Astaxanthin has shown in human clinical trials that it can capture free radicals before they cause damage.
(prHWY.com) November 5, 2012 - USA, NY -- USA Nov 05, 2012 - Astaxanthin has shown in human clinical trials that it can capture free radicals before they cause damage. Not only can astaxanthin prevent damage and help protect your skin from ageing, it has also been shown to carry out 'rescue' efforts to help to reverse damage that has already occurred. But before we discuss Astaxanthin, let's look at how sunlight affects our skin
Sunlight and UV rays
It is now generally accepted that sunlight exerts a lot of stress on the skin.
However, it is also known that sunlight has some positive effects - it increases the levels of vitamin D3, a vitamin-pro-hormone that is vital for good health. Therefore, the challenge remains, how do we achieve a healthy balance of sunlight... enough to make sufficient vitamin D3 and show a nice tan, without creating damage and accelerating the aging process.
Let's examine sunlight and in particular the two components that influence skin.
Astaxanthin Sun Protection - It is the ultraviolet (UV) spectrum of sunlight that causes the damage to our skin. There are essentially 3 wavelengths - UVA, UVB & UVC. The UVC rays never reach the earth's surface and therefore they are not a direct problem, however it is the UVA and UVB light, which impact the skin, causing different types of damage:
UVB light: has a short wavelength, and so doesn't penetrate into the deepest layers of the skin (only the epidermis). It is this type of UV light that creates a tan and also stimulates Vitamin D production. However, UVB is also responsible for sun burn and inflammation during excessive exposure.
UVA light: has a longer wavelength, that penetrates deeper into the skin reaching the dermis, it is here where it strikes against the collagen-elastin fibers and destroys the supporting structures of the skin - this leads to sagging and wrinkles.
The easiest way to remember the difference between the two is UV"A" for "ageing", and UV"B" for "burning"! So what can we do to stop the damage?
How can we protect our skin from ageing due to UV free radical damage?
The first, perhaps obvious line of protection is to use an external sun barrier. If you are going to be exposed to intense sunlight for extended periods of time, you should regularly apply sun block with adequate sun protection factor (SPF) 15-30 relative to your skin type.
Make sure that this sun block protects against both UVA & UVB.
The second line of protection, and one that I strongly recommend is Astaxanthin. Astaxanthin provides protection from both the UVA and UVB rays FROM WITHIN. Astaxanthin is a red carotenoid which is manufactured naturally by a marine algae (Haematococcus Pluvalis) - this algae helps to convert sunlight into energy via photosynthesis. However, when the algae is over-exposed to intense sunlight, it changes its role and begins to manufacture Astaxanthin. This Astaxanthin is the algae's defense mechanism to prevent burning and damage to its inner structures.
Scientists have determined that the Astaxanthin protects the algae from the harmful effects of UV radiation - and it is by this same principle that Astaxanthin acts to protect our skin cells from free radical damage created by UV-sunlight.
Does it really work?
A number of studies have been conducted with Astaxanthin to investigate the effects of astaxanthin on the skin and, as expected, the results were very impressive. In a pioneering, single blind placebo controlled study in Japan in 2006, 49 middle aged women were given 4mg of Astaxanthin per day or a placebo. The results showed that the women taking Astaxanthin found a number of significant improvements in the condition of their skin compared to those taking the placebo. In just 4 weeks, they recorded increases in moisture levels, a reduction in wrinkles and improved elasticity. Maybe this is why Oriental-Asian women consume large quantities of natural Astaxanthin. They already know how important it is to protect the skin from ageing from the inside.
About the Author:
Astaxanthin Sun Protection - Astaxanthin is an antioxidant supplement that helps fight the signs of aging and support joint and skeletal health, among other astaxanthin benefits. Astaxanthin is an antioxidant supplement that helps fight the signs of aging and support joint and skeletal health, among other astaxanthin benefits. We extract our natural astaxanthin using Super Critical CO2, which maintains the product's purity and superiority.
Astaxanthin Sun Protection
###