Eyesight
Zeaxanthin in combination with Lutein is helpful in maintaining healthy eyesight and in many cases improving eyesight and day and night vision within days. The retina is unique in the human body in containing three xanthophyll carotenoids; 3R,3'R-zeaxanthin, meso-zeaxanthin and lutein. Xanthophyll pigments occur widely in vegetables and fruits but meso-zeaxanthin is found in only a few foods such as the shrimp carapace and fish skin. In spite of the amounts of the different xanthophylls in the diet, zeaxanthin and meso-zeaxanthin occur in approximately equal amounts in the eye, and their combined concentration can exceed that of lutein.

Eyesight Rx with zeaxanthin and lutein
Developed by Ray Sahelian, M.D.
Those who take Eyesight Rx notice better daytime and nighttime vision, along with the ability to see distant objects clearer and to read easier.

Purchase Eyesight Rx or see a full list of the ingredients in this vision product

 

Zeaxanthin in foods, dietary sources
Egg yolks are a good source of zeaxanthin. Corn is also a good source of zeaxanthin.

Zeaxanthin in marigold herb
There are several herbs that have lutein and zeaxanthin. A common source of these Carotenoids is the herb marigold.

Benefit for cataract
Dietary carotenoids, vitamins C and E, and risk of cataract in women: a prospective study.
Arch Ophthalmol. 2008 Jan; Christen WG, Liu S, Glynn RJ, Gaziano JM, Buring JE. Divisions of Preventive Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215-1204, USA.
To examine in prospective data the relation between dietary intake of carotenoids and vitamins C and E and the risk of cataract in women. In these prospective observational data from a large cohort of female health professionals, higher dietary intakes of lutein / zeaxanthin and vitamin E from food and supplements were associated with significantly decreased risks of cataract.

Macular degeneration
Age-related macular degeneration, the leading cause of blindness in the elderly, is a degenerative condition of the macula due to by death or dysfunction of the photoreceptors. Lutein and zeaxanthin are macular pigments that may play a role in reducing the development and progression of age-related macular degeneration. Evidence is accumulating on the consumption of lutein and zeaxanthin (in whole food or supplemental form), resulting in higher concentrations in serum, and tissue distribution throughout the body, particularly in the retina. Lutein and zeaxanthin intake increases serum concentrations which in turn increases macular pigment density. There have been conflicting studies regarding the role of these nutriens in macular degeneration.

Prospective study of lutein/zeaxanthin intake and risk of age-related macular degeneration.
Am J Clin Nutr. 2008 June. Cho E, Hankinson SE, Rosner B, Willett WC, Colditz GA. Department of Medicine, Channing Laboratory, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
The association between lutein / zeaxanthin intake and age-related macular degeneration (AMD) risk may differ by smoking status, vitamin C and E intakes, and body fatness. The objective was to evaluate the association between lutein / zeaxanthin intake and AMD risk by smoking status, intake of antioxidant vitamins, and body fatness. We conducted a prospective follow-up study of 71 494 women and 41 564 men aged >or=50 y and had no diagnosis of AMD or cancer. During up to 18 y of follow-up, we documented 673 incident cases of early AMD and 442 incident cases of neovascular AMD with a visual loss of 20/30 or worse due primarily to AMD. Lutein / zeaxanthin intake was not associated with the risk of self-reported early AMD. There was a statistically nonsignificant and nonlinear inverse association between lutein / zeaxanthin intake and neovascular AMD risk. For early AMD, the association with lutein / zeaxanthin intake did not vary by smoking status, intakes of vitamins C and E, or body mass index. For neovascular AMD, a nonlinear inverse association was found among never smokers. These data do not support a protective role of lutein / zeaxanthin intake on risk of self-reported early AMD.

Zeaxanthin eye benefit in diabetes in animal study
Beneficial effect of zeaxanthin on retinal metabolic abnormalities in diabetic rats.
Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2008 April. Kowluru RA, Menon B, Gierhart DL. Department of Ophthalmology, Kresge Eye Institute, Detroit, Michigan.
 Recent studies have shown that two dietary carotenoids, lutein and zeaxanthin, that are specifically concentrated within ocular tissues, may play important roles in maintaining their integrity. This study is to evaluate the potential protective effects of zeaxanthin against retinal oxidative damage and growth factors in diabetes. A group of rats received normal powdered diet or powdered diet supplemented with 0.02% or 0.1% zeaxanthin soon after induction of diabetes. Zeaxanthin supplementation prevented diabetes-induced increase in retinal damage Zeaxanthin significantly inhibits diabetes-induced retinal oxidative damage and elevation in vascular endothelial cell growth factor and adhesion molecule, all abnormalities that are associated with the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy. The results suggest that zeaxanthin supplementation has the potential to inhibit the development of retinopathy in diabetic patients.

