Astaxanthin and Brain Health

Astaxanthin appears to help maintain ‘working memory'

Unlike beta-carotene, astaxanthin is able to cross the blood-brain barrier. Once there, it appears to provide some significant brain health benefits.

In one clinical trial to assess astaxanthin’s effect on the brain, ten older adults with age-related forgetfulness took 12mg of astaxanthin daily for three months.¹ By the end of the study, there was clear evidence that those taking astaxanthin had better “working memory.” Working memory is the short-term memory that is used, for example, to remember a phone number or license plate for a few minutes. Astaxanthin also improved thinking in other ways, such as processing information and attention.

A 2011 study published in the British Journal of Nutrition² found that astaxanthin may “contribute to the prevention of dementia.” Participants in the trial took astaxanthin supplements for 12 weeks (a relatively short time), and the researchers noted a significant reduction in the levels of compounds (phospholipid hydroperoxides) that are known to accumulate abnormally in the red blood cells of people with dementia.

References:

1. Satoh A, et al. Preliminary clinical evaluation of toxicity and efficacy of a new astaxanthin-rich Haematococcus pluvialis extract. J Clin Biochem 2009;44:280-4.
2. K. Nakagawa, et al; “Antioxidant effect of astaxanthin on phospholipid peroxidation in human erythrocytes;” British Journal of Nutrition; Published online ahead of print, doi: 10.1017/S0007114510005398