Is there some sort of competition on who can come up with new names for new drugs and natural products that are crazy hard to pronounce?  I vote to add this one to the competition. At the end of this blog entry, you’ll be asked to spell this in addition to saying it ten times fast. 

What is this hard to pronounce substance?

The answer to this question is almost as attention grabbing as the spelling challenge.  It seems when certain algae are stressed they release this powerful antioxidant belonging to a group of compounds called carotenoids that helps protect them from the stress.  It’s actually a red pigment. Amazingly, after the microalgae make it, those who eat it turn pink. Think salmon, shrimp, flamingos, crayfish and krill.  Salmon exhibit remarkable endurance when they migrate upstream, constantly swimming against intense currents for lengthy periods to spawn.  Scientists are now thinking that astaxanthin gives these fish the endurance they need.   

Let’s get a little technical.

Carotenoids are pigment colors that occur in nature. We may all be familiar with beta carotene, which is orange.  Astaxanthin, unlike most carotenes is not converted to vitamin A in the human body.But,like other carotenoids, astaxanthin has self-limited absorption orally and such low toxicity by mouth that no toxic syndrome is known. 

It’s actually been approved by the FDA as a food coloring for specific animal and fish foods.  Goldfish aficionados want to keep their goldfish a nice deep orange.   The industrial production of astaxanthin comes from both natural and synthetic sources.  Algae are the primary natural source of astaxanthin . Currently, the primary industrial source for natural astaxanthin is the microalgae Haematococcus pluvialis  which seems to accumulate the highest levels of astaxanthin in nature. Conveniently, in nature, these little folks double in their volume every week.  Commercially, more than 40 g of astaxanthin can be obtained from one kg of dry biomass

Nearly all commercial astaxanthin for aquaculture is produces synthetically selling at over five thousand dollars a kilo. However, synthetic production of astaxanthin is not so hot because it contains a mixture of stereoisomers.  It is also obtainable from natural sources. 

Hemoatococcus pluvialis (OMG and who thought that one up?) is used to make high dose human and pet supplements naturally. A yeast, Phaffia rhodozyma, also generates substantial amounts of astaxanthin and is used to create supplements.

When fighting free radicals, astaxanthin is designed perfectly to protect all parts of the cell. When it acts as an antioxidant, it positions itself across the entire cell membrane, attaching itself to both the exterior, interior and lipid layer, offering entire protection for each cell. 

Astaxanthin is better than most other antioxidants as it controls multiple free radicals at a time.  Astaxanthin forms an electron cloud around the molecule so when free radicals come by to steal electrons they are absorbed into the cloud and neutralized. It has unique molecular lipophilic and hydrophilic properties has it spanning the entire cell with one end handling the fat soluble part and one end handling the water-soluble part of the cell. It’s a powerful anti-oxidant, with anti-oxidant strength up to 6000 times more potent than Vitamin C and 800 times stronger than Co Q10..  And it never, like other antioxidants becomes a pro-oxidant in the body.  It’s not called the ‘king of carotenoids’ for nits. 

I like to use it in cases of Dry Eye in dogs.  It works as an anti-inflammatory.Keratoconjuctivitis sicca (KCS) is a condition that is commonly referred to as ‘dry eye’. The medical term means inflammation of the cornea and surrounding tissues from drying. It is a common condition resulting from inadequate production of the aqueous portion of the tear film that protects a dog’s eye by the lacrimal gland (a gland of the third eyelid gland) While conditions such as hypothyroidism and autoimmune disease as well and reactions to sulfa drugs may cause KCS the gland can rejuvenate with the proper holistic health. Astaxanthin can cross the barrier to reach the retina, crossing through a barrier that few make it through. It’s something I would recommend for retinal detachment and sight in general.  While this antioxidant is relatively new on the scene, it is an important one for eye health, and it’s not hard for me to imagine that it would be very effective in preventing cataracts. 

Astaxanthin is a serious anti-inflammatory. In that, it’s great for joint health , too. Measure it against any other joint product you use for your dogs.  It actually blocks and handles several different chemicals that create pain.  It reduces inflammation in the body and inflammation is what, always and eventually, helps create chronic disease.

 It has been proven to reduce Reactive Protein (CRP) in the body.  That is a key indicator of heart disease and the thought is that it will help prevent heart problems and be excellent for heart problems, also.  I would recommend this before CoQ10 as it is 800 times more powerful. 

Besides being great for joint health, eye function and heart health, it is also great for brain function, cancer prevention and immune system health.  And, the health benefits of astaxanthin that we are currently aware of are just the tip of the iceberg.

It’s a great protective antioxidant to add into your dog’s diet. From1 mg to several mg a day is fine to use.   Wild Pacific Salmon have the highest content ranging from 4 to 40 milligrams per kilogram.  Krill oil supplements have negligible amounts so you actually need to use the supplement. 

Flamingos are born with grey feathers. It is not until they start eating their natural diet of algae and crustaceans containing Astaxanthins that they turn pink.

And don’t worry. Your dog will stay the same color. No pink dogs for us !