Astaxanthin for Inflammation

Inflammation is painful, irritating and can be life-threatening. Often presenting itself in the form of pain, redness or swelling, inflammation can be a result of countless different factors. There are plently of anti-inflammatory drugs on the market, some better than others, some with side-effects and some that barely work at all. However, there is a natural substance that is used in many anti-inflammatory tablets, gels, creams and sprays and is regarded as the most powerful natural anti-inflammatory known to man. Astaxanthin is the king of all anti-inflammatories!

What is Astaxanthin?

Before getting carried away with what is being termed a miracle supplement, it is worthwhile knowing what Astaxanthin is. Astaxanthin is a 100% natural extract from algae, and it is the substance that gives salmon, prawns and other aquatic creatures the pinky orange colour. It is also the stuff that allows salmon to swim upstream.  Only recently has this amazing substance begun to be fully understood and its anti-inflammatory properties are some of the most impressive of all.

Powerful anti-inflammatory

Astaxanthin is a carotenoid and is both an effective anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory. Astaxanthin stands out of from other similar natural substances with anti-inflammatory properties in that it is longer lasting and simply more potent. It is one of the few substances that can cross the “blood barrier” between the bloodstream and the vital organs in the body. The nutrient is fat-soluble and can deliver its potent health benefits without causing physical damage. This means that as an anti-inflammatory, Astaxanthin can reach places other drugs or nutrients can’t.

Drugs not the answer to inflammation

With drugs like aspirin and Tylenol known to have specific side-effects it is becoming clear that more natural anti-inflammatory products are needed. Astaxanthin is natural and does a better job at relieving inflammation than all drugs.  Because of this there has been a flurry of research into Astaxanthin and how it treats inflammation and much of the reasoning is due to its combined antioxidant properties.

Astaxanthin is known to calm a number of inflammatory mediators and have no dangerous side effects. It also works differently to the drugs by gently working a number of inflammatory compounds rather than zoning in on just one. It makes sense to reduce the levels of inflammation in multiple compounds rather than eliminating inflammation in just one while others still rage.

What inflammation issues can Astaxanthin help address?

Just about any form of inflammation from a throbbing gum to sunburn can be addressed with Astaxanthin and the range of disorders it can treat is almost unending. Some of the more common disorders that can be treated include:

• Tennis Elbow
• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
• Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Stiffness and pain after exercise

Astaxanthin can be taken as an oral supplement or be used as a cream.  It is found in a variety of natural anti-inflammatory products and is generally easy to source. If you are considering using Astaxanthin for more serious inflammatory disorders it is recommended to seek professional medical advice first.