Astaxanthin 12mg AstaGuard® | 90 Capsules | Vit4ever

Astaxanthin from Vit4ever

With Vit4ever's astaxanthin, you choose a clear formula centered around a remarkable red pigment from nature. Each capsule provides 12 mg of astaxanthin, extracted from the microalgae Haematococcus pluvialis under the name AstaGuard®. The substance is dissolved in extra virgin olive oil, and the capsule is vegetarian. Convenient for those who wish to specifically add this unique raw material to their routine, without unnecessary extras.

What astaxanthin actually is

Astaxanthin is a deep red to orange pigment from the carotenoid family, the same group as beta-carotene, lutein, and lycopene. You probably know this color better than you think: astaxanthin gives salmon, shrimp, lobster, and even flamingos their pink to red hue. The substance originally comes from microalgae. The richest natural source is the green algae Haematococcus pluvialis, also known as blood rain algae. This algae produces the pigment itself during difficult times, for example, under strong sunlight, in case of drought or cold: the red pigment then acts as a kind of self-protection for the algae cell against the sun. Your body does not produce astaxanthin itself. You only get it through food, such as oily fish, or through a supplement. What many people don't know: the natural form from algae differs, in its molecular structure, from the synthetic variant, mainly used in animal feed for farmed salmon. The two forms are chemically related, but not identical in how the molecules are arranged in space.

Why astaxanthin is in olive oil

This is where olive oil comes in. Astaxanthin is fat-soluble, meaning it dissolves in fats and not in water. Your body therefore absorbs it more easily when accompanied by a fat source. Vit4ever therefore dissolves astaxanthin in extra virgin olive oil, directly in the capsule. So you don't have to look for a fatty meal yourself, although you should still take the capsule with a meal for better absorption. In addition, astaxanthin from algae is already naturally bound to fatty acids, in the form of what is called an ester. This fat-bound form harmonizes well with the oily base of this product. In short: the oil is not a filler, but a thoughtful carrier for a fat-soluble substance. And extra virgin olive oil is a careful choice in this regard, it is one of the purest vegetable oils available and it also contains natural antioxidants like polyphenols, which help preserve the quality of the oil over time.

Why you take this capsule every 2 days

This is the point that distinguishes this product. Each capsule contains 12 mg of astaxanthin, a generous amount. However, you only take it once every two days. There's a reason for that. The European Food Safety Authority EFSA has evaluated astaxanthin-rich oleoresin from Haematococcus pluvialis up to 8 mg per day for adults. By taking the capsule every two days, you average 6 mg per day and stay well within this framework. That's why it is also expressly stated not to combine it with other astaxanthin supplements on the same day: the EFSA limit applies to the total intake from all sources combined, not just from this single product. AstaGuard® is the certified raw material used for this purpose. This way you know exactly what the source is and how to distribute it. Many people using astaxanthin for the first time expect daily intake like a regular vitamin. The every-other-day rhythm therefore requires some getting used to, but in practice it is easy to remember by, for example, associating the capsule with a fixed weekly schedule.

How astaxanthin compares to other carotenoids

Astaxanthin is often mentioned in the same breath as beta-carotene and lutein, but the molecules differ in structure. Your body can convert beta-carotene into vitamin A, astaxanthin cannot. Lutein is mainly found in the yellow part of the eye, astaxanthin is more widely distributed in the fatty tissue of the body. The difference also lies in the intensity of the color: among known carotenoids, astaxanthin has one of the most powerful color pigments, which partly explains why small amounts already give a clear red hue to the organisms that store it. For those comparing astaxanthin to other red or orange supplements, this is a useful distinction: it is a substance in its own right, with its own chemical identity, and not a variant of more well-known carotenoids.

Pure astaxanthin from algae, generously dosed and in an olive oil base. For those who want to add this red carotenoid to their supplement cabinet consciously and with attention to dosage, this is a thoughtful option. You know exactly what you have in your hands: a certified algae source, an olive oil base, and nothing superfluous otherwise.