Inflammation is your body's response to a foreign invader or microbe. It causes your body to release pro-inflammatory cells that attack and destroy the foreign substance. Although inflammation from time to time is a normal response to stmuli, constant inflammation can damage DNA and healthy cells, leading to an increased risk of disease and illness. One possible way to reduce inflammation in your body is by consuming astaxanthin, a pigment with antioxidant properties. You should always consult your physician before medicating yourself in a new way.
Astaxanthin
Astaxanthin is a natural carotenoid pigment derived from Haematococcus pluvialis microalgae. It is responsible for the red color of lobster and the pink color of salmon. Astaxanthin is a potent antioxidant that has a beneficial effect on eye health, muscle endurance, joint health and the immune system, according to the Nutra Ingredients website. Rich sources of astaxanthin include trout, salmon, shrimp, lobster and crustaceans.
Helicobacter Pylori
Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a bacterium that induces inflammation in your body and increases your risk of developing gastric ulcers and stomach cancer. Scientists in the department of clinical microbiology of Rigshospitalet Copenhagen University Hospital in Denmark investigated the impact of astaxanthin on inflammation in mice infected with H. plyori. They discovered that mice consuming a cell extract containing astaxanthin experienced decreases in gastric inflammation. The findings were reported in the December 1999 issue of "Immunology Letters."
Exercise
Intense exercise can damage your muscles, which leads to the release of pro-inflammatory cells. Researchers at Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine in Japan examined the effects of astaxanthin on exercise-induced muscle damage. They observed that mice fed astaxanthin while running on a treadmill to exhaustion had lower levels of creatine kinase activity, an indicator of inflammation, compared with those not ingesting astaxanthin, according to research published in the February 2003 issue of "Antioxidant & Redox Signaling."
C-Reactive Protein
The capacity by astaxanthin to reduce inflammation can also be seen in humans. In research reported in the March 2010 issue of "Nutrition & Metabolism," researchers from Washington State University assigned healthy females 2 or 8 mg of astaxanthin; or 0 mg as the placebo, for eight weeks. At the end of the study, researchers found that those receiving 2 mg of astaxanthin experienced decreases in C-reactive protein, a marker of inflammation associated with heart disease, compared with those consuming a placebo. The study also revealed that 8 mg of astaxanthin didn't have any effect on C-reactive protein. In addition, the higher dose of astaxanthin increased interleukin-6, a protein that increases inflammation in the body, on week eight. Therefore, researchers recommended consuming 2 mg of astaxanthin rather than 8 mg to reduce C-reactive protein and inflammation in the body. Always consult your physician if considering taking any supplement.
References
- Nutra Ingredients; Astaxanthin - Improving Life, Naturally
- "Immunology Letters"; Treatment of H. Pylori Infected Mice with Antioxidant Astaxanthin Reduces Gastric Inflammation, Bacterial Load and Modulates Cytokine Release by Splenocytes; M. Bennedsen et al.; December 1999
- "Antioxidant & Redox Signaling"; Astaxanthin Limits Exercise-Induced Skeletal and Cardiac Muscle Damage in Mice; W. Aoi et al.; February 2003
- "Nutrition and Metabolism"; Astaxanthin Decreased Oxidative Stress and Inflammation and Enhanced Immune Response in Humans; J.S. Park et al.; March 2010
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