Salmon Compound Shows Benefits for the Obese

Salmon Compound (Astaxanthin) Demonstrates Benefits For Obesity

Helps Boost Antioxidant Defense System
For Supporting Cardiovascular Health

Daily supplements containing astaxanthin, the natural compound present in salmon that gives its pink color, may boost the body's antioxidants defenses in obese people, reports a new study from South Korea.

Astaxanthin from Salmon May Reduce

Oxidative Stress in Overweight / Obese People

Researchers from Seoul National University report that daily doses of 5 or 20 milligrams of astaxanthin for three weeks were associated with beneficial increases in levels of the body's own antioxidant defenses, as well as decreases in levels of oxidative stress.

"Although the data show that astaxanthin is protective against obesity-induced oxidative stress, a longer term study with a larger sample size should be conducted to establish whether astaxanthin supplementation can consistently and permanently reduce oxidative stress levels," wrote the researchers in Phytotherapy Research.

"Also, this intervention should be performed to provide additional data with regard to the effect of astaxanthin in an additional group of subjects with oxidative-stress-related disease, such as metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular disease and diabetes."

The known nutritional benefits of Astaxanthin are eye and skin health and it has also been linked to joint health and central nervous system health. Its powerful antioxidant properties are said to be 500 times that of vitamin E.  Most astaxanthin is derived from the sea algae known as "Haematococcus pluvialis" which is commonly consumed by fish and crustaceans and is responsible for their healthy
pink coloration.

Study Details...

The researchers recruited 23 overweight people in their twenties to participate in their prospective, randomized, double-blind study. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either 5 or 20 milligrams per day of astaxanthin (supplied by Marine Product Tech. Inc.of South Korea)
for three weeks.

At the end of the study, results showed a decrease in levels of malondialdehyde (MDA - a reactive carbonyl compound and an established marker of oxidative stress) of about 35 percent in both dosage groups, compared to levels at the start of the study. In addition, isoprostane levels (another oxidative stress marker) were reduced after supplementation, by about 65 percent in both groups.

The researchers also observed an increase in levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), an antioxidant enzyme, of 193 percent, as well as an increased of about 123 percent in the total antioxidant capacity of the blood.

"The plasma concentration of astaxanthin in the 20 mg group was significantly higher than that in the 5 mg group over 3 weeks," said the researchers. "However, none of the bio-markers were significantly different between the two groups during the 3 week intervention. This indicates that the plasma concentration and the clinical effect of astaxanthin are not necessarily proportional. Therefore, the recommended daily dose of astaxanthin is 5 mg, to reduce the elevated oxidative stress in overweight and obese individuals."

Source: Phytotherapy Research (Published online)
"Effects of Astaxanthin on Oxidative Stress in Overweight and Obese Adults"

This article is for informational and educational purposes only, and is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Consult with your doctor or healthcare professional for medical and nutrition advice.