Astaxanthin information
Astaxanthin for sale
Eyesight Rx with astaxanthin -- formulated by Ray Sahelian, M.D. for vision enhancement

Astaxanthin is a carotenoid made by plants and algae, and found in marine seafood such as salmon. Astaxanthin is also available as a food supplement either by itself or combined with other carotenoids.

Buy Astaxanthin Antioxidant Carotenoid, Source Naturals, 2 mg, 60 Softgels

Astaxanthin is a naturally occurring carotenoid that is closely related to beta-carotene and Lutein. Because of its unique structure, astaxanthin provides a wide range of antioxidant benefits. Astaxanthin may play a key role in the protection of cell membranes against free radical attacks. Astaxanthin is a natural concentrate of marine algae Haematococcus pulvialis, which is cultivated in the warm waters of Hawaii. Recent studies have indicated that astaxanthin is more powerful than its carotenoid cousin beta-carotene at trapping singlet oxygen free radicals.

Benefits
Astaxanthin is likely to be beneficial in conditions where antioxidants and other carotenoids are helpful. Astaxanthin may inhibit 5-alpha reductase and thus could be useful in prostate health.

Astaxanthin as antioxidant
Astaxanthin, the main carotenoid pigment in aquatic animals, has greater antioxidant activity in vitro (protecting against lipid peroxidation) and a more polar configuration than other carotenoids.. intestinal absorption of astaxanthin delivered as capsules is adequate, and well tolerated. Supplementation with astaxanthin may decrease in vivo oxidation of fatty acids.

Astaxanthin summary
There's little human research available regarding the exact health benefits of astaxanthin supplements. The ideal dosage of astaxanthin supplements is not known. However some of the astaxanthin research listed below is promising.

Astaxanthin for brain health
Astaxanthin reduces ischemic brain injury in adult rats.
FASEB J. 2009 Feb 13. Shen H, Kuo CC, Chou J, Delvolve A, Jackson SN, Post J, Woods AS, Hoffer BJ, Wang Y, Harvey BK. Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
Astaxanthin is a dietary carotenoid of crustaceans and fish that contributes to their coloration. Dietary astaxanthin is important for development and survival of salmonids and crustaceans and has been shown to reduce cardiac ischemic injury in rodents. The purpose of this study was to examine whether astaxanthin can protect against ischemic injury in the mammalian brain. Our data suggest that astaxanthin can reduce ischemia-related injury in brain tissue through the inhibition of oxidative stress, reduction of glutamate release, and antiapoptosis.

Astaxanthin benefit for eyes
Inhibition of choroidal neovascularization with an anti-inflammatory carotenoid astaxanthin.
Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2008 April.
The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of Astaxanthin on the development of experimental choroidal neovascularization (CNV) with underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms. Laser photocoagulation was used to induce CNV in C57BL/6J mice. Mice were pretreated with intraperitoneal injections of Astaxanthin daily for 3 days before photocoagulation, and treatments were continued daily until the end of the study. Astaxanthin treatment, together with inflammatory processes including NF-kappaB activation, subsequent upregulation of inflammatory molecules, and macrophage infiltration, led to significant suppression of CNV development. The present study suggests the possibility of Astaxanthin supplementation as a therapeutic strategy to suppress CNV associated with age related macular degeneration.

Astaxanthin drug interactions
Q. Can you tell me if the clinical trials mention the P450 pathways or if there have been trials that list interactions of astaxanthin with others drugs?
   A. We are not aware of studies that have evaluated astaxanthin supplement use in combination with prescription medications or drugs.

Astaxanthin and dyspepsia
Efficacy of the natural antioxidant astaxanthin in the treatment of functional dyspepsia in patients with or without Helicobacter pylori infection: A prospective, randomized, double blind, and placebo-controlled study.
Phytomedicine. 2008 June. Kaunas University of Medicine, 50009 Kaunas, Lithuania.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of the natural antioxidant astaxanthin in functional dyspepsia in different doses and compared with placebo. Patients with functional dyspepsia, divided into three groups with 44 individuals in each group (placebo, 16mg, or 40mg astaxanthin, respectively).The primary objective was to test the hypothesis that the antioxidant astaxanthin at two doses regimens compared to placebo should ameliorate gastrointestinal discomfort in patients with functional dyspepsia, who were either positive or negative for Helicobacter pylori, after 4 weeks of treatment. At the end of therapy no difference between the three treatment groups was observed regarding mean Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS) scores of abdominal pain, indigestion and reflux syndromes. In general, no curative effect of astaxanthin was found in functional dyspepsia patients. Significantly greater reduction of reflux symptoms were detected in patients treated with the highest dose of the natural antioxidant astaxanthin. The response was more pronounced in H. pylori-infected patients.
   Comments: Astaxanthin may perhaps reduce gastric inflammation.

