Astaxanthin and the Immune System

Having a strong immune system is incredibly important to living a long and happy life. Unfortunately, there are so many different factors that can compromise your immune system, especially prevalent in a western lifestyle. Both genetic and environmental factors can cause your immune system to malfunction, making you more prone to becoming sick and contracting serious diseases. Therefore, supporting your immune system so it functions optimally is incredibly important. You can do this with a quality diet and the support of supplements, including astaxanthin. Let’s learn more about your immune system and how astaxanthin can improve it.


What is the Immune System?
Your immune system is responsible for keeping you healthy. It is a collection of cells and systems that protect you from diseases and unwanted molecules. Your lymph nodes, spleen, white blood cells, and thymus are all a part of this important system. When your immune system works properly, it recognises the cells in your body that are unfamiliar, like those from bacteria or viruses, and then works to destroy them. You are born with an immune system that includes your skin, cough reflex, stomach enzymes and more. Your immune system can also adapt. It can learn what specific threats there are to the body and target those threats with specific antibodies. Because of this, we have vaccinations that keep you from contracting serious diseases like the measles, mumps, rubella and polio. Your immune system can also overreact to certain factors, leading to allergies and hay fever.


What is Astaxanthin?
Astaxanthin is a powerful carotenoid, a compound that has antioxidant properties. Carotenoids are found in nature and astaxanthin is mostly found in sea creatures like shrimp, lobster, salmon and algae. Astaxanthin is what gives these sea animals its pink and red hue. Astaxanthin is available as a supplement you can take by mouth.


How can Astaxanthin Help Your Immune System?
Astaxanthin can improve how your immune system functions. Because of its antioxidant properties, astaxanthin can reduce inflammation and oxidative stress. Oxidative stress is caused by outside forces that we cannot control. Since there is no way to avoid oxidative stress, you must consume plenty of antioxidants. These antioxidants then combat oxidative stress and the free radicals they cause to keep your body healthy and functioning properly. Free radicals can affect your body on a cellular level – they actually damange and change your DNA! Astaxanthin can help protect your DNA from free radicals. In addition to keeping your DNA safe, your immune system has cells that kill diseases, from minor ones like viruses to serious ones like cancer. Astaxanthin strengthens these cells. They also increase the amount of B and T cells that are necessary for fighting disease. Astaxanthin can also help with allergies. It can work with antihistamines to decrease the response of your immune system to allergens so that you do not suffer as much from seasonal allergies while still keeping your body healthy.

Astaxanthin is growing in popularity as a supplement because of its incredible benefits to the body. It can boost your immune system so that it works better, which will keep you healthy and feeling good. A strong immune system also means it will be less likely to attack itself or have an overreaction to allergens. If you are worried about your immune system functioning properly, then start supplementing with astaxanthin. Your body will thank you.

Astaxanthin Information

For more everything you need to know about Astaxanthin, check out our comprehensive information page here.

Astaxanthin Supplement

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We’ve created an astaxanthin supplement containing 6mg of astaxanthin per softgel. To learn more about our astaxanthin, check out the product page here.

Ron Goedeke


Ron Goedeke MD, BSc Hons MBChB, FNZCAM

Dr Ron Goedeke, specialises in alternative and functional medicine. He is a foundation member of the New Zealand college of Appearance medicine and has been a member of the American Academy of Anti-aging medicine since 1999. With over 20 years of experience in the anti-aging field, Dr Ron Goedeke is recognized as one of New Zealand’s leaders in this new and growing field of medicine.

Disclaimer: The information provided is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or qualified healthcare provider with any questions or concerns about your health. Never disregard or delay seeking medical advice because of something you have heard or read on this website.


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