#164

We cover the “natural vs. synthetic astaxanthin” issue in this post here: Astaxanthin, Natural vs. Synthetic - Your Thoughts?

What I find interesting is that its the synthetic astaxanthin that is being used in the National Institutes on Aging ITP study that in preliminary results is showing a 12% median lifespan increase in the male mice.

I don’t find Mercola info very trustworthy… in the Wikipedia entry (and many other places I’ve read about him) he seems to not follow the science very closely, or contradicts the best science… in Wikipedia they note:

The site promotes disproven health ideas, including the notions that homeopathy can treat autism and that vaccinations have hidden detriments to human health.[2] An article in BusinessWeek criticized his website as using aggressive direct-marketing tactics:

Mercola gives the lie to the notion that holistic practitioners tend to be so absorbed in treating patients that they aren’t effective businesspeople. While Mercola on his site seeks to identify with this image by distinguishing himself from “all the greed-motivated hype out there in health-care land”, he is a master promoter, using every trick of traditional and Internet direct marketing to grow his business … He is selling health-care products and services, and is calling upon an unfortunate tradition made famous by the old-time snake oil salesmen of the 1800s.[6]

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#165

Here is my question to people: Given what you know about natural and synthetic astaxanthin as shown in this post: Astaxanthin, Natural vs. Synthetic - Your Thoughts?

Which Version of Astaxanthin Would You Buy?

  • Natural Astaxanthin, at the typical Amazon.com Price of $4.15 per 100mg
  • Synthetic Astaxanthin at a price of approx. $1.00 per 100mg

0 voters

#166

It looks like this is the article where Mercola got his information:

The article says it makes a bio identical molecule to the natural one and they think they can compete with the synthetic for price. Made with GE yeast.

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#167

Astaxanthin Improves Endurance in Older Adults

This antioxidant does so by decreasing lactic acid.

the 6-minute walking test demonstrated that the participants from the astaxanthin group increased their walking distance. At the same time, astaxanthin supplementation did not improve muscle strength as shown by hand grip and knee extension tests.

In addition, the researchers measured the change in the participants’ lactic acid levels after the 6-minute walking test pre- and post-supplementation. Astaxanthin supplementation was shown to decrease lactic acid production in these participants.

ijerph-19-13492-g003-550

Research Paper:

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#168

Astaxanthin has shown a variety of clinical benefits with good tolerability and safety. In double-blind, randomized controlled trials, it reduced oxidative stress by 5 mg or 20 mg/day in obese and overweight subjects and 5 mg, 20 mg or 40 mg/day in smokers [11, 12]. The results showed that oxidative DNA damage was inhibited, C-reactive protein and other inflammatory biomarkers were decreased, and tuberculin skin test immunity was enhanced [13, 14]. In another trial, daily astaxanthin doses of 6, 12, or 18 mg decreased triglycerides and increased HDL cholesterol and improved blood flow in microcirculation models

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#169

It does seem to have a very small advantage over placebo.

Screenshot 2022-11-10 at 10-36-48 Impacts of Astaxanthin Supplementation on Walking Capacity by Reducing Oxidative Stress in Nursing Home Residents
Screenshot 2022-11-10 at 10-36-48 Impacts of Astaxanthin Supplementation on Walking Capacity by Reducing Oxidative Stress in Nursing Home Residents1920×900 54.5 KB

Placebo lost a little weight, astaxanthin lost more.
Placebo lost muscle mass % and gained body fat %, astaxanthin gained muscle mass% and gained body fat %. Not sure how they could do that without gaining weight. What do we have besides muscle and fat? Bone?

Anyway it is a very expensive supp. and simple and cheap things like glynac should be studied more closely. Everybody is still looking at the one study where they took 9 grams of NAC/day.

#170

I agree. They need to do more GlyNAC studies.

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#171

Very interesting, thanks for sharing.

#172

Paper

  1. Sekikawa T et al. “Effects of diet containing astaxanthin on visual function in healthy individuals: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel study.” Journal of Clinical Biochemistry and Nutrition. Published online October 18, 2022.

and

#173

I wonder if it would be a good counter to Metformin. Increasing lactic acid seems to be one of the downsides.

#174

I started astaxanthin back up at 24mg/day. I notice very little from it, but I’ve taken it in the past without any issue.

The most noticeable difference is I tan better and sunburn less. Otherwise pretty much nada.

