Brain Health

There is increasing evidence that many diseases of the brain (including Alzheimer's and dementia) are related to oxidative stress (1) and inflammation (2). There are several published studies performed using laboratory animals which suggest that astaxanthin may support the prevention of certain neurodegenerative diseases as a result of its strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties (3; 4). Studies have also shown that astaxanthin improves cognitive function and memory in people middle-aged and older (5). Astaxanthin was also shown to reduce the reactive oxygen species phospholipid hydroperoxides, which accumulate abnormally in erythrocytes of dementia patients (6).

References:

1. Ahmad et al. Oxidative toxicity in diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease: mechanisms behind ROS/ RNS generation. J Biomed Sci. (2017) 24: 10 pages. REF
2. McGeer, PL. and McGeer, EG. Inflammation of the brain in Alzheimer's disease: implications for therapy. Journal of Leukocyte Biology (1999) 65: 409-415. REF
3. Shen et al. Astaxanthin reduces ischemic brain injury in adult rats. FASEB J. (2009) 23: 1958–1968. REF
4. Zhang et al. Astaxanthin alleviates cerebral edema by modulating NKCC1 and AQP4 expression after traumatic brain injury in mice. BMC Neurosci. (2016) 17: 9 pages. REF
5. Katagiri et al. Effects of astaxanthin-rich Haematococcus pluvialis extract on cognitive function: a randomized, double-blinded, placebo controlled study. J Clin Biochem Nutr (2012) 51:102-107. REF
6. Nakagawa et al. Antioxidant effect of astaxanthin on phospholipid peroxidation in human erythrocytes. Br J Nutr. (2011) 105: 1563-71. REF