Astaxanthin- The boost for physical energy and endurance
Do you wish to stretch your physical potential further and push yourself towards the borders that you have always
wanted to break? Recover faster each day and maintain the determination to keep up with your workout plan? If
your commitment to an exercise regime is always dampened by a lack of energy and rapidly depleted vigour, look
no further. Astaxanthin may just be the boost you need to make exercising more enjoyable and rewarding.
Touted as the up-and-coming super star of the health world, Astaxanthin is a naturally occurring fat-soluble
pigment that derives its vivid reddish-orange colour from various oceanic sources, such as microalgae, salmon,
lobsters and shrimps. Marine microalgae, Haematococcus pluvialis is selected for its high concentration of the
carotenoid pigment.
Essentially a member of the carotenoid family, Astaxanthin shares the same antioxidant properties as other
carotenoids, such as beta-carotene that is found abundantly in yellow-green leafy vegetables. Vitamin E is another
well-known name possessing the same property for eliminating active oxygen or free radicals.
Astaxanthin has the astounding ability to enhance physical endurance and muscle recovery. Consumption of
Astaxanthin has demonstrated marked improvement in the body’s capacity for physical activity. This is especially
beneficial for people seeking more energy to cope with physical exercises and strenuous sports. Muscle recovery
time is shortened and lactic acid build-up after strenuous physical activity is greatly decreased. Other observable
effects include a boost in the ability to sustain physical muscle movement and also the prevention of concomitant
muscle injuries.
The mechanics are simply on grounds of Astaxanthin allowing the continual transport of fats into the mitochondria
for energy production. Henceforth, possible weight loss and muscle toning may be observed depending on the
intensity as well as duration one spends on completing the exercise routine.
In a nutshell, Astaxanthin is a powerful antioxidant with benefits in promoting muscle endurance and recovery,
besides aiding weight loss. When choosing an Astaxanthin supplement, look out for essential factors that include:
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Extraction from a natural source such as marine microalgae
Sufficient strength for high antioxidant potency (minimum 4 mg/ day)
High in quality (processed under a controlled environment, such as the Bio-Dome Technology)
Reference:
Aoi. et al. (2008) Astaxanthin improves muscle lipid metabolism in exercise via inhibitory effect of oxidative CPT 1 modification.
Biochemical & Biophysical Research Communications 36:892-897.