Astaxanthin, a carotenoid, is found in salmon, shrimp, crustaceans, crayfish, microalgae, yeast, krill and trout. Astaxanthin can also be brought as a supplement. Asaxanthin may be beneficial for diabetic patients. Diabetes occurs when your blood sugar, also known as blood glucose, is too high. Ask your doctor before taking astaxanthin.
Diabetes
When you eat, your body breaks down the sugars and starches into glucose. The hormone insulin is essential for letting glucose into your cells to give them energy. Without adequate levels of insulin, glucose stays in the blood. In Type 1 diabetes, the body doesn't make enough insulin. In Type 2 diabetes, the body either doesn't produce enough insulin, or the cells in the body ignore the insulin being produced. Too much glucose in the blood can damage the eyes, nerves and kidneys. Diabetes can also lead to strokes and heart disease. Symptoms of diabetes can include frequent urination, increased thirst, slow-healing sores, blurred vision, fatigue, extreme hunger and frequent infections, such as gum or skin infections and vaginal or bladder infections.
Astaxanthin
Astaxanthin has antioxidant properties. Antioxidants help to protect the body from free radicals that can damage cells. Free radicals are produced by natural body processes such as digestion, but can also be produced by external factors such as cigarette smoke and pollution.
Diabetic Nephropathy
In a study published in a 2004 issue of "Biofactors," researchers studied the effect of astaxanthin on diabetic nephropathy, a progressive kidney disease caused by diabetes. The authors comment that free radical damage is associated with diabetic nephropathy. The study was conducted on nondiabetic mice, diabetic mice and diabetic mice treated with astaxanthin over 12 weeks. The authors found that the antioxidant activity of astaxanthin reduced the free radical damage on the kidneys and prevented renal cell damage. In conclusion, the team commented that astaxanthin may be helpful in preventing diabetes nephropathy.
Reducing Glucose Toxicity
In a 2002 issue of "Redox Report," researchers studied the effect of astaxanthin on glucose toxicity. High levels of glucose can produce free radicals, which can damage pancreatic beta cells, the cells that produce insulin and cause other tissue damage in patients with diabetes. The team found that astaxanthin's antioxidant properties helped to protect beta cell function and reduced glucose toxicity; researchers concluded that astaxanthin can be helpful for diabetes patients.
References
- "Biofactors"; Prevention of Diabetic Nephropathy by Treatment with Astaxanthin in Diabetic DB/DB Mice; Y. Naito, K. Uchiyama, W. Aoi, G. Hasegawa, et al.; 2004
- "Redox Report"; Astaxanthin Protects Beta-Cells Against Glucose Toxicity in Diabetic DB/DB Mice; K. Uchiyama, Y. Naito, G. Hasegawa, N. Nakamura; 2002
