When addressing various skin conditions, including age spots, wrinkles, dry skin, sun damage, psoriasis, and other commonly experienced visible signs of imbalanced health, both conventional allopathic doctors and natural or alternative doctors tend to overlook the importance of mitochondria in relation to skin health.
Mitochondria are intracellular powerhouses that produce up to 95% of your body’s energy. They are particularly abundant in muscle tissue, which has one of the greatest demands for quick bursts of energy.
One “side effect” to energy production is production of free radicals, which are highly reactive oxygen molecules that create damage within cells and lead to aging processes and sore muscles after exercise.
This is why antioxidants found in various foods have been promoted to counteract “oxidation” caused by free radical damage. But which antioxidants are most effective at scavenging these free radicals?
Scientists and leading-edge health practitioners and raw foods experts have been astounded by recent discoveries in the properties of astaxanthin, an antioxidant found in marine algae, wild salmon, and krill oil. This amazing superfood antioxidant is 6000 times more powerful than vitamin C and 800 times better than CoQ10 at quenching “singlet oxygen” species which wreak havok inside the body.
Additionally, astaxanthin has been found to cross the blood-brain barrier and the blood-retinal barrier, meaning that it has the power to protect your brain and your eyes from free radical damage. Beta-carotene does not have this property!
If you are interested in giving astaxanthin a try for anti-aging purposes, or to get rid of sun damage, wrinkles, liver spots, or other skin conditions (or to protect your eyes, brain, or increase your athletic endurance), we recommend using a form of astaxanthin derived from microalgae (less concern with toxins, heavy metals, and nuclear radiation than from fish). It is also wise to look for astaxanthin that is combined with an essential fatty acid and an oil such as rosemary oil to ensure proper uptake of the nutrient as well as product stability.
The best astaxanthin supplement we have found is made by Pure Encapsulations, and we offer it here at Holistic Chinese Herbs for just $55.99 for a 4-month supply.
Buy Astaxanthin 120 gels $55.99
Ingredients per softgel:
astaxanthin (naturally derived from Haematococcus pluvialis microalgae) 4 mg.
lutein (naturally occurring) 40 mcg.
vitamin A (as beta carotene) (naturally occurring) 65 i.u.
vitamin E (d-alpha tocopherol) 50 i.u.
other ingredients: rosemary liquid extract, high oleic safflower oil, gelatin
Suggested use:
1-3 capsules per day, with meals.
For those of you who require a more budget-friendly form of sun protection for your skin, we also like the product BioAstin, which is made by Nutrex Hawaii. This brand does not have as much vitamin E, and it uses safflower oil and glycerin as adjuvents instead of rosemary oil and olive oil, which is why the price is much cheaper.
Buy BioAstin 4mg 60 gels $21.98
INGREDIENTS:
SERVING SIZE: 1 Softgel Capsules
SERVINGS PER CONTAINER: 60
AMOUNT PER SERVING:
Vitamin A (Beta Carotene) 65 IU
Vitamin E (d-alpha tocopherol) 10 IU
Natural Astaxanthin 4 mg
Lutein 40 mcg
Safflower oil, Gelatin, glycerin, purified water.
Free of yeast, corn, wheat or soy.
Non-GMO and BSE free.
{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
Does Kan Herb offer an Astaxanthin product?
Hi Erika! Astaxanthin is an antioxidant that comes from either microalgae or krill (a tiny fish). Kan Herb is a company that exclusively manufactures Traditional Chinese Herbal tinctures and tablets. Therefore, they do not produce astaxanthin supplements.
I take a multi vitamin with 5000 mg of Vit A as well as Vit E and more. I also take Cod Liver Oil twice daily. I would like to address wrinkles and brown spots but don’t want to overload. Would this product be good for me? I’m 73 and up to now am in very good health, except for high cholesterol. My Dr. wants me on a Statin but I refused. Cholestrol is 240 and I have a family history of heart disease. Any suggestions?
Thank you for any advise you’re comfortable giving.
