In specific functionalities, enhancing immunity, delaying aging, promoting brain and emotional health, maintaining bone and joint health, cardiovascular health, oral beauty, sports nutrition, eye care, and other health issues consistently rank high in various surveys and are concerns for consumers. There is a miraculous ingredient that has been proven to be effective in these areas and has become a hot commodity in the market – astaxanthin.
Current Market Situation of Astaxanthin
According to Grand View Research data, the global market size of astaxanthin was $13.7124 billion in 2020. It is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 16.8% from 2021 to 2028. This growth is primarily driven by the increasing demand in the dietary supplement industry and the growing awareness of the health benefits of this ingredient. Natural astaxanthin, in particular, is growing at a faster rate, with an estimated CAGR of 19.3% during the forecast period.
Compared to synthetic sources, the widespread availability of naturally sourced astaxanthin, increasing consumer demand for natural food supplements, and higher bioavailability are key factors driving the growth of this market segment. Currently, major astaxanthin manufacturers widely use Haematococcus pluvialis as an extraction source, with astaxanthin content ranging from 1.5% to 3.0%, ensuring higher safety. Other natural sources include yeast and krill.
In the past, natural astaxanthin mainly claimed “antioxidant and immune-boosting” properties, but its role in emerging fields (cognitive enhancement, heart and muscle protection, vision care, sports nutrition) is becoming evident. Market data from Innova Market Insights shows that, from April 2014 to 2019, the region with the highest number of astaxanthin product launches for the anti-aging market was North America (46%), followed by Europe (26%), Asia-Pacific (24%), and South America (2%), with a compound annual growth rate of 18%. For the Asia-Pacific region, the focus is on heart health, skin health, joint health, eye protection, and overall well-being.
Comprehensive Functions and Applications of Astaxanthin
Boosting Immunity
Astaxanthin possesses strong antioxidant properties, exhibiting anti-inflammatory effects and organ protection. Additionally, it may play a role in regulating immunity by protecting immune cells, increasing their quantity, promoting the production of immunoglobulins, or the secretion of cytokines, and inhibiting cytokine storms or inflammation caused by an excessive immune response.
Nutrex Hawaii Astaxanthin Softgels, sourced from BioAstin Hawaiian farm using natural sunlight, lava-filtered water, and solar energy, help enhance immunity and protect vision and joint health.
Brain and Emotional Health
In recent years, research on astaxanthin has focused on brain health. Astaxanthin’s contribution to brain health is attributed to its ability to cross the blood-brain barrier, increase brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels in the brain, and reduce oxidative damage to DNA, lipids, and proteins, thereby slowing down brain aging.
Randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled studies show that supplementing with natural astaxanthin (12mg daily for three months) can improve memory, mental agility, and multitasking abilities in elderly individuals with memory issues. Further studies indicate that astaxanthin can reduce mental fatigue in healthy males aged 20-64 and improve their cognitive abilities. Another study in 2019 revealed significant improvements in psychological well-being after eight weeks of supplementing with natural astaxanthin in a healthy population.
Physician Formulated Vegan Cognitive Supplement, containing microalgae-derived DHA/DPA, Omega-3, and astaxanthin, contributes to brain health.
Bone and Joint Health
Astaxanthin has been proven to reduce the production of reactive oxygen species in wasted muscles, improve skeletal muscle fibrosis caused by ankle joint fixation, and have a certain effect on oxidative damage to cartilage cells in osteoarthritis, alleviating joint discomfort to some extent.
A study on 60 patients with knee osteoarthritis divided them into a treatment group (30 cases) and a control group (30 cases). The treatment group received astaxanthin capsules, while the control group received fenbid treatment. The results showed a shorter duration of pain relief in the treatment group, and both groups showed improved joint function after treatment, with better results in the treatment group, indicating the role of astaxanthin in relieving and improving bone-joint pain.
Waist Support EX is a functional food specifically designed for lower back pain, containing astaxanthin and piperine from black pepper.
Cardiovascular Health
Natural astaxanthin has antioxidant properties and reduces asymptomatic inflammation, both beneficial for cardiovascular health. Additionally, it helps improve lipid profiles by lowering low-density lipoprotein (LDL or “bad” cholesterol) and triglycerides while increasing high-density lipoprotein (HDL or “good” cholesterol), aiding in preventing and improving atherosclerosis.
Research Labs Triple Strength Natural Astaxanthin Softgels, using natural astaxanthin from Haematococcus pluvialis, including astaxanthin, organic virgin coconut oil, and natural tocopherols, contribute to maintaining cardiovascular health.
Eye Care
As a carotenoid, astaxanthin, like lutein and zeaxanthin, has strong protective effects on vision. Studies using Astaking Astaxanthin found that it easily crosses the blood-brain barrier and cell membranes, effectively preventing oxidation of the retina and damage to photoreceptor cells. It also improves focusing ability, enhances blood circulation in the eyes, and facilitates the transport of nutrients to the ciliary body and retina, thus alleviating visual fatigue.
Life Extension Macuguard Eye Capsules, containing anthocyanins from Haematococcus pluvialis, black currant extract, saffron extract, carotenoids, lutein, zeaxanthin, and corn zeaxanthin, among other natural eye-care ingredients.
POWER OF ASTAXANTHIN: ANTI-AGING, WHITENING, AND SPORTS NUTRITION BENEFITS >>>
References:
- Immunomodulatory Mechanisms of Astaxanthin and Its Potential Applications in Antiviral Defense, doi: 10.3969/j.issn.2095-1736.2021.02.003
- Tominaga K, Hongo N, Karato M, et al. Cosmetic Benefits of Astaxanthin on Human Subjects [J]. Acta Biochim Pol, 2012, 59(1):43-47.
