Astaxanthin is a carotenoid known to provide a wide variety of health benefits such as improved skin health, better physical endurance, benefit heart health and improving eyesight.

Astaxanthin is derived from microalgae called Haematococcus Pluvialis and one of nature’s most potent antioxidants. In fact, studies have shown natural astaxanthin derived from microalgae to be over 500 times stronger than vitamin E and much more potent than other carotenoids and vitamin C.

Astaxanthin reduces wrinkles and improves elasticity

Astaxanthin can prevent the damage caused by UV Rays and thereby help to slow the aging process.

According to one study, 8 weeks of supplementing with astaxanthin showed a decrease in the appearance of wrinkles and the size of age spots, and improved elasticity and moisture retention. Sounds too good to be true? Maybe...but watch this space, I believe in this red algae and think it will become a biohacker ingredient worth counting on.

Great for cognition, mood and mental fatigue

Research suggests a link between oxidative stress, the brain and mental health. The brain is extremely susceptible to oxidative stress and treatment with antioxidants (they fight or reduce the oxidative stress) has been found to have an anti-depressive effect for this same reason.

We also know that there is an involvement of oxidative stress-related mechanisms in anxiety disorders.

One small study also found that it helped reduce mental fatigue and animal studies showed its ability to slow the decline in cognition.

Astaxanthin is able to cross the blood-brain barrier allowing it to have a potential effect on the brain in several ways.

Physical endurance and heart health

Astaxanthin may have the ability to decrease blood pressure, lower LDL cholesterol and improve blood flow.

Some studies also indicate that it can improve endurance during exercise and boost the body’s use of fatty acids.

Microalgae create astaxanthin to protect themselves from the stressful environmental conditions that they live in. Adding astaxanthin to our daily regime is not a bad idea and we can benefit from these extraordinary qualities.

The rich red pigment in astaxanthin gives The Gut Cø REPAIR powder its pink colour. I have mine daily with sparkling water, ice cubes and a slice of lemon of orange; cocktail hour! 

Shop REPAIR here.

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