Reduces excessive inflammation and muscle damage
Improves muscle endurance and recovery
Lowers lactic acid build up and fatigue
Enhances fat metabolism by protecting muscle mitochondria from oxidation
Decreases loss of muscle function in those affected by sarcopenia
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Astaxanthin is a naturally occurring carotenoid derived from the microalgae Haematococcus pluvialis. It is one of the most powerful natural antioxidants known to science that exerts anti-inflammatory properties as well. Owing to its unique molecular structure, natural astaxanthin is able to span the entire lipid bilayer of the cell membrane and provide superior cell and mitochondrial protection from free radical damage.
Muscle cells are subject to breakdown and inflammation during and after strenuous physical activity. Natural astaxanthin can counteract the excessive exercise-induced inflammatory processes and thus prevent injuries. Studies have shown significant results after a short-term supplementation.
A placebo-controlled, double-blind study with young football players showed that 4 mg of AstaReal® natural astaxanthin per day for 90 days significantly reduced markers for oxidative stress (1). In similar study, astaxanthin improved the salivary IgA response and prevented elevation of the inflammatory marker C-reactive protein (CRP) (2). The results indicate that natural astaxanthin supplementation combined with physical training attenuates muscle damage by scavenging of free radicals and blunting of the systemic inflammatory response.
As astaxanthin seems to protect muscle cells from damage, it may also assist in preventing muscle weakness during ageing. A formulation containing AstaReal® astaxanthin provided >50% increase in endurance and significantly decreased loss of muscle function in study participants affected by sarcopenia (3).
AstaReal® astaxanthin reduces lactic acid build-up, as shown in a study undertaken among runners (4). By supporting aerobic respiration in the mitochondria, astaxanthin can reduce blood lactate accumulation and enhance lactate clearance and so muscle endurance. Another study demonstrated that astaxanthin enhances lipid metabolism in muscles by protecting the mitochondrial proteins that are responsible for fatty acid regulation (5).
In addition, supplementing the diet with a natural nootropic like astaxanthin can help to support mental clarity and focus. AstaReal® astaxanthin has been shown to be simultaneously effective against both mental and physical fatigue (6).
Cyclists who took 4 mg natural AstaReal® astaxanthin daily for 4 weeks increased their power output and cycling speed compared to those without supplementation (7). On average, their power output increased by 15%. In a similar study, daily supplementation of 12 mg astaxanthin increased the cycling speed and fat oxidation in males (8). Another study examined the endurance, fitness and power of 40 healthy men in standard exercise tests (9). The astaxanthin group (4 mg natural AstaReal® astaxanthin daily for 6 months) were able to complete more squats compared to the placebo group, and improved their performance by 35% compared with the baseline.
Djordjevic B, Baralic I, Kotur-Stevuljevic J, Stefanovic A, Ivanisevic J, Radivojevic N, et al. Effect of astaxanthin supplementation on muscle damage and oxidative stress markers in elite young soccer players. J Sports Med Phys Fitness. 2012 Aug;52(4):382–92.
Baralic I, Andjelkovic M, Djordjevic B, Dikic N, Radivojevic N, Suzin-Zivkovic V, et al. Effect of Astaxanthin Supplementation on Salivary IgA, Oxidative Stress, and Inflammation in Young Soccer Players. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2015;2015:783761.
Liu SZ, Ali AS, Campbell MD, Kilroy K, Shankland EG, Roshanravan B, et al. Building strength, endurance, and mobility using an astaxanthin formulation with functional training in elderly. J Cachexia Sarcopenia Muscle. 2018 Oct;9(5):826–33.
Sawaki K, Yoshigi H, Aoki K, Koikawa N, Azumane A, Kaneko K, et al. Sports performance benefits from taking natural astaxanthin characterized by visual acuity and muscular fatigue improvement in humans. J Clin Therap Medicine. 2002;18(9):73–88.*
Aoi W, Naito Y, Takanami Y, Ishii T, Kawai Y, Akagiri S, et al. Astaxanthin improves muscle lipid metabolism in exercise via inhibitory effect of oxidative CPT I modification. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2008 Feb 22;366(4):892–7.
Hongo N, Fujishita M, Takihashi J, Tominaga K. Randomized controlled trial of the anti-fatigue effects of astaxanthin on mental and physical loads simulatin daily life. J Clin Therap Medicine. 2016;32(7):577–91.*
Earnest CP, Lupo M, White KM, Church TS. Effect of astaxanthin on cycling time trial performance. Int J Sports Med. 2011 Nov;32(11):882–8.
Brown DR, Warner AR, Deb SK, Gough LA, Sparks SA, McNaughton LR. The effect of astaxanthin supplementation on performance and fat oxidation during a 40 km cycling time trial. J Sci Med Sport. 2021 Jan;24(1):92–7.
Malmsten C, Lignell Å. Dietary Supplementation with Astaxanthin-Rich Algal Meal Improves Strength Endurance – A Double Blind Placebo Controlled Study on Male Students. Carotenoid Science. 2008;13:20–9.
*References available upon request.
