What is Astaxanthin?

Astaxanthin is a red pigment produced by the tiny algae Haematococcus pluvialis. Scientists believe that thanks to the protective effects of astaxanthin, this algae can survive for decades without food and water while being exposed to intense sunlight and heat.

Through food chains, astaxanthin accumulates in seafood, such as salmon and lobster, giving their flesh a pink color. These are our natural sources of astaxanthin. Scientists believe that the high concentration of astaxanthin in muscle tissue plays a crucial role for salmon. It enables sexually mature individuals to undertake their annual migration to upstream spawning grounds, where they must overcome incredible obstacles. This is due to the high concentrations of astaxanthin in the muscles, making them more resilient to oxidative stress.

If someone wants to consume astaxanthin, they can do so by regularly eating wild salmon. However, it’s important to note that nearly all Norwegian (or Atlantic) salmon is artificially farmed, and synthetic astaxanthin is added to their feed to color their flesh pink. Farmed salmon is, therefore, not a good source of natural astaxanthin.

For some time now, natural astaxanthin has been available as a dietary supplement. This astaxanthin is produced by cultivating the Haematococcus pluvialis algae under strictly controlled conditions. According to the method commonly used in places like Hawaii, the oil containing astaxanthin is then extracted from the algae. On the other hand, European producer Nataxin® grows astaxanthin in the Atacama Desert. Thanks to the pristine atmosphere, abundant sunlight, and pure water from the Andes Mountains, the natural growth process of the algae is optimized. This results in an environmentally friendly and reliable production process with a small ecological footprint. Our astaxanthin is processed into a plant-based softgel, making the product 100% vegan.

Astaxanthin and Eyes and Brain

Astaxanthin is one of the few substances capable of passing both the blood-brain barrier and the blood-eye barrier. As a result, astaxanthin that is absorbed through the diet also reaches these organs and exerts its effects.

Astaxanthin Spans Both Sides of the Cell Membrane

The illustration below shows that astaxanthin can attach to the cell membrane and span both the inside and outside. Similar natural ingredients such as vitamin C and beta-carotene, for example, cannot do this.

High Dosage

Research has shown that the health benefits of astaxanthin are optimal with high dosages. It is recommended to take two softgel capsules with 4mg of astaxanthin per day.