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#175
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#176

I’m curious if anyone noticed a drop in LDL or ApoB on Asta?

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#177

I haven’t measured or tracked this, but I’m going to try another round of high Astaxanthin testing starting in a week or so. I’m thinking of testing 200mg to 400mg / day Astaxanthin levels. Previously have done as high as 240mg/day testing with no issues.

Will do pre-test bloodwork and post-test bloodwork. Will report when I get the final results.

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#178

That is a fair amount astaxanthine capsules or do you have access to astaxanthine in powder form?

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#179

That’s really a huge amount, can we know which brand did you use and why did you chose it? we are exited to see your result later.

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#180

A new Astaxanthin study:

Astaxanthin Supplemented with High-Intensity Functional Training Decreases Adipokines Levels and Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Men with Obesity

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of 12 weeks of high-intensity training with astaxanthin supplementation on adipokine levels, insulin resistance and lipid profiles in males with obesity. Sixty-eight males with obesity were randomly stratified into four groups of seventeen subjects each: control group (CG), supplement group (SG), training group (TG), and training plus supplement group (TSG). Participants underwent 12 weeks of treatment with astaxanthin or placebo (20 mg/d capsule daily). The training protocol consisted of 36 sessions of high-intensity functional training (HIFT), 60 min/sessions, and three sessions/week. Metabolic profiles, body composition, anthropometrical measurements, cardio-respiratory indices and adipokine [Cq1/TNF-related protein 9 and 2 (CTRP9 and CTRP2) levels, and growth differentiation factors 8 and 15 (GDF8 and GDF15)] were measured. There were significant differences for all indicators between the groups (p < 0.05). Post-hoc analysis indicated that the levels of CTRP9, CTRP2, and GDF8 were different from CG (p < 0.05), although levels of GDF15 were similar to CG (p > 0.05). Levels of GDF8 were similar in the SG and TG groups (p > 0.05), with reductions of GDF15 levels in both training groups (p < 0.05). A total of 12 weeks of astaxanthin supplementation and exercise training decreased adipokines levels, body composition (weight, %fat), anthropometrical factors (BMI), and improved lipid and metabolic profiles. These benefits were greater for men with obesity in the TSG group.

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#181

I’ve been using BioAstin product as mentioned earlier. I may change if I find something that seems good at a lower price.

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#182

Huang C, Wen C, Yang M, Li A, Fan C, Gan D, Li Q, Zhao J, Zhu L, Lu D. Astaxanthin Improved the Cognitive Deficits in APP/PS1 Transgenic Mice Via Selective Activation of mTOR. J Neuroimmune Pharmacol. 2021 Sep;16(3):609-619. doi: 10.1007/s11481-020-09953-4. Epub 2020 Sep 18. PMID: 32944864.

In this abstract, it reported that the activation of mTOR enhanced by Astaxanthin was reversed when rapamycin was injected into the mice.

Wondering how this would work for those of us taking Rapamycin?

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#183

Good find! Sounds like something we want to read up on. Full paper below:

Astaxanthin (Ast) is an effective neuroprotective and antioxidant compound used to treat Alzheimer’s disease (AD); however, the underlying in vivo molecular mechanisms remain unknown. In this study, we report that Ast can activate the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway in the 8-month-old APP/PS1 transgenic mouse model of AD. Our results suggest that Ast could ameliorate the cognitive defects in APP/PS1 mice by activating the mTOR pathway. Moreover, mTOR activation perturbed the mitochondrial dynamics, increased the synaptic plasticity after 21 days of treatment with Ast (10 mg/kg/day), and increased the expression of Aβ-degrading enzymes, mitochondrial fusion, and synapse-associated proteins and decreased the expression of mitochondrial fission proteins. Intraperitoneal injection of the mTOR inhibitor, rapamycin, abolished the effects of Ast. In conclusion, Ast activates the mTOR pathway, which is necessary for mitochondrial dynamics and synaptic plasticity, leading to improved learning and memory. Our results support the use of Ast for the treatment of cognitive deficits. Graphical abstract In summary, Ast ameliorates cognitive deficits via facilitating the mTOR-dependent mitochondrial dynamics and synaptic damage, and reducing Aβ accumulation. This model supports the use of Ast for the treatment of cognitive deficits.

s11481-020-09953-4.pdf (4.3 MB)

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