Dr. Mercola Touts Astaxanthin

Dr. Joseph Mercola, M.D., best-selling author and osteopathic physician, called astaxanthin the most powerful nutrient ever discovered for eye health" in his most recent newsletter. He said this carotenoid is leaps and bounds more powerful" than beta-carotene, alpha-tocopherol, lycopene and lutein, and exhibits very strong" free radical scavenging activity.

Calling it in a league of its own, he said astaxanthin is different from other nutritional elements because it is far more effective than other carotenoids at singlet oxygen quenching, which reduces the damaging effects of sunlight and various organic; crosses the blood-brain barrier and the blood-retinal barrier (beta carotene and lycopene do not), which increases eye health; is soluble in lipids, so it incorporates into cell membranes; is a potent UVB absorber; and is not associated with any adverse reactions.

Additionally, he said astaxanthin can positively impact health by boosting immune function; improving cardiovascular health by reducing C-Reactive Proteins (CRP), reducing triglycerides and increasing HDL; protecting eyes from cataracts, macular degeneration and blindness; protecting the brain from dementia and Alzheimer's disease; reducing the risk for many types of cancer (including cancers of the breast, colon, bladder and mouth) by stimulating apoptosis (cancer cell death) and inhibiting lipid peroxidation; improving recovery from spinal cord and other central nervous system injuries; reducing inflammation from all causes, including arthritis and asthma ; improving endurance, workout performance and recovery, helping stabilize blood sugar, thereby protecting your kidneys; relieving indigestion and reflux; improving fertility by increasing sperm strength and sperm count; and helping to prevent sunburn.

Mercola specially called out astaxanthins benefits to eye health saying it may be the ultimate carotenoid for eye health and prevention of blindness." He said astaxanthin supplementation could be effective in preventing or treating a whole host of eye diseases, including age-related macular degeneration (AMD), diabetic neuropathy, cystoid macular edema, central retinal arterial, venous occlusion, and glaucoma.

He recommended taking astaxanthin in supplements because it is only found in two prime dietary sourcesmicroalgae and sea creatures that consume the algae (such as salmon, shellfish and krill)which are lacking in most diets.