What is astaxanthin and where does it come from?
Astaxanthin is a reddish carotenoid from the xanthophyll group and is considered one of the most powerful natural antioxidants. In nature, it is primarily produced by the freshwater microalga Haematococcus pluvialis when exposed to stress conditions such as intense UV radiation or nutrient deficiency. The pigment acts as a natural sun protection for the algae and gives it a deep red color.
Through the food chain, astaxanthin is transferred to animals such as salmon, crustaceans, or flamingos, giving them their characteristic reddish color. For Heilnatura, the algae is cultivated under controlled conditions in closed photobioreactors, the astaxanthin is gently extracted, and then encapsulated in a purely plant-based HPMC capsule.
Astaxanthin belongs to the carotenoid family, like beta-carotene, lutein, and zeaxanthin, and is known for its particularly strong antioxidant properties.
