The concept of living longer has intrigued mankind since ancient times, but the "fountain of youth' has been elusive.
Scientists at the University of Hawaii's John A. Burns School of Medicine, together with the life sciences company Cardax, collaborated in a study aimed at evaluating a naturally occurring nutrient with anti-aging properties.
FOXO3 is a gene that's been proven to improve longevity and the astaxanthin compound CDX-085 was found to have an important influence on that gene.
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Dr. Bradley Willcox, director of research at the Department of Geriatric Medicine for the Kuakini Honolulu Heart Program and Richard Allsopp, Ph.D., associate professor and researcher with the Institute of Biogenesis Research, were the main researchers of this study.
The 'Longevity Gene' and How It's Activated:According to Dr. Willcox, everyone has the FOXO3 gene, which is associated with aging, but 1 in 3 individuals possesses a version of the gene associated that is associated with longevity.
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The FOXO3 gene however is possessed by us all and it can be turned on to behave like the "longevity" variation of the gene.
The bottom line is that the supplement astaxanthin was found to be the key factor to activate this longevity gene.
Researchers had previously found that astaxanthin lowers inflammation, triglycerides, heart and liver damage and the risk of a stroke. Astaxanthin also supports immune function, protects against DNA damage and improves brain function. Muscle fatigue is lessened and mitochondrial activity is also enhanced.
This powerful antioxidant also appears to protect the mitochondria from damage, by scavenging free radicals before they can damage the mitochondria. The result is improved metabolic function and energy production for every cell, which is essential for healthy cellular function, as well as for life.
Some scientists believe astaxanthin is the most powerful antioxidant that is found in nature.
How to Get More Astaxanthin in Your Diet:While many antioxidants can be obtained by eating plenty of fresh, organic fruits and vegetables, natural astaxanthin is derived only by the microalgae called Haematococcus pluvialis.
The good news is that you don't have to eat this microalgae to get astaxanthin. You can eat the sea creatures that eat the microalgae, such as salmon and krill. The best sources are wild-caught Alaskan salmon and krill oil supplements.
Farmed salmon are fed synthetic astaxanthin to give their flesh a pink/salmon color, instead of a gray flesh, which is less than appetizing. However, synthetic astaxanthin is made from petrochemicals, so it is better to stick to the real thing.
Over 1,000 peer-reviewed publications are available on astaxanthin and more than several hundred have been published within in just the last three years.
Astaxanthin dosage recommendations vary between taking about 4 - 12 milligrams per day.
If you are taking a supplement, it is easy to know how much astaxanthin you are consuming. If you are eating seafood to get your astaxanthin, it is a little trickier. For example; wild Alaskan sockeye salmon contains a whopping 3.2 milligrams in a 3 ounce serving, but wild Coho salmon contains about 1.8 milligrams in a 3 ounce serving, while wild pink salmon only contains 0.6 milligrams in a 3 ounce serving.