If I ask you to think of the best food for your eyes, what comes to mind? If you’re like most, you probably thought of carrots, and for good reason. We’ve known for years that beta-carotene, the nutrient found in carrots responsible for their orange color, can help support the eyes.
However, based on recent research, it would appear that a cousin to beta-carotene, astaxanthin (asta-ZAN-thin), may be even more powerful, offering greater benefit to not only your eyes, but your entire body. In fact, astaxanthin was recently featured on a segment of the Dr. Oz show as, “The Surprising Supplement you Need” where guest Dr. Joseph Mercola reviewed it’s many health benefits.
But first, what is it?
Astaxanthin is a very powerful antioxidant that is found abundantly in nature in algae as well as in the marine animals that consume it. In fact, it’s responsible for the pinkish color of wild salmon and shrimp.
So what does the research say? It’s important to note that much of the research is animal, in-vitro or human pre-clinical, but it’s impressive nonetheless. Astaxanthin has been found to protect the eyes from cataracts and macular degeneration, boost immune function, reduce blood pressure, increase insulin sensitivity (thereby supporting healthy blood sugar), and perhaps most importantly act as a powerful anti-inflammatory. It’s this final point that makes astaxanthin the super-hero in waiting, as roughly 80% of diseases, including many forms of cancer, are inflammatory related.
The most common food source of astaxanthin is wild Alaskan salmon, but you can also supplement with it directly. I like Jarrow Formulas’ Astaxanthin 4mg softgels because it uses a patented form that has been used in clinical studies. One final note – to maximize absorption, experts recommend taking it with a meal containing fat.
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