Astaxanthin - Nature's Internal Sunscreen

I’ve wanted to do a blog post on Astaxanthin for a while, because I just love it so much, mainly because it allows me to be the sun-worshiper I am with a little more peace of mind. Astaxanthin is definitely one of my top tips for staying healthy in the sun, keep reading and you'll find out why...

Firstly, what is it? Astaxanthin is a powerful antioxidant in the Carotenoid family. Carotenoids refer to a group of nutrients that are known for their rich and colourful pigmentation of reds, oranges, and yellows. They are found in foods with those colours such as Carrots, Peppers and Citrus Fruits. Many of these Carotenoids can be converted to Vit A and are great for eye health, which lends itself to the saying ‘Carrots help you see in the dark’

Astaxanthin itself is found in freshwater algae, which is consumed by many different types of aquatic life, its intense red pigmentation results in these animals having red or pink flesh, or outer shells, such as wild sock-eye salmon, shrimp or crabs. As humans eating these pink seafoods are our main dietary sources of Astaxanthin.

However, if we want to truly benefit from what this beautiful antioxidant has to offer we require a higher dosage than just a piece of fish once or twice a week. Infact, supplementing with 4mg per day has been shown to have amazing health benefits for our eyes, hair and skin and cellular function.

Astaxanthin is often used by people with deteriorating eye health and is especially powerful at protecting against harmful blue light emitted from screens. However, I want to focus on its profound effects on our skin, specifically in protecting us from harmful UV rays found in sunlight. In clinical trials Astaxanthin has been shown to improve texture and moisture levels of the skin and aid in faster repair and rejuvenation after sun damage has occurred. (1) Thus leading to protection against premature aging caused by sun damage.

I like to think of Astaxanthin as an internal sunscreen that protects me from the inside-out. Supplementing with Astaxanthin can protect against burning, wrinkling, dryness, peeling, and for some, can help with achieving that sun-kissed glow we all desperately want this time of year. Astaxanthin needs time to build up in the body so starting it 2 or 3 weeks before a holiday is best to ensure you get the beneficial effects. I take it all through the summer months from about April- Oct. Although I know many people who take it year round as a great overall antioxidant for health.

Astaxanthin can be found in many supplement or health food stores, when shopping look on the label for ‘Haematococcus pluvialis’ (H. pluvialis) this is the truest and best form of microalgae - eaten by fish. There are many synthetic types out there so ensure you buy from a reputable source and check the label before buying. This summer I have been using ‘Royal Green Superfood Astaxanthin’ https://royal-green.eu/supplementen/ I found it at my local health food store. Astaxanthin is best taken with food, for better absorption.

Take responsibly and never use as a substitute for sunscreen. Happy sun-worshiping!

Studies cited in this article

1. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29941810/

Disclaimer:

The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or qualified healthcare provider with any questions or concerns about your health. Never disregard or delay seeking medical advice because of something you have heard or read on the internet.