07/07/2021

Astaxanthin: the super carotenoid for your skin!

Here is a major nutrient that helps fight certain forms of ageing, particularly those produced by the sun's rays: astaxanthin. This powerful antioxidant from the carotenoid family protects the skin from UV radiation by neutralising free radicals. In this way, it also protects cells, organs and tissues from oxidative stress. Thanks to its unique molecular structure, astaxanthin is indeed the best known scavenger of free radicals generated by UV radiation. But where does this molecule come from? How is it able to prepare our skin for the sun? And how can we consume it? Focus on a pigment that is good for the skin, but not only...   

 

Astaxanthin: a super-powerful antioxidant pigment

Astaxanthin is a natural pigment that belongs to the large family of carotenoids. This pigment is derived from several genera of plankton and unicellular algae, but its most concentrated source is the freshwater alga Haematococcus pluvialis. Salmon, krill, crustaceans, lobster and flamingos feed on this micro-algae, which explains their pink colour. Astaxanthin has greater antioxidant benefits than beta-carotene and also contains other important carotenoids such as lutein, canthaxanthin and beta-carotene. 

 

Its role in its natural state

In nature, the role of astaxanthin is to protect micro-algae when they are subjected to external stress, such as the degradation of their natural habitat, nitrogen deficiency or too much sunlight. This nutrient also plays a major role in strengthening the organism of the species that consume it most. Wild salmon, for example, accumulate astaxanthin in their muscles and can contain up to 40 mg per kilo. This partly explains its great resistance to effort, as it can swim hundreds of kilometres against the current.

 

What makes astaxanthin unique!

This red pigment is one of the natural elements with the most potential in the nutraceutical field due to its particular chemical structure.

• Brain & eye protection: Astaxanthin is the only antioxidant that can cross the blood-brain barrier as well as the blood-retina barrier. The brain and eyes thus benefit from its advantages, as do all the cells in the body.

• Integral cell protection: While other antioxidants work only within the cell membrane, astaxanthin is able to position itself inside and outside the cell wall to encompass the entire cell.

• A pure antioxidant: this antioxidant has the particularity of not becoming pro-oxidant. Unlike many antioxidants, astaxanthin does not convert in the human body into vitamin A (retinol), an excess of which is dangerous for humans.

• Ally of the skin: this molecule has the particularity of protecting the skin from the harmful effects of the sun and of promoting the hydration and elasticity of the skin.

• Powerful antioxidant activity: Astaxanthin has a particularly high antioxidant activity. It is said to :

• 65 times higher than vitamin C

• 54 times higher than beta-carotene

• 15 times higher than vitamin E

• 20 times higher than synthetic astaxanthin

 

Astaxanthin: the ally to protect your skin from the sun!

Ultraviolet radiation produces oxidative stress in cells. It causes the production of free radicals that can damage structures such as lipids, proteins and DNA. The antioxidant effects of astaxanthin protect the skin from the harmful effects of the sun and promote hydration and elasticity. But beware, it does not replace UV protection, a sun cream remains essential. As summer approaches, it is recommended to prepare and protect your skin with astaxanthin. This pigment will allow you to better withstand exposure to the sun, thanks to its unique composition and the presence of other carotenoids...

 

Carotenoids, the secret of golden, glowing skin

The class of antioxidants that should be given priority as the weather approaches is that of carotenoids, which strengthen skin pigmentation, improve sun tolerance and provide protection for the various tissues in direct contact with light (skin, eyes). Carotenoids also have the property of stimulating the production of melanin - the pigment that colours the skin - and counteract the immunosuppressive action of ultraviolet rays, i.e. the lowering of immune defences linked to UV. These powerful antioxidants are therefore capable of protecting our cells against the attacks of certain free radicals, the oxidative stress that rusts us from within. Among the carotenoids, we find beta-carotene, lycopene, lutein, zeaxanthin and of course astaxanthin.

 

Astaxanthin as a shield against skin ageing

Natural antioxidants are highly prized molecules in dermatology as they help fight free radicals, the accumulation of which is the cause of numerous skin damages. Astaxanthin is known to protect the skin from the effects of UV rays, promote tanning and give a tanned complexion. In addition to sun protection, astaxanthin helps to prepare the skin for prolonged exposure to the sun. Because of its ability to protect against light damage and photo-aging, astaxanthin helps protect the skin from ageing and prevents sunburn. It helps prevent sunburn and dehydration and improves skin elasticity. It is a real cellular shield that helps to preserve the skin's youthfulness and make it more resistant to the sun.

