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Benefits of astaxanthin in fighting cardiovascular disease

 โพสต์เมื่อ : 18 มี.ค 2567 เวลา 8:19 น.
ปกCVD

      According to a report from the Ministry of Public Health in 2022, it was found that 7,501,688 elderly people, or 78.74%, received health assessments and screening. The majority of health problems among the elderly tend to be chronic non-communicable diseases. The number one disease is hypertension at 46.06%,followed by diabetes at 21.12%, and stroke at 2.43%.


       This data serves as a warning for both the elderly and non-elderly to take care of themselves and stay away from these chronic diseases. This is because hypertension, diabetes, and high blood cholesterol levels are major causes that lead to life-threatening cardiovascular diseases. Therefore, finding ways to prevent these diseases from an early stage is extremely important.

What are cardiovascular diseases?

What are cardiovascular diseases? Cardiovascular diseases are a group of disorders affecting the heart and blood vessels, such as cerebrovascular diseases(stroke) and ischemic heart diseases (e.g. heart attack), which are primarily caused by atherosclerosis - the buildup of fats (LDL cholesterol), calcium, and white blood cells in the arteries leading to blockages. These diseases tend to gradually develop as people get older due to a combination of factors

such as:

• Age, especially men aged 45 and above, and women aged 55 and above

• Hypertension, with systolic BP > 140 mmHg and diastolic BP > 90 mmHg

• High blood cholesterol (total cholesterol > 200 mg/dL, LDL > 130 mg/dL, triglycerides > 200 mg/dL)

• Inflammation in the body

• Unhealthy lifestyle like poor diet, lack of exercise, smoking, and alcohol consumption

• Diabetes with fasting blood sugar > 126 mg/dL and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) ≥ 6.5%

      Regarding diabetes, it is a disease with an increased risk as people get older. The main factors contributing to the development of diabetes often come from daily lifestyle habits, such as eating foods high in sugar, taking certain medications, drinking sweetened beverages, eating desserts, or it can be due to genetics. Moreover, diabetes is considered a major risk factor that can lead to cardiovascular complications.

Current Treatment Approaches

      Current treatment for cardiovascular diseases and diabetes focuses on managing symptoms and reducing complications. For cardiovascular diseases, treatments include cholesterol-lowering medications, blood pressure medications, and anti-platelet drugs, as well as surgeries to reduce disease progression and risk of blood clots. For diabetes management, lifestyle modifications like dietary control and exercise are employed, along with glucose-lowering medications to slow disease progression.

      Lifestyle adjustments for those at risk or diagnosed with cardiovascular diseases include regularly eating vegetables, exercising regularly, managing stress, not smoking, not drinking alcohol, and getting regular health check-ups. Additionally, there are several nutrients that may help prevent these diseases, such as CoQ10, fish oil, vitamin C, and astaxanthin. This article will discuss astaxanthin, a compound researched for its ability to lower blood lipids, reduce blood clotting, lower blood sugar levels, and reduce inflammation that causes cardiovascular diseases.

How Does Astaxanthin Support Elderly Health?

     Astaxanthin is a red pigment found in seafood like salmon, shrimp, and red algae. It is rich in antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Current research shows that taking 6-12 mg of astaxanthin for 12 weeks can significantly reduce systolic blood pressure. Another study gave 6 or 12 mg/day of astaxanthin to type 2 diabetics for 8 weeks and found significant reductions in blood glucose, HbA1c, and inflammatory markers (interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor) in the blood.

     Regarding lowering blood lipids, studies found that taking 12 mg of astaxanthin for 12-24 weeks significantly reduced total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL cholesterol, and oxidation of LDL - a major factor contributing to arterial inflammation.

      These factors are major causes of atherosclerosis leading to cardiovascular diseases. Astaxanthin's ability to regulate these factors makes it a nutrient of great interest, especially for the elderly at risk of cardiovascular diseases and diabetes who are seeking natural support. However, it is important to consult a healthcare professional before incorporating astaxanthin into a treatment plan, especially for those already ill or taking medications.

[Reference]

1.Leung LYL, Chan SMN, Tam HL, Wong ESW. Astaxanthin Influence on Health Outcomes of Adults at Risk of Metabolic Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Nutrients. 2022 May 13;14(10):2050.

2.Medoro A, Intrieri M, Passarella D, Donald Craig Willcox, Davinelli S, Scapagnini G. Astaxanthin as a metabolic regulator of glucose and lipid homeostasis. Journal of Functional Foods. 2024 Jan 1;112:105937–7.

3.Urakaze M, Kobashi C, Satou Y, Shigeta K, Toshima M, Takagi M, et al. The Beneficial Effects of Astaxanthin on Glucose Metabolism and Modified Low-Density Lipoprotein in Healthy Volunteers and Subjects with Prediabetes. Nutrients [Internet]. 2021 Dec 7;13(12):4381. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8706636/

4.Chan KC, Chen SC, Chen PC. Astaxanthin attenuated thrombotic risk factors in type 2 diabetic patients. 2019 Feb 1;53:22–7.

5.Ciaraldi TP, Boeder SC, Mudaliar SR, Giovannetti ER, Henry RR, Pettus JH. Astaxanthin, a Natural Antioxidant, Lowers Cholesterol and Markers of Cardiovascular Risk in Individuals with Prediabetes and Dyslipidemia. Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism. 2023 Mar 30;