Gut Health

Gut Health Benefits of Astaxanthin

• Provides antioxidant support
• Supports a healthy inflammation response
• Promotes healthy mucosal immunity
• May provide support for friendly gut bacteria

Understanding Gut Health

Mucous membranes secrete saliva in the mouth, and mucous in the gut and lungs, helping to trap debris and pathogens. Mucous membranes also secrete factors involved in innate and acquired immune defense. As much as 80% of the body’s antibody production takes place in the gut, serving as a defense against harmful microbiota and food antigens. Immunoglobulin A (IgA) accounts for most of the antibody production in the gut. To illustrate the importance of IgA in defense against pathogens, note that the total daily production of IgA (66mg/kg body weight) surpasses that of all other immunoglobulins combined.

The two principle antibody classes present in saliva are secretory IgA (SIgA) and IgG, with the IgA to IgG ratio in saliva being 500x greater than that found in serum. SIgA binds to opportunistic pathogens, including bacteria and viruses, and blocks them from accessing and entering the epithelial cells lining the inside of the mouth. This process is called “immune exclusion,” and SIgA levels are affected differently by age, physical activity level, as well as stress intensity and duration. Under certain adverse conditions, such as during chronic stress, SIgA levels may drop and increase susceptibility to inhaled and ingested pathogens.

Astaxanthin to the Rescue

AstaReal® Astaxanthin supports mucosal immunity, which functions as a first line of defense against inhaled and ingested pathogens. AstaReal® Astaxanthin supported immunity even when salivary antibody (sIgA) levels were challenged by adverse conditions such as mental exercise, mild physical stress, or athletic training regimen.

The benefits of AstaReal extend from oral immune exclusion through to the gut where natural astaxanthin helps support a healthy microbiome. In pre-clinical studies astaxanthin increase levels of the good gut bacteria called Akkermansia muciniphila. Finally, AstaReal’s antioxidant properties and ability to promote a health inflammation response helps to support immune function and overall wellness throughout the body.

Study Highlight

The response of 39 healthy subjects (average 48 years old) to moderate fatiguing physical and mental challenge was studied in a group given 12mg AstaReal® Astaxanthin and 20mg tocotrienol for 8 weeks or placebo. Subjects in this study did a mental calculation task and a session on a stationary bike. This mental and physical load caused a significant decrease in salivary antibody (sIgA) levels in the placebo group after 8 weeks while the AstaReal® group maintained consistent SIgA levels throughout the study.¹

SIgA levels were also examined in elite soccer players whose training makes them more resilient against stress-induced drops in SIgA. A single bout of exercise in soccer players may even increased SIgA output, while consecutive bouts of exercise training do not reduce SIgA. In a younger, well-trained group of 40 male elite soccer players (average 18 years old), taking 4mg/day AstaReal® Astaxanthin for 90 days led to a significant increase of SIgA absolute concentration in saliva, and an increase in SIgA secretion rate compared to baseline. In contrast, there were no significant changes in SIgA concentration or secretion rate in the placebo group.²

AstaReal® Astaxanthin has been shown to support SIgA levels in response to varying levels of physical and mental stress. In addition to stress as a mediator of SIgA production, older individuals have reduced SIgA secretion rates compared to their younger counterparts.

Study Highlight

The gut bacteria Akkermansia muciniphila makes up 3-5% of gut microbiome in healthy individuals, where it produces nutrients that feed intestinal cells responsible for producing the intestinal mucus layer. This mucus layer helps to maintain healthy intestinal barrier function, control gut permeability, and control low grade inflammation in the gut.

AstaReal® Astaxanthin increased Akkermansia in intestinal flora nearly 12 times compared to control after 4 weeks in a pre-clinical study. Future studies may provide more information on how AstaReal® Astaxanthin ma help modulate intestinal flora to promote gut health.

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