Oxidative stress in the brain is responsible for many neurodegenerative disorders.

Multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease all fall under this category.

But chances are that astaxanthin may have protective effects (for the mitochondria and nerve cells) that will help slow down the development of symptoms.

A study conducted by Dr Parviz Gharagozloo and his colleagues at the University of Newcastle’s Priority Research Centre in Reproductive Science in Australia, found a strong correlation between sperm oxidative stress and male infertility.

As a result, fertility experts and scientists have been actively studying ways to treat sperm oxidative stress, and thereby, curing male infertility using antioxidants.

So it appears that astaxanthin may be exactly what the doctor ordered for men wanting to be fathers!

Menopausal women may suffer from symptoms like anxiety, stress, hot flushes and depression.

According to early research conducted by scientists, a combination supplement containing astaxanthin may help reduce these symptoms.

The symptoms associated with stress and oxidative stress are often climacteric symptoms like hot flushes.

ALSO READ: Tips on managing menopause symptoms

Many of the blood vessels supplying the brain can be damaged during a stroke.

This usually results in the brain cells dying because oxygen and nutrients can’t get to them.

Astaxanthin can play a key role in reducing brain damage from stroke.

It can do this by stimulating blood flow, reducing blood pressure, relaxing blood vessels and ameliorating oxidative stress.

This theory has been tested and proven in mice during laboratory trials.

ALSO READ: Three tips to prevent a stroke from a doctor who had one

According to a comprehensive study conducted in 2012, combining oral and topical astaxanthin can reduce age spots, smooth wrinkles and help restore skin moisture.

The best part is that both females and males benefited from these anti-ageing and skin promotion effects.

The findings of these studies are not conclusive, however, and more research is required to confirm the association between astaxanthin use and improved skin health.

Heavy exercise and workouts often cause an accumulation of the stress hormone cortisol, as well as an increase in free radical production.

You are guaranteed to suffer from oxidative stress that can result in fatigue and sore muscles after the workout.

Astaxanthin has been the subject of numerous studies on its potential to boost endurance, boost physical stamina and reduce fatigue levels during and after intensive exercise.

The preliminary results so far have been promising.

Untreated hypertension (high blood pressure) increases the risk of heart disease and stroke.

Astaxanthin has shown great potential in preventing and reducing high blood pressure, as well as ameliorating its associated effects.

High cholesterol in the blood can clog your arteries up, which then leads to a build-up in the blood pressure.

Astaxanthin as an antioxidant helps reduce bad cholesterol, and therefore prevent hypertension.

ALSO READ: Evening exercise has best effect for high blood pressure patients

A diabetic condition arises from damaged, inflamed or malfunctioning beta cells in the pancreas.

This leads to little or no insulin production, resulting in high blood sugar levels.

A high blood sugar level causes high oxidative stress, which in turn, results in the death of more pancreatic beta cells.

Astaxanthin’s antioxidant properties can help protect pancreatic beta cells by reducing oxidative stress and sugar toxicity in the blood.

In one milestone study published in 2002, scientists found that astaxanthin reduced glucose toxicity in diabetic mice, therefore protecting their pancreatic beta cells.

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Cholesterol is produced naturally by the liver and transported via the blood to be used to make cell membranes, vitamin D and certain hormones.

But when there is too much cholesterol in the blood, it sticks to the walls of the blood vessels.

One study suggests that taking between 6mg and 18mg of astaxanthin every day for 84 days reduces the blood levels of lipids often associated with high LDL (low-density lipoproteins) levels in individuals with high cholesterol.

The study also indicated that astaxanthin may help to increase the levels of good cholesterol.

The oxidative stress in the gut often creates a conducive environment for the bacteria Helicobacter pylori to flourish, resulting in stomach ulcers that come back repeatedly until the oxidative stress is addressed.

You can use astaxanthin orally to prevent H. pylori for good.

This helps prevent ulcers from forming in your intestines by protecting their wall lining.

Datuk Dr Nor Ashikin Mokhtar is a consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist, and a functional medicine practitioner. For further information, email starhealth@thestar.com.my. The information provided is for educational and communication purposes only, and it should not be construed as personal medical advice. Information published in this article is not intended to replace, supplant or augment a consultation with a health professional regarding the reader’s own medical care. The Star does not give any warranty on accuracy, completeness, functionality, usefulness or other assurances as to the content appearing in this column. The Star disclaims all responsibility for any losses, damage to property or personal injury suffered directly or indirectly from reliance on such information.

Source: https://www.optixanthin.com/blogs/news/the-star-paper-virgin-coconut-oil-appears-to-help-fight-covid-19