Astaxanthin has been around a long, long time, but it has only recently begun to be recognized as the super-antioxidant that it really is. This reddish-colored pigment is produced by microalgae, and ingested by several different forms of marine life, including salmon, lobster, shrimp, and other red-hued organisms.
Often called "the king of the carotenoids," astaxanthin is 10 to 100 times more powerful than other carotenoids like beta-carotene and lycopene. Plus, unlike several other antioxidants, astaxanthin does not become pro-oxidant in the body. This makes it one of the most potent and powerfully effective antioxidants that one can ingest. The following list represents just a few examples of how astaxanthin positively affects the body, and benefits one's health.
Astaxanthin is a reddish pigment that belongs to a group of chemicals called carotenoids. It occurs naturally in certain algae and causes the pink or red color in salmon, trout, lobster, shrimp, and other seafood.