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Evidence of Astaxanthin's Protective Effects on Human Skin Against Sun Damage

Research indicates that dietary astaxanthin can protect skin from UV-induced damage. Human, cellular, and animal studies demonstrate its role in reducing skin moisture loss, wrinkle formation, and oxidative stress, highlighting astaxanthin's potential as an oral photoprotective agent.

  • Is there any proof that Astraxanthin protects from sun damage when consumed by humans?

  • There is credible scientific evidence suggesting that astaxanthin can help protect human skin from sun-induced damage when consumed as a dietary supplement. Here are some key findings from various studies:

    1. Human Studies:

      • A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial demonstrated that dietary astaxanthin supplementation increased the minimal erythema dose (MED), which is the amount of UV exposure required to cause a sunburn. Participants in the astaxanthin group had a reduced loss of skin moisture in UV-irradiated areas, and subjective skin conditions for improvement of rough skin and texture were significantly better than the placebo group1.
      • Another clinical study involving 65 healthy female participants showed that long-term astaxanthin supplementation inhibited age-related and environmentally induced skin deterioration. Participants receiving astaxanthin had less skin moisture loss and wrinkle formation compared to the placebo group2.

    2. Cellular Studies:

      • Astaxanthin was found to protect human keratinocytes (skin cells) from UVB-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis by modulating intracellular signaling pathways3.
      • It prevented UVA-induced alterations in superoxide dismutase activity and intracellular glutathione levels, which are critical antioxidants in the skin4.

    3. Animal Studies:

      • In various animal models, including hairless mice, astaxanthin supplementation reduced UV-induced skin photoaging. It prevented wrinkle formation, epidermal thickening, and increased collagen fibers in the skin56.

    These studies collectively suggest that astaxanthin can act as an oral photoprotective agent, potentially preventing or mitigating UV-induced skin damage through its potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

    Footnotes

    1. Naoki Ito, "The Protective Role of Astaxanthin for UV-Induced Skin Deterioration in Healthy People—A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial," PubMed, 2018. ↩

    2. Kumi Tominaga, "Protective effects of astaxanthin on skin deterioration," PubMed Central, 2020. ↩

    3. Bom Yee Chung, "Astaxanthin Protects Ultraviolet B-Induced Oxidative Stress and Apoptosis in Human Keratinocytes via Intrinsic Apoptotic Pathway," PubMed Central, 2024. ↩

    4. Concepción Parrado et al., "Oral Photoprotection: Effective Agents and Potential Candidates," PubMed Central, 2018. ↩

    5. Xing Li, "Protective Effects of Astaxanthin Supplementation against Ultraviolet-Induced Photoaging in Hairless Mice," PubMed, 2020. ↩

    6. Toshiyuki Komatsu, "Preventive effect of dietary astaxanthin on UVA-induced skin photoaging in hairless mice," PubMed Central, 2017. ↩

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