Fay, the MAXIMUM recommended dosage for vitamin A is 3,000 mcg (not milligrams!), and there is additional vitamin A (and vitamin D) in cod liver oil. I would exercise caution against taking excessive amounts of vitamins A, D, E, and K. In fact, I never recommend taking vitamin A. Excessive amounts of vitamin A can actually interfere with absorption of vitamin K, which can prevent you from bruising or bleeding easily. Instead, beta carotene (the form of vitamin A naturally found in foods like carrots) would be a much safer choice. In fact, did you know that just 1/2 cup of raw carrots or 1 cup of cooked spinach per day completely fulfills your vitamin A requirements?
As for your high cholesterol, 240 is certainly a high number for total cholesterol. However, this actually tells us very little about the true picture of what is going on with your cholesterol. Instead, the ratio between your HDL and LDL cholesterol is much more useful. Your triglyceride level should also be known. Ideally, your LDL number ÷ your HDL number should be less than 4. If LDL/HDL is greater than 5, you are at risk for heart disease. There are many dietary and lifestyle modifications that can help lessen this ratio, which you should discuss with a licensed healthcare practitioner. Statin drugs do have many dangerous side effects, as you are probably aware, and it is often much safer to address cholesterol concerns with proper dietary and lifestyle precautions.
As an answer to your question, astaxanthin would be a better and safer choice than vitamin A supplementation.
Jamie,
I hope you believe in “Better Late Than Never”. I shoulld have written much sooner.
Thank you very much for your input regarding my high cholestrol.
I used the formula you gave, and my number was just under 4. I’m still working out and watching what I eat. I’d like to lower my LDL just to be on safe side.
Did I understand that you believe Astaxanthin is a good anti aging product in terms of skin care/wrinkles? Do you think it’s as effective as Resveratrol?
Thank you.
Fay
In regards to skin health, astaxanthin is the #1 nutrient. It also protects against sunburn so there is no need to use harmful SPF products.
Hi! I’ve been wanting to start taking astaxanthin for quite some time but since I was diagnosed by an endocrinologist with sub-acute thyroiditis, he said I should not consume any type of algae since my thyroid cannot take more iodine. I haven’t been able to find whether or not astaxanthin contains iodine.
Thyroiditis is an autoimmune condition caused by having a weak immune system that is mistakenly attacking your body’s own thyroid gland. Some people with thyroiditis develop sensitivities to iodine, which is a mineral required for healthy thyroid function. It is usually recommended that when taking any iodine supplement, to start with a very small amount and gradually increase the dosage. Many people often make the mistake of taking a large dose of iodine after having been iodine deficient for many years. This almost always causes a reaction — either acute hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism. Symptoms usually go away when the high dosage of iodine is discontinued. Most medical doctors do not learn anything about the relationship between nutrition and disease, so they typically do not understand how iodine works in the human body. Astaxanthin is not an iodine supplement, and therefore is not expected to cause any issues with the thyroid gland.
Hi Jamie, love all the new resources, etc you have created. I posted on your FB page about Astaxanthin, but will ask here. My doctor told me about astaxanthin for a natural anti-inflamatory, would you recommend either of these products for inflamatory pain? Thank you Jamie!
Gail, thanks for the compliments! Astaxanthin is a great anti-inflammatory as well as a natural sunblock when taken daily on a regular basis. Many athletes use astaxanthin for post-workout muscle recovery because of its anti-inflammatory effects.
Don’t forget, shipping on all orders of astaxanthin is free all day today!
Hi Jamie,
Hope there are recent posts re: Astaxanthin. Just started taking
for all the mentioned health benefits. a little concerned, I had my
thyroid removed approx 6 years ago and have been on .125mg of synthroid tabs daily. will taking 4 mg of astaxanthin and approx . 3 g
of chlorella daily be ok. I also supplement with a multi, vitamin D and C, Calicium, milk thistle, acaii berry.
Thanks, Maryann
hi jamie! i have hyperthyroidism and wanted to know if it is ok for me to take marine omega with krill oil? i read some articles regarding the so many health benefits that can be obtained from that product..i wanted to try it but im afraid that it has a bad effects on my active thyroid gland.. im taking PTU(prophylthiouracil) as of now. thank you and GOD bless!