Ever gone out for that first big day in the sun when it finally warms up – and end up with a scorching sunburn?  

Caution is in order. You don’t want to burn your skin because that’s where sun damage enters the picture.  

While you can use sunscreen, take care to use one without damaging ingredients like oxybenzone, vitamin A (retinyl palmitate), and added insect repellent… so you don’t cause collateral damage to your skin in the name of protecting it.  

However, there’s a “secret substance” shown in a small study to protect against UV skin damage, which could reduce your dependence on sunscreen if you choose.  

Yet hardly anyone has ever heard of it.  

Best of all, it can help save your skin even if you forget to take your sunscreen with you.  

But now is the time to get started using it for this spring/summer season.  

Internally Protects Against Sunburn  

In the study, 23 healthy Japanese participants participated in a 10-week double-blind placebo-controlled study. They were assigned to either receive 4 mg of astaxanthin or a placebo. 

The study analyzed MED – which is Minimal Erythemal Dose and is defined as the threshold dose that produces sunburn.  

The astaxanthin group showed improved (longer) MED compared to placebo. In addition, the astaxanthin group had less loss of skin moisture in sun-exposed areas compared with placebo.  

Researchers concluded that astaxanthin seems to protect against UV-induced skin deterioration and helps maintain healthy skin in healthy people.  

Study participants were excluded if they took meds that affect light sensitivity of skin, or who regularly ate functional foods with similar effects as astaxanthin, or if they frequently ingested foods that affect skin color.  

The study showed a 10-week benefit so get started today.  

Ready to find out some of its other health benefits? 

What Is Astaxanthin, Anyway? 

Astaxanthin is a red carotenoid found in shrimp, salmon, crab, and certain algae.  

Astaxanthin exerts strong antioxidant activity by scavenging free radicals. Its scavenging effect for singlet oxygen is approximately 1,000 times higher than that of CO-Q10.  

Astounding Health Benefits 

Astaxanthin crosses the blood-brain barrier and has been evaluated for a wide variety of human health issues including heart health, metabolism, exercise performance, cognitive function, and sleep.  

Astaxanthin and Cardiovascular Benefits 

Several studies have shown cardiovascular benefits, including these three studies.  

1. 2011 study published in the journal Atherosclerosis – Researchers found it reduced oxidative stress and blood vessel inflammation in rats with high blood pressure.  

2. 2015 study published in the journal Nutrients – astaxanthin supplementation improved arterial stiffness and blood pressure in middle-aged and older adults with high blood pressure.  

3. 2012 study published in the Journal of Clinical Biochemistry and Nutrition – astaxanthin supplementation improved blood lipid profiles and reduced oxidative stress in healthy volunteers.

Eye health 

Astaxanthin may help reduce the risk of age-related macular degeneration, a common cause of blindness in older adults.  

In addition, studies have shown that astaxanthin improves visual acuity and reduces eye fatigue, and eye strain in computer users.

Astaxanthin and Exercise Performance 

Studies indicate that astaxanthin may improve endurance and reduce muscle damage and exercise fatigue. This could benefit athletes and others who are trying to stay fit and in their game. Astaxanthin could get you back in the game faster after muscle soreness.  

One study found that astaxanthin improved cycling time in trained cyclists by reducing muscle damage and inflammation.

Another study found similar for male soccer players. And a third study found improved anaerobic power and muscular strength in young healthy men, suggesting it may improve exercise performance by reducing muscle damage and oxidative stress.  

Astaxanthin and Cognition 

A study published in the journal Marine Drugs in 2018 found that astaxanthin supplementation for 12 weeks resulted in significant improvements in cognitive function in healthy elderly individuals… especially in working memory and processing speed.  

Another study, this one published in the Journal of Clinical Biochemistry and Nutrition in 2016, found that 12 weeks of astaxanthin supplementation improved cognitive function, especially in attention and spatial awareness in middle-aged and older adults. It also improved sleep quality.  

A 2015 study published in the journal Nutrients examined astaxanthin’s effects in the cognition of young adults. Supplementation for just six weeks resulted in improvements in reaction time and visual processing.  

Astaxanthin and Sleep Quality 

There’s limited research on astaxanthin and sleep, but some studies show it may promote better sleep.  

A 2017 study published in the journal Biomedical Research looked at the effects of astaxanthin on stress-induced sleep disturbance in mice. The study found that astaxanthin supplementation improved sleep quality and reduced stress-related behaviors. 

Finally, a 2018 study published in the Journal of Dietary Supplements examined the effects of astaxanthin on oxidative stress and inflammation, which could indirectly improve sleep quality.  

Four weeks of astaxanthin reduced both oxidative stress and inflammation. 

While these benefits all sound very promising, scientists say (as they always do) that more study is needed to confirm these findings.

Episode #59 – Do You Follow This Healthy Cooking Trick?

It matters not what the food item is, according to our podcast guest, Keith Bishop, former pharmacist and clinical nutritionist for decades. Violate this rule, and you could be unwittingly setting yourself up for cancer or Alzheimer’s. 

So whatever you’re preparing – meat, vegetables, cake, bread, French fries or whatever – be sure to follow Keith Bishop’s important rule, for your health’s sake. 

You’ll also discover the nutrient that has an important bearing on Alzheimer’s, cancer, bone density, and even blood vessel circulation. Is it in your daily regimen yet?

Finally, you’ll learn the three key things you can do to see an improvement in Alzheimer’s within 2 months.

Watch the video on YouTube now . Prefer audio only? Listen on Spotify now .