Astaxanthin and exercise induce muscle injury, no benefit
Astaxanthin supplementation does not attenuate muscle injury following eccentric exercise in resistance-trained men.
Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab. 2005 August. Dept. of Health and Sport Sciences the University of Memphis, Memphis, TN 38152, USA.
This investigation was designed to determine the effects of astaxanthin on markers of skeletal muscle injury. Twenty resistance trained men were assigned to either a placebo or astaxanthin (BioAstin; 1732 mg safflower oil; haematococcus algae extract [contains 4 mg astaxanthin and 480 mg lutein]. Subjects consumed their assigned treatment for 3 wk prior to eccentric exercise. Muscle soreness, creatine kinase (CK), and muscle performance was measured before and through 96 h post-exercise. A similar response was observed for both treatment groups for all dependent variables, indicating that in resistance trained men, astaxanthin supplementation does not favorably affect indirect markers of skeletal muscle injury following eccentric loading.

Lipids oxidation decrease
Effects of astaxanthin supplementation on lipid peroxidation.
Int J Vitam Nutr Res. 2007 Jan; Karppi J, Rissanen TH, Nyyssönen K, Kaikkonen J, Olsson AG, Voutilainen S, Salonen JT. Research Institute of Public Health, University of Kuopio, P.O. Box 1627, FI-70211 Kuopio, Finland.
Astaxanthin, the main carotenoid pigment in aquatic animals, has greater antioxidant activity in vitro (protecting against lipid peroxidation) and a more polar configuration than other carotenoids. We investigated the effect of three-month astaxanthin supplementation on lipid peroxidation in healthy non-smoking Finnish men, aged 19-33 years by using a randomized double-blind study design. Also absorption of astaxanthin from capsules into bloodstream and its safety were evaluated. The intervention group received two 4-mg astaxanthin (Astaxin) capsules daily, and the control group two identical-looking placebo capsules. Astaxanthin supplementation elevated plasma astaxanthin levels. We observed that levels of plasma 12- and 15-hydroxy fatty acids were reduced statistically significantly in the astaxanthin group during supplementation, but not in the placebo group and the change of 15-hydroxy fatty acid was almost significantly greater in the astaxanthin group, as compared with the placebo group. The present study suggests that intestinal absorption of astaxanthin delivered as capsules is adequate, and well tolerated. Supplementation with astaxanthin may decrease in vivo oxidation of fatty acids in healthy men.

Astaxanthin Studies
A preliminary investigation of the enzymatic inhibition of 5alpha-reduction and growth of prostatic carcinoma cell line LNCap-FGC by natural astaxanthin and Saw Palmetto lipid extract in vitro.
J Herb Pharmacother. 2005;5(1):17-26. Anderson ML. Research and Development, Triarco Industries, Wayne, NJ 07470
Inhibition of 5alpha-reductase has been reported to decrease the symptoms of benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) and possibly inhibit or help treat prostate cancer. Saw Palmetto berry lipid extract is reported to inhibit 5alpha-reductase and decrease the clinical symptoms of BPH. Epidemiologic studies report that carotenoids such as lycopene may inhibit prostate cancer. In this investigation the effect of the carotenoid astaxanthin, and Saw Palmetto berry lipid extract were examined for their effect on 5alpha-reductase inhibition as well as the growth of prostatic carcinoma cells in vitro. The results show astaxanthin demonstrated 98% inhibition of 5alpha-reductase at 300 microg/mL in vitro. Alphastat, the combination of astaxanthin and Saw Palmetto berry lipid extract, showed a 20% greater inhibition of 5alpha-reductase than Saw Palmetto berry lipid extract alone n vitro. Low levels of carotenoid astaxanthin inhibit 5alpha-reductase and decrease the growth of human prostatic cancer cells in vitro. Astaxanthin added to Saw Palmetto berry lipid extract shows greater inhibition of 5alpha-reductase than Saw Palmetto berry lipid extract alone in vitro.

Prevention of diabetic nephropathy by treatment with astaxanthin in diabetic db/db mice.
Biofactors. 2004;20(1):49-59.
Oxidative stress is implicated as an important mechanism by which diabetes causes nephropathy. Astaxanthin, which is found as a common pigment in algae, fish, and birds, is a carotenoid with significant potential for antioxidative activity. In this study, we examined whether chronic administration of astaxanthin could prevent the progression of diabetic nephropathy induced by oxidative stress in mice. The mice were divided into three groups as follows: non-diabetic, diabetic, and diabetic treated with astaxanthin. After 12 weeks of treatment, the astaxanthin -treated group showed a lower level of blood glucose compared with the non-treated db/db group. The results suggested that the antioxidative activity of astaxanthin reduced the oxidative stress on the kidneys and prevented renal cell damage. In conclusion, administration of astaxanthin might be a novel approach for the prevention of diabetes nephropathy.

