Preventing Chronic Disease with Astaxanthin

Preventing chronic disease with Astaxanthin, a naturally occuring carotenoid pigment obtained from crustaceans, fish, and microalgae is the focus in an informative piece written in by Gail Richardson in the July 2011 issue of Life Extension.

In the article this compound has revealed itself through recent findings to have a exceptional preventative capability for zeroing in on the risk factors that create diseases like metabolic syndrome, cancer, heart disease and disorders surrounding the immune system.

Cancer Prevention

The incomparable anti-oxidant abilities of astaxanthin come from multiple actions that naturally create a favorable environment for cancer prevention. Stressed tissue that's vulnerable to easy oxidation is well protected with astaxanthin as it prevents damage to precious DNA cells that would otherwise be susceptible to free radicals that initiate the cell damage that leads to cancer. By inhibiting the initial inflammatory process brought on by COX-2 and NF-kB mediators leading to cancer, that disease never gets a chance to begin.

Metabolic Syndrome Prevention

Metabolic syndrome, a condition in which things like elevated blood sugar due to insulin resistance result in high triglyceride levels, lower HDL levels, and high blood pressure is also positively affected with astaxanthin. This substance has the capability to lower blood sugar by scavenging after the free radicals that harm lipids resulting in decreased insulin sensitivity, while simultaneously encouraging the pancreas to secrete increased amounts of insulin.

Improve Heart Disease

In a healthy vascular system, arteries appropriately respond to stimulation that occurs for the purpose of getting them to relax. This is an important part of vascular health because it helps assist with regulation of blood pressure -- astaxanthin makes a valuable contribution to this aspect of vascular health. Another positive aspect to astaxanthin is its ability to decrease the inflammation that contributes to the artherosclertoic plaque that creates heart disease.

Mental Acuity

Nuero-degeneration appears to be significantly slowed or in some cases stopped as a result of astaxanthin. The health challenges that afflict the brain are much improved as a result of astaxanthins ability to quench free radicals, and therefore oxidative harm to the brain's precious neurons. This article also adds that a recent human study revealed that this substance lowered the build up of a toxic metabolite that tends toward dementia.

Source: Life Extension's July 2011 issue.