RSS
Home
Astaxanthin may improve energy and endurance, promote weight loss
Print
Email
RSS
Subscribe
Pink shrimp, a source of astaxanthin/NOAA
Feeling tired after a workout? Wish you had more endurance? Perhaps you would like to lose some weight in the process? Research shows that an antioxidant supplement called astaxanthin can improve energy and endurance levels in physically active people and even influence fat accumulation.
What is astaxanthin?
Astaxanthin is a red pigment that occurs naturally in various marine animals, including shrimp, crabs, and lobster. This potent carotenoid, which is derived from the microalga Haematococcus pluvialis and is available in supplement form, has been shown to improve endurance and reduce recovery time after exercise and is being sought after by professional and amateur athletes alike.
How astaxanthin works
When you engage in physical activity, your body produces reactive oxygen species (ROS), substances that can cause inflammation and damage muscle tissue. These reactions in turn can have a negative impact on your performance and your ability to recover from exercise. In fact, ROS continue to damage muscles even after you’ve finished your workout. The result is muscle soreness and a feeling of tiredness.
Current research shows, however, that astaxanthin supplements are powerful antidotes to the cell damage that strenuous exercise can cause. Investigators have found that astaxanthin may increase endurance, reduce muscle damage, and improve lipid metabolism, which translates into weight loss.
Astaxanthin helps with endurance and strength/Wikipedia
Astaxanthin research
A Swedish double-blind, placebo-controlled study of healthy men explored exercise performance after taking astaxanthin. The men took either 4 mg astaxanthin or placebo daily for up to six months. After three months, the men who took astaxanthin were able to to perform more knee bends than those in the placebo group. At six months the improvement was significant.
In another study, researchers found that a daily dose of 6 mg astaxanthin given to meter track athletes for four weeks caused them to accumulate lower levels of lactic acid, a substance that causes muscle fatigue and weakness.
The results of two animal studies were also promising. In one, scientists found that astaxanthin improved swimming endurance in mice while also significantly reducing the accumulation of fat. In another, conducted in 2008, it was revealed that astaxanthin promoted lipid metabolism rather than the use of glucose during physical activity. This led to an improvement in endurance and loss of fat (weight loss).
Why astaxanthin works
Scientists believe that astaxanthin protects the skeletal muscles from damaged inflicted by ROS produced by physical exercise. Astaxanthin also increases the metabolism of lipids (fats), which is important in energy production and weight loss, and plays a part in reducing inflammation by inhibiting factors (e.g., pro-inflammatory cytokines and mediators) that cause it. The supplement has also been found to cause a significant increase in peripheral blood flow.
Where to find astaxanthin
Astaxanthin supplements can be purchased online and from health food stores, pharmacies, and natural food stores. In the Phoenix area, you can try the following locations:
Arnie’s Health Foods (Phoenix)
Hi-Health (various locations)
You may also be interested in the following articles:
“Astaxanthin reduces eye fatigue and improves visual acuity”
Related Articles:
Add a Comment
