astaxanthin is a more powerful antioxidant than either beta carotene or vitamin E [9,10].
Like other carotenoids, astaxanthin cannot be synthesized in animals and must be
provided in the diet. Because of its strong antioxidant capabilities, astaxanthin has been
postulated to have some benefits in cardiovascular diseases like atherosclerosis and
strokes, macular degeneration, cancer and various neurodegenerative diseases such as
Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases. Much interest has been focused on the latter
two diseases, because astaxanthin can pass the “blood brain barrier”, meaning it can
deliver antioxidant benefit directly to the brain and central nervous system. Over the
last few years, inflammation has become a hot topic. A study conducted at Kochi
Medical School in Japan found artificially induced inflammation of rat paws was
significantly inhibited by astaxanthin [ll].