The Benefits Of Supplementary Astaxanthin For Concussions, Eye Health & So Much More – Part 2
- Jan 25, 2024
- 7 min read
Updated: Jul 8
Written by: Ida Fanelli, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
In Part One of this Article, I shared the benefits of topical and Homeopathic Arnica in first aid usage and for concussion sufferers. As a Certified Holistic Aesthetician and Reflexologist, continued education and further study of holistic and health benefits found in food, remedies, supplements, skincare and other products is helpful and necessary to make recommendations to the individual needs of my clients. That is why, only two weeks after my husband suffered a concussion from an accident, I attended a seminar focused on helping concussion sufferers.
While researching, I learned about the importance of a diet high in healthy fats and specific lipids to support healthy cells and the development of nervous tissue. During this process, I discovered Astaxanthin, a powerful natural antioxidant known for protecting cells.
For part one of this article, click here.
Astaxanthin is a carotenoid
Astaxanthin is a carotenoid – carotenoids are pigmented phytochemicals found in plants, bacteria, marine algae, and other living organisms. They are diverse natural pigments primarily found in veggies, fruits, and many plant parts. Bright orange, red and yellow colours indicate their presence. Flamingos, lobsters, salmon, fish, eggs, rainbow trout, crabs, krill, and other seafood are a perfect pink or red because of Astaxanthin – owing to what they consume. So, for example, wild salmon naturally obtains this carotenoid from their shrimp and small fish diet. On the other hand, farmed salmon lack this vital carotenoid as they follow a diet composed primarily of fish meal and oils, giving them a grayish hue.
To mimic the attractive pink colour found in wild salmon, food manufacturers began adding synthetic Astaxanthin to the feed of farmed salmon, but now, by law, grocers are required to inform consumers when a colour has been added artificially to salmon. Studies indicate that to take optimal advantage of the health benefits of Astaxanthin; one should opt for wild-caught salmon and avoid salmon that is farmed or artificially coloured. Not only is wild-caught salmon naturally higher in this vital carotenoid, but it’s also been shown to be safer for consumption and contain fewer contaminants.
An irreparably damaged optic nerve shocks the medical community
After attending the seminar where I heard about the benefits of supplementing with Astaxanthin, we introduced Astaxanthin (aka Super Vitamin E) into my husband’s daily regimen only a couple of weeks after his accident – a terrible fall during a training run where he not only suffered a bruised, bleeding and swollen face and a concussion, but he also damaged the optic nerve in his left eye. He continues using an Astaxanthin supplement daily because its efficacy is 550 times more than Vitamin E, nearly 6,000 times stronger than Vitamin C, and 550 times wealthier than green tea or other Catechins. It also provides electrons to free radicals, keeps them in check, and can never cause destructive oxidation in the body.
A few days after his accident, my sister-in-law was hiking with a friend who was also an optometrist. She relayed the essential facts about my husband’s accident but also mentioned her concern about his blind left eye, so the optometrist recommended a referral to an ophthalmologist (eye specialist).
After reviewing the test results from the hospital, the ophthalmologist at Ivey Eye Institute in London, Ontario, referred my husband to an otolaryngologist (ear, nose & throat specialist) to remove a bone splinter that pierced his optic nerve from the accident. The eye specialist phoned me before the surgery to caution me that he didn’t think my husband would get any of his vision back, but he felt that it was still worthwhile to go through with the surgery because it would alleviate the pain he still felt at that time in his head. The surgery involved going through his left nostril to remove the tiny bone that pierced the optic nerve, and the operation ended up taking place one week after my husband’s accident.
Immediately after the operation, my husband saw a white light through his left eye. The ophthalmologist monitored my husband for a year, and he mentioned that if there were any improvements, they would occur during that time. During one of my husband’s routine eye chart readings, the ophthalmologist was astonished and ran out of the room in search of his colleagues so that they could ‘see’ that my husband could read the letters on the chart with his left eye! Within a year, my husband miraculously regained 60% of his vision in his left eye, and the otolaryngologist wrote a professional article about his case in a medical magazine.
Astaxanthin’s benefits
Eye health
Astaxanthin crosses the blood/eye barrier and provides antioxidants to the eyes.
It increases blood flow to the eye, allowing the blood to reoxygenate the tissues of the retina and eyeball and clear out toxins and waste more efficiently.
Brain health
Neuroprotective Properties: Astaxanthin can cross into the brain and helps protect the central nervous system from oxidative stress.
Maintains Cognitive Vitality: Astaxanthin helps maintain memory, mental clarity, and mental performance as we age by neutralizing free radicals and supporting healthy blood flow to the brain.
