CLS (Complete Life Solution) – Natural Astaxanthin

Natural Astaxanthin

Astaxanthin is one of the most potent natural antioxidants, 1 which is:

  • 6,000 times stronger than vitamin C
  • 800 times stronger than CoQ10
  • 550 times stronger than Vitamin E
  • 550 times stronger than green tea catechins
  • 75 times stronger than alpha lipoic acid
  • 40 times stronger than beta-carotene
  • 17 times more potent than grape seed extracts

Natural astaxanthin is Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) by the FDA. 2 3

Potent Skin Protection from the Inside Out

Recent studies show that astaxanthin can rejuvenate skin from within, 4 5 6 since it has the ability to scavenge skin-damaging free radicals. 4 7 8 Astaxanthin is widely distributed through most organs in the body, and it also accumulates in the skin, where it makes its way into all skin layers. 9 10 This can provide potent protection against ultraviolet radiation. 4 Skin cells that are exposed to ultraviolet light produce bursts of free radicals that trigger aging effects such as skin sagging and wrinkles. 4 11 When astaxanthin is applied to skin cells in culture, it prevents the ultraviolet-induced destructive effects, suggesting that it significantly prevent ultraviolet-induced skin aging. 4 11 12

Boosting Immune Function

Studies demonstrate that astaxanthin helps balance the immune system by stimulating cellular immunity — while also helping suppress the overactive immune responses. 13 Astaxanthin increases the numbers and activity of white blood cells called lymphocytes and natural killer cells that are responsible for creating the body’s innate immune response to invaders. 14 15 16

Slowing Brain Aging

Unlike many other antioxidant molecules, astaxanthin can cross the blood-brain barrier, allowing it to saturate and protect brain tissue. 17 These features have led experts to label astaxanthin a“natural brain food”. 17 A human study has showed that astaxanthin may improve cognitive health scores and learning scores in healthy middle-aged and elderly subjects with age-related forgetfulness. 18 19

Prevent Massive Body Weight Gain

Astaxanthin supplementation also prevents massive body weight gain in animals fed high-fat or high-fructose diets. 20 21 In overweight and obese humans, astaxanthin suppresses lipid peroxidation and stimulates healthy natural antioxidant defenses in the body. 22 Lab studies reveal that astaxanthin improves metabolism by activating the post-receptor insulin signaling and by reducing oxidative stress, lipid accumulation and proinflammatory cytokines in obese animals. 23-26 In addition, astaxanthin preserved the ability of the pancreas to secrete insulin. 23

Protecting Cardiovascular Health

Astaxanthin can modulate the oxidative condition and may improve vascular histology and endothelial function in rats. 27-29 In humans and animals, astaxanthin helps to normalize lipid profiles while boosting beneficial HDL-cholesterol. 30 31 Astaxanthin also improves the stability of blood vessel structure by decreasing macrophage infiltration and apoptosis. 32 In the heart muscle itself, astaxanthin boosts mitochondrial energy delivery, which helps the heart muscle contract more powerfully and efficiently. 33

Important Promoter of Eye Health

In laboratory studies, astaxanthin supplementation protects retinal cells against oxidative stress and significantly reduces the area of destructive new blood vessel growth on retinas. 34 35

Krill Oil vs. Natural Astaxanthin

Many natural sources such as krill and Haematococcus pluvialiscontain astaxanthin, but its concentration in Haematococcus pluvialis is much higher than other sources. The following sources can be found in nature (with the approximate astaxanthin concentrations: 36 37

Source Astaxanthin Concentration (ppm)
Salmonids ~ 5
Plankton ~ 60
Krill ~ 120
Phaffia yeast ~ 10,000
Haematococcus pluvialis ~ 40,000

Why Choosing Natural Astaxanthin from Algae

Synthetic astaxanthin and natural astaxanthin from Haematococcus pluvialis microalgae are completely different, not only in antioxidant potential, but the molecules are also different in three stereoisomers. One comparison study showed that astaxanthin from Haematococcus pluvialis microalgae is approximatedly 20 to 50 times more active in singlet oxygen quenching and free radical elimination than synthetic astaxanthin. 38 Furthermore, all the human clinical research showing a wide variety of health benefits has been performed exclusively on natural astaxanthin from algae.

CLS Astaxanthin is a complete natural astaxanthin extracted from Haematococcus pluvialis, so it is also suitable for vegetarians.