 

A shock action against ultraviolet rays

To understand the action of astaxanthin against skin photoageing, it is necessary to look at the behaviour of cells when the skin is exposed to UV light. The irradiation caused by the sun leads to a series of enzymes whose activity causes a degradation of the collagen and elastic fibres of the skin. Involved in the appearance of the first signs of skin ageing, this enzymatic activity is induced and reinforced by free radicals and inflammatory cytokines. Astaxanthin has a powerful antioxidant power to fight against free radicals, but also an anti-inflammatory activity to oppose inflammatory cytokines. Compared to beta-carotene, astaxanthin is able to neutralise free radicals produced in our cells by ultraviolet radiation twice as effectively.

 

A course of astaxanthin will therefore allow you to approach the sun in complete serenity, thanks to its beneficial effects on the skin:

• Prepares the skin for sun exposure

• Protects the skin against external aggressions (UV rays, pollution)

• Prevents wrinkles and age spots

• Prevents lucite, a sun allergy that particularly affects women

• Moisturises the skin

• Slows down the premature ageing of the epidermis

• Improves tone, firmness and radiance of the complexion

• Preserves the skin's youthfulness

• Promotes tanning

 

How to consume astaxanthin?

Astaxanthin cannot be synthesised by the body, so it must be supplied by diet and/or supplementation. This carotenoid is naturally supplied in the diet by seafood such as krill, shrimp, lobster, salmon and other red-fleshed fish. But you would have to eat too much of it to benefit from its effects. Supplementation is an ideal way to prepare and protect your skin before summer. Make sure you get natural astaxanthin (there is also synthetic astaxanthin), and check that your astaxanthin has gone through a supercritical CO2 extraction process, like natural astaxanthin Green Ethnies. This process allows you to work at low temperature in order to preserve the best of the active ingredients which are then very close to their original plant version.

 

 

 

Other benefits of astaxanthin

The combination of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of astaxanthin allows it to act beyond the beneficial aspects related to skin health:

• Action on physical performance: astaxanthin increases physical strength and resistance to exhaustion, and promotes muscle recovery after exercise.

• Brain health: astaxanthin improves cognitive function and prevents certain neurodegenerative diseases associated with oxidative stress.

• Protection of the cardiovascular system: astaxanthin plays a role in the oxidation of lipids, thus preventing arteriosclerosis.

• Immune system support: Astaxanthin prevents cell oxidation.

• Anti-inflammatory action: astaxanthin blocks the enzymes that promote inflammation, thus reducing joint pain (arthritis, tendonitis, etc.).

• Digestive health: Astaxanthin helps in the treatment of Helicobacter pylori infections, gastric inflammation and ulcers.

• Antidiabetic: Astaxanthin produces a better response to hyperglycaemia by improving glucose and insulin.

• Protects the eyes: Astaxanthin prevents eye fatigue, dryness, sun sensitivity, age-related macular degeneration and improves perception.

• Improved fertility in men: astaxanthin appears to increase the strength and health of sperm cells.

 

 

Sources

Biological properties of astaxanthin produced by Haematococcus Pluvialis under stress conditions. Sadoud Meryem. PhD thesis, 2020.

Astaxanthin in Exercise Metabolism, Performance and Recovery: A Review. Daniel R. Brown, Lewis A. Gough et al. Front Nutr. 2017; 4: 76.

Protective effects of astaxanthin on skin deterioration. K. Tominaga et al, J Clin Biochem Nutr, July 2017, 61(1): 33-39.

Astaxanthin attenuates the UVA-induced up-regulation of matrix-metalloproteinase-1 and skin fibroblast elastase in human dermal fibroblasto. Suganuma K., Nakajima H., Ohtsuki M., Imokawa. Journal of dermatological science. 2010.

Marine Carotenoids against Oxidative Stress: Effects on Human Health. Maria Alessandra Gammone, Graziano Riccioni and Nicolantonio D'Orazio. Mar Drugs. 2015 Oct; 13(10): 6226-6246.

Dietars Suppelmentation with Astaxanthin-Rich Algal Meal Improves Strength Endurance - A Double Blind Placebo Controlled Study on Male Student. Curt L. Malmstena and Ake Lignelle. Carotenoid Science, Vol. 13, 2008 ISSN 1880-5671.

Astaxanthin, canthaxanthin and β-carotene differently affect UVA-induced oxidative damage and expression of oxidative stress-responsive enzymes. Emanuela Camera et al. Experimental Dermatology. October 2008, 18(3):222-31.

 

Nutraceuticals and food supplements in the treatment of male infertility. Frank Comhaire, Ahmed Mahmoud. Andrology, 2005, 15. N°1, 41-47.