Heart health
Vascular Elasticity: Astaxanthin helps protect blood vessel linings from oxidative damage, which supports the natural flexibility and strength of artery walls.
Lipid Protection: Astaxanthin helps prevent fats in the blood, like LDL cholesterol, from oxidizing. This supports a healthy heart and blood pressure over time.
Liver health
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the most common liver conditions, but Astaxanthin use can help protect liver function and prevent fatty liver disease. Fatty liver disease occurs mainly due to oxidative stress caused by prolonged inflammation in the liver. It is often associated with metabolic disorders like obesity and the accumulation of lipids at the cellular level.
Type 2 diabetes
Recent research suggests that Astaxanthin supports metabolic balance by helping to promote a healthy insulin response and optimizing how the body processes carbohydrates. Additionally, by modulating the body's oxidative stress, this powerful antioxidant can effectively ease irritation in the joints, stomach lining, and airways.
Eases inflammation & improves immunity
Astaxanthin helps protect your lungs, eyes, stomach lining, and heart against bacterial inflammation by reducing inflammation.
Astaxanthin’s ability to reduce oxidative stress helps to reduce ulcers because it will help control Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), located in the intestinal wall linings.
People using Astaxanthin showed signs of decreased DNA damage and improved immune response.
Astaxanthin is also a promising option for managing both Arthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis because its anti-inflammatory properties help with joint pain.
Astaxanthin encourages the lymphatic glands to produce more lymphocytes, stimulating the immune response and improving their function.
Men’s health
Men treated with Astaxanthin saw reduced sperm death, increased sperm count, and enhanced the ability of sperm to fertilize eggs. Additionally, men also achieved higher pregnancy rates and improved overall vitality and fertility.
Women’s Health
Astaxanthin can also prevent symptoms associated with menopause, such as anxiety, stress, hot flashes and depression.
Skin health
The antioxidative properties of Astaxanthin are also excellent for your skin.
Acting as an internal UV defence, whether taken as a supplement or applied topically, Astaxanthin helps protect the skin's structure from UV-related oxidative stress and the visible signs of aging. Furthermore, it supports the natural skin barrier to smooth the appearance of fine lines, improve moisture retention, and maintain an overall even skin tone
Talk to a doctor before adding Astaxanthin to your health regimen, as everyone’s health needs are unique!
Interactions with medications
Since Astaxanthin may help lower blood pressure, you should not take it if your doctor prescribes blood pressure medication.
Pregnancy & breastfeeding
It is unknown whether Astaxanthin causes side effects if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. To avoid potential risks, do not take Astaxanthin supplements or high quantities of Astaxanthin-rich foods while pregnant or nursing a child.
Allergic reactions
Avoid getting Astaxanthin from those sources if you have a known seafood allergy. See your healthcare provider and discuss other methods for adding this nutrient to your diet.
Amounts and dosage
There is no set dosage for Astaxanthin, although some studies have recommended doses of 4 milligrams per day. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved doses up to 12 milligrams daily.
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Ida Fanelli, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Ida is a certified aesthetician (graduate of Marvel School of Beauty), offering home-based services since 1994. Ida provides various holistic services; she graduated from Zanqara’s Holistica Skin Care’s Dermatician course in 1994, which required her to understand homeopathic remedies. Ida has been a certified reflexologist since 1993 (graduate of D’Arcy Lane Institute). She has also been practicing Healing Energy since 1998 and has added the Ion Cleanse Foot Detox to her therapies. In 2012, Ida became a certified Sharplight Laser (IPL) Technician. She enjoys learning new techniques which can benefit her clients. In 2019, she received certification from the Center for Pain and Stress Research (CPSR.) She can now speed up the healing of scars and help with pain caused by surgical scars to her list of specialties.
Important Consumer Notice & Disclaimer: This article is for educational and informational purposes only and does not replace professional medical diagnosis, therapy, or targeted treatment. Head trauma, concussions, and injuries affecting the optic nerve or vision are serious medical emergencies that require immediate, specialized evaluation. If you or a loved one has experienced a head injury, suspect a concussion, or is experiencing vision changes, please consult a licensed physician, neurologist, neuro-ophthalmologist, or emergency care provider immediately. For ongoing, long-term recovery and integrative wellness, always seek the guidance of a licensed healthcare practitioner or naturopathic doctor to tailor a safe and effective protocol for your specific needs. Reliance on any information provided in this article is solely at your own risk.
References:
https://www.lifeextension.com/wellness/supplements/astaxanthin-benefits
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666154323001928
https://www.verywellhealth.com/astaxanthin-uses-side-effects-precautions-storage-7507313
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/optic-neuritis/symptoms-causes/syc-20354953
https://www.barrowneuro.org/condition/optic-nerve-disorders/
