Reduce oxidative stress with regular astaxanthin intake

Researchers from the U.K. report that taking astaxanthin regularly can reduce oxidative stress, which in turn, help fights skin aging. For their study, published in Nutrition Research, they looked at the effect of continuous astaxanthin consumption on oxidative stress in middle-aged men and women.

• Oxidative stress speeds up skin aging, and dietary supplementation with antioxidants may reduce it.
• The researchers hypothesized that regular intake of astaxanthin, a carotenoid antioxidant, could influence residual skin surface component (RSSC) morphology, which allows detecting age-related changes in corneocyte desquamation, microbial presence, and lipid droplet size.
• To test this hypothesis, the researchers recruited 31 participants over the age of 40. They gave the participants 4 milligrams (mg) per day of astaxanthin for four weeks.
• They also took RSSC samples from the surface of the facial skin of participants at the start and end of the study. In addition, they took blood samples at the start of the study, the 15^th day, and at the end of the study to measure levels of malondialdehyde, a marker for oxidative stress.
• The results of the study showed that malondialdehyde levels consistently decreased during astaxanthin consumption.
• Based on the analysis of RSSC samples, astaxanthin intake also significantly reduced levels of corneocyte desquamation and microbial presence.
• All changes in RSSC are associated with the characteristics of younger skin. These changes were more strongly manifested in obese participants.

In conclusion, the findings of the study suggest that regular astaxanthin intake exhibits a strong antioxidant effect that leads to facial skin rejuvenation, which is especially seen in obese individuals.

To read more studies on natural ways to keep your skin young and healthy, visit AntiAgingScience.news.

Journal Reference:

Chalyk NE, Klochkov VA, Bandaletova TY, Kyle NH, Petyaev IM. CONTINUOUS ASTAXANTHIN INTAKE REDUCES OXIDATIVE STRESS AND REVERSES AGE-RELATED MORPHOLOGICAL CHANGES OF RESIDUAL SKIN SURFACE COMPONENTS IN MIDDLE-AGED VOLUNTEERS. Nutrition Research. December 2017;48:40-48. DOI: 10.1016/j.nutres.2017.10.006