When it comes to the world of health and nutrition, which is by no means the static one, the questions relating to how supplements affect the fine-tuning of the hormonal balance of our body are both customary and essential. Among those questions that pop up so often is a question of whether or not the antioxidant called astaxanthin can raise levels of estrogen.
Understanding Astaxanthin
Astaxanthin is an impressive inherent carotenoid pigment, which gives the brilliant intense pinkish reddish color to some sea creatures such as salmon, shrimp and some algae. Being a famous source of antioxidant agents, it is much more efficient than most antioxidants in regards to scouting and overcoming harmful free radicals. This antioxidant. strength has been associated with the many health benefits.
As an example, it has been found to be instrumental towards the maintenance of a healthy skin by shielding from UV-related damages, minimizing wrinkles as well as skin elasticity. As a part of cardiovascular health, astaxanthin could be used to maintain cholesterol levels, enhance blood vessels function as well as decreasing atherosclerosis. It is also promising in the improvement of exercise performance and the prevention of exercise-induced fatigue and damage of muscles.
The Basics of Estrogen
Estrogen is a set of hormones which have primary significance in the human body especially in maturation and governing of the female reproductive structure. Estrogen plays a role in the menstrual cycle, growth and maintenance of the uterine lining as well as development of secondary sex characteristics in the female sex including development of the breasts. But estrogen does not belong only to females, as male people also secrete a small quantity of estrogen that plays a vital role in bone density, sperm synthesis, and hormonal balance in general.
Hormonal imbalances through estrogen may cause numerous disturbances. Among the women, a low level of estrogen can lead to such symptoms as hot flashes, dry vagina, and temperamental mood swings, also characteristic of menopause. On the contrary, high levels of estrogens may lead to endometriosis, fibroids, and some breast cancer. High levels of estrogen in men can cause gynecomastia (swell breast), poor sex drive and loss of muscles.
Research on Astaxanthin and Estrogen
The direct study of the connection between astaxanthin and estrogen levels has reached its early stages of scientific research, and the current results are rather controversial. The possible effects have been noted in some animal studies. As an example, a study on Nile tilapia, it was revealed that astaxanthin in diet had stimulated the growth of gonads of female fish at some selected concentrations (100 mg/kg, 150 mg/kg) and the serum levels of 17 B - estradiol (a derivative of estrogen) was considerably higher in groups of astaxanthin fed fish as compared to control fish.
Nevertheless, it is necessary to mention that the physiology of fish might not be applicable directly to human physiology. The evidence in human studies is less convincing. Occasional research indicates that astaxanthin can slightly exert a slightly estrogenic impact, which might be because of its structural likeness to some estrogenic medications. However these are effects that are normally said to be very weak and typical within normal physiological limits of the majority of people. Findings of other studies have not shown significant effect of astaxanthin on estrogen levels in human being. An example is the study conducted on postmenopausal women, the treatment with astaxanthin improved the oxidative stress and the damage of DNA, not with a significant effect on the level of estrogen.
Factors Influencing the Relationship
A number of variables may affect the effects of astaxanthin on estrogens. The dosage of astaxanthin is one of the factors. There is also a possibility that higher doses either may or may not have the same effect as lower doses that are usually advised. Nevertheless, there is no presently definite opinion on which (and whether) dose could induce a meaningful alteration in the levels of estrogen. Personal differences are also very important. Their genetic composition, baseline hormone levels, as well as the rates of metabolism are different, which may influence the way bodies react to astaxanthin.
An example, a person that has pre-existing hormonal imbalances can respond different towards astaxanthin when compared to an individual who has normal hormonal composition. Besides, the origin and type of astaxanthin can be important. The effects of natural astaxanthin such as those found in algae might be different to the synthesized ones. In addition, astaxanthin supplements used along with others might have some interactions with the body that are different to those with pure astaxanthin.
Conclusion
To sum up, though the question whether astaxanthin enhances estrogen is a matter of interest, the existing body of scientific data fails to give a straightforward answer at the moment. In certain animal studies, a possible effect on estrogen - related processes is present, although there is no present correlation between the findings in human studies. The many health benefits of astaxanthin are well - studied as the primary benefit of the latter is based on its antioxidant nature. Nevertheless, as regards its effect on estrogen, further studies are necessary to establish the relationship fully, particularly given such parameters as the dosage, personal differences, and the source of astaxanthin.
If you have specific concerns regarding your hormonal balance or are considering astaxanthin supplementation in relation to hormonal health, it is always advisable to consult a healthcare provider. For further inquiries or to explore high - quality astaxanthin products, you can reach out to us at donna@kingsci.com.
References
- Kim, J. H., & Jeon, Y. J. (2020). Biological activities and health benefits of astaxanthin: A review. Marine Drugs, 18(7), 361.
- Ma, X., et al. (2022). Role of Astaxanthin as a Stimulator of Ovarian Development in Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) and Its Potential Regulatory Mechanism: Ameliorating Oxidative Stress and Apoptosis. Antioxidants, 11(6), 1245151.
- Chew, B. P., & Park, J. H. (2018). The molecular mechanism of action of astaxanthin in improving skin health. Nutrients, 10(12), 1870.
