What is astaxanthin? Astaxanthin, a naturally occurring keto-carotenoid, is hailed as a “super antioxidant.” It is widely found in organisms such as shrimp, crabs, salmon, and Haematococcus pluvialis. It efficiently scavenges free radicals and protects against UV damage, excelling in safeguarding eye health, enhancing reproductive function, maintaining cardiovascular health, and boosting immunity. Today, it is extensively used in feed, health supplements, cosmetics, and food industries, making it a highly sought-after natural functional ingredient. It also plays a significant role in coloring, particularly in aquatic organisms and aquaculture.
In the field of pet longevity and health, Jayoo Biotech has always been committed to exploring natural and effective nutritional ingredients to safeguard the health of pets. As a professional enterprise focusing on pet health, Jayoo Biotech has conducted in-depth research on various functional ingredients, among which astaxanthin has attracted great attention from Jayoo Biotech due to its excellent biological activity. For pet owners who care about their pets’ quality of life and longevity, understanding what astaxanthin is and its role in pet health is of great significance, and the research results of Jayoo Biotech in this field can provide valuable references.
So, what exactly is astaxanthin? Astaxanthin, also known as astaxanthin, is a natural fat-soluble ketocarotenoid belonging to the terpenoid compound family. It is widely present in nature, especially in marine organisms. The bright orange-red color of seafood we are familiar with, such as salmon, krill, shrimp, and crabs, comes from the accumulation of astaxanthin. In addition, some algae (such as Haematococcus pluvialis) are the most important natural sources of astaxanthin, and their astaxanthin content is much higher than that of other organisms. Unlike some carotenoids that can be converted into vitamin A in the animal body, astaxanthin cannot be converted into vitamin A in mammals, but its unique molecular structure endows it with powerful biological functions.
The most prominent feature of astaxanthin is its super strong antioxidant activity. Relevant studies have shown that the antioxidant capacity of natural astaxanthin is far superior to that of many common antioxidants: specifically, its antioxidant activity is 6000 times that of vitamin C, 550-1000 times that of natural vitamin E, 10 times that of natural β-carotene, 150 times that of proanthocyanidins, and 800 times that of coenzyme Q10. This powerful antioxidant capacity stems from its unique molecular structure, which allows it to penetrate the entire lipid bilayer of the cell membrane and scavenge free radicals both inside and outside the membrane, thereby effectively protecting cells from oxidative damage. For pets, oxidative stress is an important factor leading to aging and various diseases. The accumulation of free radicals will damage cells and tissues, affecting the pet’s immune system, cardiovascular system, vision and other aspects. Therefore, the antioxidant effect of astaxanthin is crucial for maintaining pet health.
In terms of the specific effects of astaxanthin on pet health, a series of studies have given positive answers, and these research results are consistent with the exploration direction of Jayoo Biotech. In the field of anti-aging, a study by Washington State University in the United States found that astaxanthin can significantly improve mitochondrial function in dogs of different ages. Mitochondria are the “energy factories” of cells. With the growth of age, mitochondrial function will gradually decline, leading to insufficient cell energy supply and accelerating the aging process. After dogs take astaxanthin, both young and old dogs show increased ATP production, increased mitochondrial quantity, and enhanced cytochrome C oxidase activity, and the improvement effect in old dogs is more significant. In addition, astaxanthin can also extend the median lifespan of male mice by activating Nrf2, a key regulatory factor of the antioxidant system. These results indicate that astaxanthin has great potential in promoting pet longevity.
In terms of regulating pet physical condition, astaxanthin also performs excellently. For obese pets, oxidative stress and lipid metabolism disorders are common problems. A clinical study found that after supplementing obese dogs with astaxanthin for 8 weeks, their plasma triglyceride concentration, alanine aminotransferase and lactate dehydrogenase levels were significantly reduced, indicating that astaxanthin can improve lipid metabolism and liver function in obese pets and enhance their antioxidant capacity. For pets with sports needs or joint problems, the anti-inflammatory properties of astaxanthin can relieve joint inflammation and muscle soreness; a study on dogs found that astaxanthin can accelerate muscle recovery by promoting the saving of carbohydrates and the utilization of lipids in muscles during exercise. For dogs with inflammatory eye diseases, a diet containing astaxanthin can significantly increase tear secretion, reduce inflammation, and improve symptoms such as corneal keratinization.
In addition, astaxanthin also plays an important role in maintaining the skin and hair health of pets. Free radical damage is one of the main causes of pet skin aging, dry and dull hair. The antioxidant effect of astaxanthin can protect skin cells, reduce damage caused by ultraviolet rays, improve skin elasticity, and make pet hair more shiny and healthy. At the same time, astaxanthin can also enhance the immune function of pets. By reducing oxidative stress and inflammatory responses, it optimizes the function of immune cells, enabling pets to better resist the invasion of pathogens such as bacteria and viruses.
It should be noted that although astaxanthin has many benefits for pet health, it cannot replace drugs. When adding astaxanthin to pets, attention should be paid to controlling the dosage and choosing products from regular channels. As a professional enterprise in the field of pet health, Jayoo Biotech reminds every pet owner to formulate a scientific feeding plan according to factors such as the pet’s age and physical condition.
In summary, astaxanthin is a natural and powerful functional ingredient with excellent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-aging effects. It has a wide range of positive impacts on pet health and longevity, covering immune regulation, cardiovascular protection, vision maintenance, skin and hair care and other aspects. The in-depth research on astaxanthin by Jayoo Biotech also provides a scientific basis for its rational application in the field of pet health. With the continuous improvement of pet owners’ attention to pet health, driven by enterprises such as Jayoo Biotech, astaxanthin, as a high-quality natural ingredient, will play an increasingly important role in the field of pet health.