Have you ever wondered why most marine creatures have white meat and yet a handful have a beautiful pink tone? For many years’ scientists were puzzled by this but once they started looking closer at what made some fish pink, they stumbled upon one of the miracles of nature and one of the most health beneficial elements on earth. Pink sea creatures and fish like salmon, krill, lobsters, and more, contain a substance called astaxanthin. This astaxanthin comes from the algae they eat and has now been shown to have an extraordinary range of health benefits.
What is astaxanthin good for?
Before getting into the side effects of astaxanthin it makes sense to understand what it does and what it can be used for. Astaxanthin is a natural pigment and is one of the most powerful antioxidants known to man. It has many health benefits and can help in the treatment of a vast array of disorders. For this reason, it is one of the most talked-about and requested supplements in the world, used by millions of people every day because of its anti-inflammatory and anti-fatigue properties. The substance is one of an array of powerful micronutrients referred to as carotenoids that are well-know and proven in the treatment of early Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. But there is far more…
More than and Antioxidant
There have been over 1000 peer reviews of astaxanthin and the so-called “King of Carotenoids has been proven in the treatment of many disorders and as a general health booster, so much so that it has become on one of the biggest selling supplements in the world today.
Astaxanthin has been shown to have superb health benefits that include
- Improved Heart Health
- Improved Blood Circulation
- Boosted Immune Response
- Improved Cognitive Function
- Improved Vision
- Healthier, Younger-Looking Skin
- Improved Muscular Performance, Endurance, and Recovery
- Improved Fertility in Men
There are three mind-boggling facts about astaxanthin that make everything so remarkable. Astaxanthin is:
- 65 times more powerful than Vitamin C
- 54 times more powerful than Beta-Carotene
- 12 times more powerful than Vitamin E
With all this goodness, and with the supplement being 100% natural can there be any side effects?
The side effects of astaxanthin
For the vast majority of people, astaxanthin is considered safe, however, there are a handful of side-effects as there are with any supplement, natural or otherwise. Of course, many people absorb astaxanthin naturally when they eat red or pink sea creatures, and so on. The amounts absorbed are minimal and thus, unless allergic to the food itself, side effects barely exist. Generally, astaxanthin is taken orally as a supplement in doses of between 4mg and 40mg daily. It can be taken with other vitamins, minerals, and carotenoids with little harm. However, some people will experience more frequent bowel movements with looser stools that have a reddish color, this is quite normal. There are known cases of astaxanthin “overdose”, generally when upwards of 50mg per day are taken, which results in stomach pain. When any of these symptoms occur, generally a reduction in the dosage is required.
As with all supplements, caution is advised when taking astaxanthin for pregnant mothers and breastfeeding mothers. The reason for this is that, at the time of writing, there has been insufficient research into the side-effects of the supplement. Furthermore, it is generally advisable to seek professional medical advice when considering taking astaxanthin, especially when there are underlying disorders where another medication is being taken.
Overall, astaxanthin is a very safe, natural supplement that has many undeniable health benefits and as research continues it is worthwhile keeping up to date with proceedings.