For more information:

References:

1. Nishida Y. et. al, Quenching Activities of Common Hydrophilic and Lipophilic Antioxidants against Singlet Oxygen Using Chemiluminescence Detection System. Carotenoid Science 11:16-20 (2007)
2. Astaxanthin wins full GRAS status. Nutraingredients-usa.com. Retrieved on 2013-04-25.
3. Algatechnologies gets GRAS for AstaPure astaxanthin. Foodnavigator-usa.com. Retrieved on 2013-04-25.
4. Lyons NM, O’Brien NM. Modulatory effects of an algal extract containing astaxanthin on UVA-irradiated cells in culture. J Dermatol Sci. 2002 Oct;30(1):73-84.
5. Terazawa S, Nakajima H, Shingo M, Niwano T, Imokawa G. Astaxanthin attenuates the UVB-induced secretion of prostaglandin E2 and interleukin-8 in human keratinocytes by interrupting MSK1 phosphorylation in a ROS depletion- independent manner. Exp Dermatol. 2012 Jul;21 Suppl 1:11-7.
6. Anunciato TP, da Rocha Filho PA. Carotenoids and polyphenols in nutricosmetics, nutraceuticals, and cosmeceuticals. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2012 Mar;11(1):51-4.
7. Kidd P. Astaxanthin, cell membrane nutrient with diverse clinical benefits and anti-aging potential. Altern Med Rev. 2011 Dec;16(4):355-64
8. Martinez A, Rodriguez-Girones MA, Barbosa A, Costas M. Donator acceptor map for carotenoids, melatonin and vitamins. J Phys Chem A. 2008 Sep 25;112(38):9037-42.
9. Petri D, Lundebye AK. Tissue distribution of astaxanthin in rats following exposure to graded levels in the feed. Comp Biochem Physiol C Toxicol Pharmacol. 2007 Mar;145(2):202-9.
10. Tominaga K, Hongo N, Karato M, Yamashita E. Cosmetic benefits of astaxanthin on humans subjects. Acta Biochim Pol. 2012;59(1):43-7.
11. Suganuma K, Nakajima H, Ohtsuki M, Imokawa G. Astaxanthin attenuates the UVA-induced up-regulation of matrix- metalloproteinase-1 and skin fibroblast elastase in human dermal fibroblasts. J Dermatol Sci. 2010 May;58(2):136-42.
12. Camera E, Mastrofrancesco A, Fabbri C, et al. Astaxanthin, canthaxanthin and beta-carotene differently affect UVA- induced oxidative damage and expression of oxidative stress-responsive enzymes. Exp Dermatol. 2009 Mar;18(3):222-31.
13. Chew BP, Park JS. Carotenoid action on the immune response. J Nutr. 2004 Jan;134(1):257S-61S.
14. Nakao R, Nelson OL, Park JS, Mathison BD, Thompson PA, Chew BP. Effect of dietary astaxanthin at different stages of mammary tumor initiation in BALB/c mice. Anticancer Res. 2010 Jun;30(6):2171-5.
15. Chew BP, Mathison BD, Hayek MG, Massimino S, Reinhart GA, Park JS. Dietary astaxanthin enhances immune response in dogs. Vet Immunol Immunopathol. 2011 Apr 15;140(3-4):199-206.
16. Park JS, Mathison BD, Hayek MG, Massimino S, Reinhart GA, Chew BP. Astaxanthin stimulates cell-mediated and humoral immune responses in cats. Vet Immunol Immunopathol. 2011 Dec 15;144(3-4):455-61.
17. Liu X, Osawa T. Astaxanthin protects neuronal cells against oxidative damage and is a potent candidate for brain food. Forum Nutr. 2009;61:129-35.
18. Satoh A, Tsuji S, Okada Y, et al. Preliminary clinical evaluation of toxicity and efficacy of a new astaxanthin-rich Haematococcus pluvialis extract. J Clin Biochem Nutr. 2009 May;44(3):280-4.
19. Katagiri M, Satoh A, Tsuji S, Shirasawa T. Effects of astaxanthin-rich Haematococcus pluvialis extract on cognitive function: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. J Clin Biochem Nutr. 2012 Sep;51(2):102-7.
20. Arunkumar E, Bhuvaneswari S, Anuradha CV. An intervention study in obese mice with astaxanthin, a marine carotenoid-- effects on insulin signaling and pro-inflammatory cytokines. Food Funct. 2012 Feb;3(2):120-6.
21. Ikeuchi M, Koyama T, Takahashi J, Yazawa K. Effects of astaxanthin in obese mice fed a high-fat diet. Biosci Biotechnol Biochem. 2007 Apr;71(4):893-9.
