Volume :
3
Issue :
3
Abstract :
Scientists long ago discovered that a class of naturally-occurring pigments called carotenoids held powerful antioxidant properties that are crucial for eye health. This carotenoid is called astaxanthin. Astaxanthin is produced by the microalgae Haematococcus pluvialis when its water supply dries up, forcing it to protect itself from ultraviolet radiation. Astaxanthin is leaps and bounds more powerful than beta-carotene, alpha-tocopherol, lycopene, and lutein--other members of its chemical family. Astaxanthin exhibits very strong free radical scavenging activity, and protects eyes from oxidative damage. Astaxanthin is by far the most powerful carotenoid antioxidant when it comes to free radical scavenging: it is 65 times more powerful than vitamin C, 54 times more powerful than beta-carotene, and 14 times more powerful than vitamin E. Astaxanthin is far more effective than other carotenoids at "singlet oxygen quenching," which is a particular type of oxidation. The damaging effects of sunlight and various organic materials are caused by this less-stable form of oxygen. Astaxanthin is 550 times more powerful than vitamin E and 11 times more powerful than beta-carotene at neutralizing this singlet oxygen. Astaxanthin crosses the blood-brain barrier and the blood-retinal barrier which has huge implications for the health of eyes.