin benefit for exercise performance –

Though as yet considered inconclusive, research suggests that astaxanthin can improve endurance and strength, and may decrease the accumulation of fat.

8. Astaxanthin benefit for eye health –

Astaxanthin protects the macula at the center of the retina from degeneration from UV light, heading off Age-Related Macular Degeneration, the world’s leading cause of blindness.

9. Astaxanthin benefit for the heart –

With more astaxanthin in the blood stream, HDL cholesterol (the “good” kind) production goes up and LDL cholesterol (the “bad” kind) is protected from free radical damage.

10. Astaxanthin benefit for heartburn –

Researchers found that astaxanthin significantly reduced heartburn, especially in patients infected with H. pylori, an inflammatory bacteria that causes ulcers.

11. Astaxanthin benefit for the immune system –

Astaxanthin raises levels of T and B cells, key cells of the immune system. Also, a marker of DNA damage has been shown to be lower in people taking astaxanthin.

12. Astaxanthin benefit for men’s health –

Sperm quality and function improves when astaxanthin is taken as a supplement, and it may help maintain natural testosterone levels in aging men.

13. Astaxanthin benefit for skin –

Astaxanthin has been shown to protect the skin from UV damage that would otherwise damage skin DNA.