Company insight
Astaxanthin: The red diamond
Natural astaxanthin has a strong inflammatory effect and is highly efficient fighting against reactive oxygen species (ROS). The blood flow within the body is impacted in a positive way by an oral intake of natural astaxanthin, which is not only of great significance for cardiovascular health but also improves oxygen and nutrient transport to/towards the human brain. Katharina Müller, head of product development and product management, and Monika Siebel, sales director, nutrition and pharma, at BDI-BioLife Science, explain how a clinical study from 2019 has proven the holistic positive effect of natural astaxanthin on the psychophysiological heart-brain axis and enables new applications of the red diamond as co-therapeutic agent.
A
staxanthin’s power as the strongest antioxidant is on the rise. Thanks to its special chemical structure, natural astaxanthin can pass the blood-brain barrier and take full effect – a property that only few compounds possess.
Positive influences on the heart-brain axis The heart and brain communicate in various ways. Some of the best communication takes place between the nervous system and triggered electrical impulses, particularly in the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system. The sympathetic nerve fibres originate in the cervical ganglions and are also termed cardiac nerves (Nervi cardiaci); they are responsible for the acceleration of the heart rate. The parasympathetic nerve fibres that are responsible for relaxation and the deceleration of the heart rate stem from the tenth cranial nerve. These nerve fibres end in a neuroplexus, the so-called Plexus cardiacus, at the base of the heart. The stimulation of the Nervus vagus as therapeutic agent for various diseases plays a central role in today’s research. Most recent studies from the year 2020 addressed the heart-brain axis and analysed the significance of antioxidants like natural astaxanthin in connection with cardiovascular and cognitive health. In this randomised, placebo-controlled double-blind study, 28 healthy probands were supplemented with a daily dose of 12mg of natural astaxanthin or with a respective placebo over eight weeks. The
Ingredients Insight /
www.ingredients-insight.com
verifiably positively and substantially supports the physical and mental wellbeing.
Happy heart
Astaxanthin supplementation can significantly reduce stress intensity.
results of the astaxanthin reference group were astonishing. The probands with astaxanthin supplementation showed a significant decrease of the average heart rate at submaximal stress intensity by 10% compared with the placebo group. Their heart beats per minute (bpm) could be reduced significantly after an eight week supplement at the aerobic (AeT) as well as at the anaerobic (AT) threshold. This suggests a substantial easing of the cardiovascular system.
Furthermore, there were significant improvements in the astaxanthin group regarding the evaluation of the psychological state. The parameters for tension, depression, anger, tiredness and confusion were significantly reduced and suggested an altogether positive state of mind. Natural astaxanthin, thus, influences the psychophysiological heart-brain axis
While earlier studies have shown how astaxanthin positively influences heart health and cognitive performance, these results are the first to prove that supplementation with natural astaxanthin supports the psychophysiological heart- brain axis with simultaneous enhancement of the physical and mental wellbeing. In addition to these psychophysiological benefits for the heart-brain axis, the results suggest that a supplementation with natural astaxanthin from the microalga Haematococcus pluvialis as co-therapeutic agent can support persons with physical and psychological needs. Due to the double effect of natural astaxanthin on the health of heart and brain, future studies will be even more important to also support other groups of persons significantly.
Company insight
BDI-BioLife Science is specialised in the development of innovative technologies to manufacture high-quality algal valuable materials for the life-science industry. At the cultivation plant at Ökopark Hartberg in Austria, BDI-BioLife Science uses its in-house developed closed algae breeding method to produce premium natural astaxanthin, tailor-made for the cosmetics (AstaCos) and nutritional supplement (AstaFit) industries. ●
www.bdi-biolifescience.com 35
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84