Astaxanthin supplement questions
Q. I just learned about astaxanthin supplement and in reading on it, I found out it is also in yeast. Since I am a vegan, and this comes from fish, shrimp, etc. I was wondering if I took nutritional yeast, how much astaxanthin would be available?
   A. We really don't know the amount of astaxanthin in yeast, it may depend on the particular product being used. You could consider contacting the manufacturer of the actual yeast product you are using to see if they have done such astaxanthin analysis.

Q. I am going to buy astaxanthin supplements and suggest several friends buy it also. Almost every brand is 4 mg. The Source Naturals Astaxanthin product has 2 mg. I’m considering BiosAstin, or NSI or Source Naturals. Also, is there astaxanthin in Eyesight Rx?
   A. Many people think that a higher dosage of a supplement is healthier but that is not often the case. The body has a balance of nutrients and sometimes taking much more than the body needs can be counterproductive. There is no human research that says 4 mg is healthier than a lower dosage. There are many good astaxanthin products on the market including Source Naturals, and we have no reason to suspect that BiosAstin and NSI are any better or worse. There is very little astaxanthin in Eyesight Rx.

Q. Does Eyebright herb improve eyesight? What about Bilberry extract supplements?
   A. The effects of eyebright herb on vision are minimal compared to lutein, zeaxanthin and Eyesight Rx. Bilberry supplements may help some people with improved vision and it is best to use a combination eye formula that has a small amount of several herbs and herbal extracts.

Q. Are there any obvious interactions between astaxanthin supplements and tryptophan supplement?
   A. Not that we are aware of.

Q. I am a health food store manager and recieved this email. "Fuji is the world's leading producer of natural astaxanthin from Haematococcus pluvialis. By establishing subsidiaries in both Hawaii and Sweden to cultivate and produce astaxanthin via fully enclosed systems, Fuji had added a level of control and purity to a natural product. In addition to being a primary producer of astaxanthin, Fuji has also demonstrated its commitment to the science behind this exceptional carotenoid by the multitude of research it has sponsored over the years. Such areas of study include muscle endurance, diabetic nephropathy, eye health, weight management, and others. AstaReal by Fuji helps reduce body fat. Is it true that astaxanthin supplements help reduce body fat?
   A. We have not seen any good human studies that astaxanthin administration helps with weight loss.

Press release received April 2009
BioAstin Natural Astaxanthin eeduced sarcopenia (muscle loss most often associated with aging) in a study published in the Japanese Journal of Physical Fitness and Sports Medicine. BioAstin Natural Astaxanthin has demonstrated effectiveness in clinical research in several areas closely associated with aging. Astaxanthin’s benefits have already been well documented in areas such as skin aging, cardiovascular health, eye and brain health and of course, as an anti-inflammatory for conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis, and joint soreness due to exercise. A recent pre-clinical trial done in Japan with BioAstin in rodents* opens up a new area of interest for BioAstin as an anti-aging supplement. In this study, rats were given BioAstin at a low level of 0.004% of their daily feed for one year. Significant improvements in the treatment group were found including increased muscle weight as well as the muscle weight to body weight ratio. The researchers concluded that long term use of BioAstin may reduce age-related muscle atrophy. These results confirm a pre-clinical trial done in 2005 that demonstrated similar results. The new study is further evidence that Astaxanthin is the ideal ingredient for anyone over 50 years of age. For more information or to discuss formulation ideas, please contact us at bcapelli@cyanotech.com or call 808.334.9415. Please note that this research, although done with BioAstin, was not sponsored by Cyanotech. Our policy at Cyanotech is that we do not engage in animal research; however, we report animal research done by others as a means to fully understand the potential benefits of BioAstin in human nutrition. Cyanotech Corporation, a world leader in microalgae technology, produces BioAstin Natural Astaxanthin and Hawaiian Spirulina Pacifica®—all natural, functional nutrients that enhance human health and nutrition. Cyanotech's spirulina, FDA reviewed and accepted as Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) for use as a food ingredient, augments energy and immune response. BioAstin's benefits derive from its superior antioxidant activity and from its ability to support and maintain natural inflammatory response, enhancing skin, muscle and joint health. Cyanotech produces these products from microalgae grown at its 90-acre facility in Hawaii using patented and proprietary technology and distributes them to nutritional supplement, nutraceutical and cosmeceutical makers and marketers in more than 40 countries worldwide. Our products are all natural and are pesticide and herbicide free. They are free of genetically modified organisms and are produced in accordance with current Good Manufacturing Processes.

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Zanthoxylum ailanthoides stem and leaves possess antioxidative properties.
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This page was last updated in 2009.