Astaxanthin is What Salmon Eat

“Astaxanthin is a red-orange carotenoid pigment derived from microalgae, fish, and crustaceans that can prevent and even treat conditions that progress from the negative effects of oxidative stress and antioxidant deterioration. Astaxanthin is a powerful antioxidant that has been shown to be ten times more powerful than other pigments and carotenoids including resveratrol. “ NaturalNews.com

I used to pooh pooh the anti oxidant battle that was fought with anti oxidant rich foods like blueberries and omega rich salmon. But I don’t anymore. The free radicals not only cause cancer, but help deteriorate eye sight and brain acuity; even leading to dementia.

I have found the more efficient, consistent, and less expensive way to get my omegas is with flax seed which I can put in anything including my protein shakes. Wal-Mart sells a pound of flaxseed for $3.50.

Then in researching information for my surfing and fitness writing I came upon astaxanthin. Salmon are rich in astaxanthin which they get in their 4.000 mile circle around the north pacific as they fatten up to return home to spawn. It is what gives their meat the pink color.

A firm in Hawaii called Nutrex sells the supplement as BioAstin  and a few tablets a day give you the recommended dosage. A monthly dose shipped is about $25. The added advantage for surfers is that astaxnthin is a higher dose of anti oxidant than most any other food and permeates the brain blood barrier to protect the eyes; even better than carotene from carrots.

A second advantage for surfers and people who spend a lot of time outdoors is that it builds in a protection to UV damage so that the most damaging of all exposures, the sun, is limited from hurting the skin.

Then the athletes and marathoners of Hawaii swear by its stamina producing qualities. Let’s face it, salmon may be the most powerful animals on earth. They propel themselves straight up a water fall so they are forcing their weight against the downward pressure of cascading water.

Other species that feast on salmon are sword fish, tuna, and bears.  Swordfish and tuna get them while the salmon are making their loops in the ocean and the bears wait for them as they spawn up rivers.

Free radicals cause so many other problems and now that the world is being radiated to an extent we are not allowed to learn, self protecting ourselves from cancer and life quality diminishing exposures is more crucial.