Astaxanthin to the Rescue
Several well-controlled clinical trials suggest that astaxanthin can help prevent eyestrain and reduce its effects. In a study of 26 computer workers receiving 5 mg astaxanthin daily for one month, subjects noted a 54 percent reduction of eye fatigue complaints and objective improvements in accommodation ability. Test subjects also showed a significant reduction in subjective symptoms.
Astaxanthin is shown to reduce inflammation in eye muscles and improve blood flow to the eyes, especially in the capillary vessels that supply blood to the retina. As an antioxidant, astaxanthin protects against free radical damage and oxidative stress. Because it is fat soluble, astaxanthin has a special affinity for cell membranes, particularly the double cell membrane found in eye muscle.
Astaxanthin and other xanthophylls are also known to reduce the risk of cataract formation and age-related macular degeneration. In patients with uveitis, animals studies showed that astaxanthin had the same anti-inflammatory actions as the steroid prednisolone. Effects include reduced inflammatory markers, including nitric oxide synthase, prostaglandin E2, and tumor necrosis factor alpha. Compared to beta- carotenoids, astaxanthin is twice as likely to be absorbed by retinal cells.