We’ve all seen
wrinkled old ladies in hot countries who aren’t really
ninety but look it. Sunlight is one of the hazards that
can age us before our time. So if we want to look younger
than
we actually are we need to understand the factors that
age us and how to eliminate them.
We are constantly under attack from free radicals, dangerous
compounds responsible for ageing and many disease states.
Free radicals are also called ‘oxidants’,
because oxygen plays a pivotal role in this process. Although the body makes
its own free radicals, which it uses as part of its defence mechanism, we are
also exposed to uncontrolled free radicals that create havoc and damage in cells
and tissues. This unwanted supply of oxidants is primarily created by too much
sun, a westernised diet and pollution. Even exercise, which involves a greater
use of oxygen, increases our exposure to free radical damage. ‘Anti-oxidants’,
then, are important biochemical's that can counteract the free radicals damage
and protect the body from premature ageing and disease.
One of the most exciting natural antioxidants to be discovered and researched
in recent years is called Astaxanthin (pronounced asta-zan-thin). Astaxanthin
is responsible for the pink colouring of salmon, shrimp and bright red or pink
birds. What is most interesting is that astaxanthin appears to be enormously
potent - recent research suggests that it could be up to 550 times more powerful
than vitamin E.
Astaxanthin comes from Haematococcus pluvialis, an alga found in the ocean, where
it is eaten by shellfish, salmon and other reddish pink fish, for which it provides
antioxidant protection. Haematococcus is also present in freshwater sources on
land, particularly in birdbaths. When the alga is active it is actually green,
but when resting it produces a higher level of astaxanthin and turns red, presumably
to protect itself from damaging UV light.
Research is already showing a wide range of applications for Astaxanthin, many
of which have been developed after observing its use in nature. For example,
shore birds, such as kingfishers, have |
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larger amounts of
astaxanthin in their eyes than land birds - presumably because,
like humans, these birds need more protection from the glare
of the sun. Studies with farm animals have revealed other
benefits. When added to poultry feeds, astaxanthin improves
egg production and the general health of hens. And vets have
discovered that astaxanthin helps relieve Tying Up, a chronic
muscular problem in horses after excess exercise.
Fortunately astaxanthin’s benefits are not restricted
to animals. Already, human research is showing that it
protects against premature ageing, macular
degeneration, joint and muscle pain, inflammation, digestive ulcers, heart
and circulatory diseases, infertility and degenerative
diseases.
Although this exciting new antioxidant has many health
applications, they could be summed up under one concept – the
prevention of premature ageing, since all the symptoms
and diseases it addresses have ageing and damaging effects
on
the body. And it is here that Astaxanthin comes into its own, because it not
only protects the body from the inside, it preserves the skin from ageing and
wrinkling as well.
That apparently ancient lady in a hot country who looked far older than she was,
had developed those wrinkles because of her exposure to the sun. Had she been
eating enough salmon or pink fish she might have appeared far younger! Research
has now established that astaxanthin gives remarkable protection from ultraviolet
light, the principle agent of skin ageing.
A trial of 21 healthy volunteers, aged between 18 and 60 years, with fair to
average skin tones, tested how well astaxanthin protected against ultraviolet
light. Initially a base-line exposure was found that produced minimal skin reddening.
The volunteers then consumed astaxanthin for two weeks and their sensitivity
to ultraviolet light was retested. There was a significant increase in the amount
of light needed to create skin reddening, showing that astaxanthin has a protective
role in guarding against sun, sunburn and premature ageing |
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AgeLess