Antioxidant astaxanthin helps protect against ulcers

Thursday, November 21, 2013 by: L.J. Devon, Staff Writer
Tags: astaxanthin, natural antioxidants, ulcer protection

(NaturalNews) Substances that protect the cells from the deteriorating effects of oxidation are antioxidants. These free radical scavenging antioxidants are essential for cellular health. Antioxidants like lycopene, beta carotene, and lutein have long been regarded as organ and tissue protectors. Antioxidant astaxanthin has been scientifically shown to be stronger than all three of these antioxidants, as researchers discover new evidence of astaxanthin's cellular protective powers. In one study, astaxanthin was found to help protect against ulcers.

Astaxanthin's unmatched antioxidant powers

Derived from microalgae Haematococcus pluvialis, astaxanthin is produced when the algae runs out of water. In an attempt to protect itself from UV radiation, the microalga produces antioxidant astaxanthin as means of protection.

This natural reaction births a free radical scavenger 65 times more powerful than vitamin C! It's even 14 times more powerful than vitamin E in this category. When it comes to singlet oxygen quenching, astaxanthin is 11 times more powerful than beta carotene at neutralizing the specific, less stable form of oxygen which typically welcomes UV radiation damage.

Astaxanthin is powerful, and it's also penetrating. Soluble in lipids, astaxanthin incorporates easily into cell membranes, reducing DNA damage.

Other studies confirm that astaxanthin reduces C-reactive proteins in the cardiovascular system, reducing triglycerides and increasing beneficial HDL levels.

Its ability to inhibit lipid peroxidation and simultaneously stimulate cancer cell death make it effective for treating breast, bladder and colon cancers.

It also has a unique ability to permeate both the blood-brain barrier and the blood-retinal barrier, bringing its protective powers to the eyes. Other antioxidants, like lycopene and beta carotene, don't have this ability. Unleashing its protective powers in the eyes, astaxanthin can protect against cataracts, macular degeneration and even blindness.

Study shows how astaxanthin protects against ulcers

Haematococcus pluvialis, the microalgae source of astaxanthin, was studied for its effect on gastric ulcers at the Central Food Technological Research Institute in India. In the study, rats were initially given total carotenoid and astaxanthin esters orally at various doses of 100, 250 and 500 microg/kg as the researchers studied astaxanthin's ulcer prevention ability. After being fed the antioxidants, the rats were then given ethanol to induce gastric ulcers.

After studying alcian blue-binding assay, the researchers determined that highest astaxanthin doses (500 microg/kg) can effectively protect the gastric mucin in the gastrointestinal tract. Gastric mucin is a specific large glycoprotein which protects the gastrointestinal tract from pathogens, acid and trauma.

Moreover, astaxanthin ester pretreatment significantly raised antioxidant enzyme levels in the stomach, including superoxide dismutase, catalase and gluthathione peroxidase. Histopathological examination confirmed the results, showing how astaxanthin regulates gastric acid secretion. The researchers noted that the lipoxygenase inhibition in the rats' cells were 23 times greater when astaxanthin was given, compared to administrations of a common proton pump blocking anti-ulcer drug called omeprazole.

The researchers concluded that the free radical scavenging activity of astaxanthin, found in H. pluvialis, does in fact protect against gastric mucosal injury through potent antioxidant delivery.

Where to find the omnipotent health protector astaxanthin?

A 6 oz serving of Wild Pacific salmon would deliver to the body a recommended 3.6 milligram dose of astaxanthin. Salmon, lobster, crab and shrimp feed on the H. pluvialis microalgae, taking up the powerful antioxidant in their muscles as it accumulates in their cells. As a red substance, astaxanthin is responsible for turning these seafood creatures a pink color. So readily available in fish muscles, astaxanthin has been theorized as the substance that gives fish the endurance they need to swim for long periods upstream.

This antioxidant substance has so many unique protective abilities that it should be the center point for all real "health insurance" plans. It's time to stop throwing money into a blind pot, hoping insurance companies will protect you.

Rather, it's time to invest in real protectors like astaxanthin and get the powerhouse into the body for authentic cellular protection.

Sources for this article include:

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