In the fight against cancer, among the most effective allies are antioxidants. Antioxidants are what help fend off cancer-causing free radicals and it is a good thing to have sufficient amounts of these in your body regularly. This is where astaxanthin shines brightly as it is believed by experts to be the most potent antioxidant in the planet. The health benefits of astaxanthin are quite a lot, especially considering that it outmatches other vitamins and antioxidants in terms of potency.

Astaxanthin is classified as a carotenoid which is naturally-occuring in many sea creatures such as salmon, crab, shrimp, and lobster. It is this pigment that gives the aforementioned creatures their distinct flesh pink color. The muscle fibers of salmon have the highest concentration of this carotenoid. It is believed by experts that it is through the high concentration of astaxanthin that allows salmon to have the endurance to swim upstream in long distances. Even the famous Dr. Oz has featured the wonderful health benefits of astaxanthin in his TV show.

A great deal of the health benefits of astaxanthin is concentrated on its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. According to a research done on athletes, taking astaxanthin supplements helps to significantly reduce the recovery time from doing strenuous exercises. In addition, their muscle performance and endurance have also increased much like in the case of salmon. Inflammations such as arthritis, joint pain, tennis elbow, and carpal tunnel syndrome can be relieved with this antioxidant.

Eye health can also be improved with the help of astaxanthin by improving visual acuity. Based on clinical trials conducted by Japanese scientists, this antioxidant can help prevent eye strain and reduce bleary-eyed feeling. When compared to other vitamins, it is 6,000 times more potent than Vitamin C and 550 times more potent than Vitamin E. People who live an unhealthy lifestyle such as smokers and those who are overweight and obese can get also benefit from its antioxidant protection.

Protecting the cardiovascular health is also among the health benefits of astaxanthin. Cholesterol comes in two types: the good and the bad. The bad cholesterol is known as LDL cholesterol and is responsible for causing the clogging of arteries. Astaxanthin helps prevent the buildup of bad cholesterol in the arteries, thereby helping to prevent many cardiovascular diseases. People who want to take care of their skin will be happy to know that this antioxidant can also help reduce pimples, freckles and other blemishes.

With sufficient astaxanthin in your system, you can be protected against the harmful UV rays of the sun. Studies have been done on surfers and it reveals that those taking supplements have less sunburn in their skin. Therefore it is like having a natural sunblock from within you. Slowing down a person's aging process is also possible with help of antioxidants such as astaxanthin and helps you to be several years younger while also moisturizing your skin, reducing wrinkles, and getting back its radiant glow.

Other health benefits of astaxanthin also include a stronger immune system through the strengthening of antibodies, stabilizing of blood pressure, enhancement of reproductive health, and prevention of gum disease. Having adequate supply of antioxidants in the body can also help to prevent degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. Cancer cells will have a very hard time taking over your body with the help of regular astaxanthin supplementation.

If you want to get your hands on the health benefits of astaxanthin, you should make it a habit to eat salmon regularly. Be aware though that you should look for the Wild Pacific salmon or the Sockeye salmon for higher levels of astaxanthin. Despite this, salmon alone just won't provide the minimum of 4mg dosage for this antioxidant. This is the reason why health enthusiasts turn to supplements to meet the recommended daily allowance.