The 10 things you need to know about Astaxanthin
Yes, friends, it pains me to say it but we are still in the throes of January, better known as the month you give up sugar - alcohol - chocolate - carbs - anything that ever resembled fun (delete as appropriate). It's hard, really hard. But there's some good stuff to be taken from the earnestness that January is steeped in. You might have found the singular type of exercise that you don't utterly despise, and - thanks to all that time away from the pub - you might have finished a book in less than a week, and if you've been really rather good, fit into a dress that you daren't have slipped over your head some three months ago (guilty).
January's not all bad. Because on top of all of this, it gives adequate air time to the newest movers and shakers of the health and wellbeing world. The good ones. Currently starting it's own little whirlpools both here and across the Atlantic is Astaxanthin - a plant pigment found in ocean algae. Astaxanthin, by all accounts, has done more than enough to justify to its wonder-supplement name tag; it's a strong antioxidant, a potentially powerful anti-inflammatory with immunity-regulating properties. Some think it even wards off cancer. And as if that weren't enough to keep Astaxanthin busy, it's also known to boost the skin's overall appearance. No wonder it's prolific as a Rick Owens leather jacket.
By February, of course, we may no longer care, but for now - it's time to get to know the power of Astaxanthin.
1. Astaxanthin is an energy-giver and helps recovery from exercise
Just as athletes are advised to eat plenty of salmon (rich in Astaxanthin), so too can we benefit from the enhanced energy levels it can offer, plus the muscle recovery and increased endurance. It's basically kryptonite, but pink.
2. Astaxanthin is one of the strongest antioxidants on the planet
Don't understimate the power of an antioxidant, it's the thing derms swear by for keeping skin looking naturally healthy, youthful and glowing. Astaxanthin's antioxidant properties will help stave off the damaging effects of pollution, ultraviolet light and skin stress from the inside-out. Plus, it can be transported throughout the body through fats or liquid to offer a really efficient amount of protection for every cell. Green People Age Defy Green Beauty with Astaxanthin, £32.95 is 550 times stronger than the skin preserving Vitamin E.
3. It works as an in-built sun defence
Studies show that Astaxanthin works hard to support the body's largest organ: skin. Most notably of its skills is its power to work as an internal sun protection shield, able to pinpoint the inflammation caused by sunburn in the skin and reduce ultra-violet damage. No SPF30 cream is able to work in this way.
4. It comes in a jelly-like substance for skin too
As the first major topical skincare formula to harness the antixidant power of Astaxanthin, Astalift produced an innovative jelly-like texture - Astalift Jelly Aquarysta Rejuvenating Concentrate, £26 - with particles fine enough to deliver the goodness deep down into skin. Astalift is now Japan's number one selling skincare range.
5. It is responsible (at least in part) for making your skin as glowy as Gwyneth's, she swears by the stuff. OK, yes she swears by a lot of supplements, dietary wizardry and the wonderment of nature, but in the words of When Harry met Sally, I'll have what she's having.
6. Astaxanthin is the stuff that makes salmon and flamingos pink
Chemically, it's similar to beto-ceratine which is what makes carrots orange. Astaxanthin is present in marine algae, which is eaten by crustaceans which are then in turn eaten by salmon, who are then eaten by birds such as flamingos. By eating salmon, you'll be ingesting a hit of the pink stuff but not nearly as much as if you take it in supplement form each day.
7. It can neutralise the sins of a bad diet, smoking and alcohol
Ok, it doesn't totally wipe the slate clean, but Astaxanthin is such a heavyweight antioxidant that it can repair cell damage caused by the anti-radicals that the body creates as a result of a naughty lifestyle. Astapure Timeless Beauty Capsules, £16.10 contain 4mg of the stuff, the highest recommended daily dosage.
8. Dr Oz - America's most trusted GP - calls it the number one supplement you've never heard of
Seriously, Dr Oz is like God in the USA. What he says goes. And he says that Astaxanthin is the hard to spell answer to our supplement prayers, able to protect the body against inflammation related diseases associated with the heart or arthritus. And with that, millions of Americans became instantly healthier.
9. Astaxanthin makes you see things a little more clearly
It's true. Due to the way it can shoot around the body, passing through liquid and fats, it has the remarkable skill of being able to directly reach your retina. Doctors have claimed it's just as effective as prescription drugs, if not more, for fighting against eye conditions and preventing cataracts. Not only that, it'll help diffuse eye fatigue for those who strain through glasses to see their computer screen. It's a bit of a show off, really. Perricone MD Total Skin and Body Supplements, £75 contain a hit of Astaxanthin as well as every other major vitamin worth knowing about.
10. Allison Williams, the all-American wholesome one from Girls, takes it with her wherever she goes
She also takes chlorella and chia seeds supplements, Vitamin A and just about every other skin-preserving thing going and always looks fresh and zingy.
