Astaxanthin Benefits Eye Health in Human Study

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A human study finds that astaxanthin may support eye health by increasing choroidal circulation.

A human study has concluded that supplementation of astaxanthin (Haematococcus pluvialis) may support eye health by increasing choroidal circulation.

The choroid is a layer of blood vessels that removes waste from and provides nutrients to the outer portion of the retina. Healthy choroidal circulation has been linked to decreased incidence of AMD.

Researchers from Hokkaido University and Fuji Chemical Industry (Toyama, Japan), a supplier of natural astaxanthin, assigned 20 healthy adults to two daily capsules of 6 mg of astaxanthin (12 mg daily) or placebo for four weeks.  Before and after supplementation, researchers used Laser Speckle Flowgraphy and Square Blur Rate as tools to measure changes in blood flow distribution and velocity in the eyes.

At four weeks, the researchers determined that astaxanthin increased blood flow velocity without any adverse health effects, including abnormal changes in blood pressure or heart rate. Placebo supplementation produced no significant changes throughout the course of the study.

While acknowledging that the study provides only preliminary insight on astaxanthin and this critical eye function, numerous historical trials support astaxanthin as a beneficial nutrient for microcirculation.

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