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In the realm of health supplements, astaxanthin has garnered attention for its potent antioxidant properties. The market for astaxanthin is growing fast as more people become aware of its potential. Recently, a review paper published in the journal Nutrients explored the cognitive health benefits of astaxanthin supplementation. The paper was written by a group of scientists from Edge Hill University in the UK. It sheds light on the potential of astaxanthin to enhance mental performance and protect against cognitive decline. The paper can be found here.

Key Findings

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The worldwide astaxanthin market will almost double in size in the next decade, according to a new research report from DataM Intelligence. According to the report, the combined market size for natural astaxanthin and synthetic (petrochemical) astaxanthin was USD 1.5 billion (1,500,000,000) US$ in 2023. It is expected to reach USD 2.7 billion (2,700,000,000) US$ by 2031. That is about 80% increase in market size. Note that only natural astaxanthin has health benefits for humans.

Algalíf Iceland. Natural Astaxanthin: Human Clinical Studies Overview.

This means that the annual growth rate (GAGR) is 8,1%. Again, this includes both synthetic (petrochemical)  and natural astaxanthin. The authors describe the purpose of the report to be to “provide a telescopic view of the current market size by value and volume, opportunities, and development status.” The synthetic (petrochemical) astaxanthin market is much bigger in volume than the natural one, but the raw material price for natural astaxanthin is about much higher than synthetic (petrochemical).

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When a car rusts, an apple rots, or skin wrinkles, it is always due to “free radicals”. Free radicals are unstable oxygen molecules that attack the body’s 100 trillion cells every day, triggering a destructive chain reaction that can manifest itself in a wide variety of diseases. However, we can protect ourselves from this with certain radical scavengers called “antioxidants”. One such radical scavenger, Astaxanthin, a highly potent carotenoid, is one of the strongest antioxidants. This substance can protect the body´s cells from the attacks of free radicals.

Natural astaxanthin is the strongest antioxidant

You cannot see them, cannot hear them, cannot smell them, and cannot feel them. But they are there! The Killer in the Air. Their name: “Free radicals”. This is simply oxygen molecules.

Oxygen is vital to us humans. But how can a vital element be capable of such destruction? On one hand, oxygen sustains, promotes, and fuels life – on the other hand, it causes stress and damage to our proteins and even DNA, impairing our health and well-being in multiple ways. The reason: Not all oxygen molecules are made equal.

Negative influence of oxygen molecules

The majority of respirated oxygen is stable and indispensable for life. But there are also unstable oxygen molecules, including the free radicals. Radical and non-radical oxygen molecules differ in their molecular structure. Radical oxygen species have an unpaired – unstable – electron, and this excess of energy can only be stabilized by stealing electrons from other nearby molecules, such as our proteins or DNA. This is how free radicals can quickly develop into killer substances. The radical oxygen molecules can influence our organism very negatively.

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The ongoing volcanic eruption, that started on December 18^th, and seismic activity near the town of Grindavik in the Reykjanes peninsula, do not affect the production capabilities or product delivery abilities of Algalif Iceland. All Algalif employees are safe and there is no danger to any Algalif facilities.

Algalif is located in a safe area next to the Keflavik International Airport about 25 km from the active area. Both the airport and all other businesses in the area are safe and open.

The geology of Iceland.

Iceland is a volcanic island and very young in a geological context. The island of Iceland is the result of slow lava buildup for the past 20 million years. It is located on the Mid-Atlantic ridge where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates meet. The plates move away from each other by a few centimeters every year. That means that earthquakes are quite common and there are volcanic eruptions on average every five years for as long as there is historical data.

Picture from Wikipedia.

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