22. Choi HD, Kim JH, Chang MJ, Kyu-Youn Y, Shin WG. Effects of astaxanthin on oxidative stress in overweight and obese adults. Phytother Res. 2011 Dec;25(12):1813-8.
23. Uchiyama K, Naito Y, Hasegawa G, Nakamura N, Takahashi J, Yoshikawa T. Astaxanthin protects beta-cells against glucose toxicity in diabetic db/db mice. Redox Rep. 2002;7(5):290-3.
24. Naito Y, Uchiyama K, Aoi W, et al. Prevention of diabetic nephropathy by treatment with astaxanthin in diabetic db/db mice. Biofactors. 2004;20(1):49-59.
25.McCarty MF. Full-spectrum antioxidant therapy featuring astaxanthin coupled with lipoprivic strategies and salsalate for management of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Med Hypotheses. 2011 Oct;77(4):550-6.
26. Arunkumar E, Bhuvaneswari S, Anuradha CV. An intervention study in obese mice with astaxanthin, a marine carotenoid-- effects on insulin signaling and pro-inflammatory cytokines. Food Funct. 2012 Feb;3(2):120-6.
27. Hussein G, Nakamura M, Zhao Q, et al. Antihypertensive and neuroprotective effects of astaxanthin in experimental animals. Biol Pharm Bull. 2005 Jan;28(1):47-52.
28. Sasaki Y, Kobara N, Higashino S, Giddings JC, Yamamoto J. Astaxanthin inhibits thrombosis in cerebral vessels of stroke- prone spontaneously hypertensive rats. Nutr Res. 2011 Oct;31(10):784-9.
29. Hussein G, Goto H, Oda S, Sankawa U, Matsumoto K, Watanabe H. Antihypertensive potential and mechanism of action of astaxanthin: III. Antioxidant and histopathological effects in spontaneously hypertensive rats. Biol Pharm Bull. 2006 Apr;29(4):684-8.
30. Yoshida H, Yanai H, Ito K, et al. Administration of natural astaxanthin increases serum HDL-cholesterol and adiponectin in subjects with mild hyperlipidemia. Atherosclerosis. 2010 Apr;209(2):520-3.
31. Yang Y, Seo JM, Nguyen A, et al. Astaxanthin-rich extract from the green alga Haematococcus pluvialis lowers plasma lipid concentrations and enhances antioxidant defense in apolipoprotein E knockout mice. J Nutr. 2011 Sep;141(9):1611-7.
32. Li W, Hellsten A, Jacobsson LS, Blomqvist HM, Olsson AG, Yuan XM. Alpha-tocopherol and astaxanthin decrease macrophage infiltration, apoptosis and vulnerability in atheroma of hyperlipidaemic rabbits. J Mol Cell Cardiol. 2004 Nov;37(5):969-78.
33. Nakao R, Nelson OL, Park JS, Mathison BD, Thompson PA, Chew BP. Effect of astaxanthin supplementation on inflammation and cardiac function in BALB/c mice. Anticancer Res. 2010 Jul;30(7):2721-5.
34. Izumi-Nagai K, Nagai N, Ohgami K, et al. Inhibition of choroidal neovascularization with an anti-inflammatory carotenoid astaxanthin. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2008 Apr;49(4):1679-85.
35. Nakajima Y, Inokuchi Y, Shimazawa M, Otsubo K, Ishibashi T, Hara H. Astaxanthin, a dietary carotenoid, protects retinal cells against oxidative stress in-vitro and in mice in-vivo. J Pharm Pharmacol. 2008 Oct;60(10):1365-74.
36. Production of ketocarotenoids by microalgae. Margalith PZ, Appl Microbiol Biotechnol., Apr 1999, volume 51, issue 4, pages 431-438, PubMed
37. Astaxanthin – a superb natural antioxidant. algatech.com
38. Bob C, Debasis B, Gerald R. Synthetic astaxanthin is significantly inferior to algal-based astaxanthin as an antioxidant and may not be suitable as a human nutraceutical supplement. Nutrafoods. 2013 Dec; 12(4): 145-52.

Disclaimer:

This product is not registered under the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance or the Chinese Medicine Ordinance. Any claim made for it has not been subject to evaluation for such registration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat or prevent and disease.