Astaxanthin

Powerful Antioxidant Formula Supports Natural Antioxidant Defenses Convenient Capsule Format Derived from the Hawaiian microalgae Haematococcus pluvialis grown under ideal conditions, esterified astaxanthin is a stable and powerful fat-soluble antioxidant from the carotenoid family. Research has shown that Haematococcus algae produce astaxanthin to protect against free radical damage caused by ultraviolet rays. Astaxanthin differs from beta-carotene by the presence of two additional oxygen groups on each of its ring structures, which increases its ability to scavenge free radicals. Astaxanthin has been shown to be several hundred times more effective than vitamin E at neutralizing singlet oxygen molecules and to exhibit greater antioxidant activity than zeaxanthin and lutein. Astaxanthin protects cellular phospholipid membranes from oxidative stress. In a clinical evaluation in humans, astaxanthin supplementation for two weeks provided significant antioxidant protection to the skin.