The active component in Lifestream AstaZan™ appears to assist muscle function by reducing free radical damage during heavy exercise, thus allowing muscles to use more oxygen efficiently and recover quickly. During strenuous exercise free radicals can cause skeletal damage, muscle damage and lipid peroxidation as well as contributing to the loss of calcium within cells after strenuous exercise. Current research recommends the use of dietary antioxidants to assist the process and help with muscle recovery.

AstaZan™ is a unique extract with astaxanthin, a natural substance that has very powerful and far-reaching antioxidant benefits. Studies have shown it to be considerably more effective at free radical scavenging than Beta carotene, Grape Seed, Vitamin C & Vitamin E. This makes it an idea post workout supplement. This brings a new level of effectiveness and is unlike any other antioxidant as it also helps with sun protection and exercise recovery.

AstaZan is active throughout the entire body, the unique structure of the active component allows it to pass the "blood-brain barrier", meaning it can deliver antioxidant benefits directly to the brain, eyes and nervous system as well as the rest of the body. AstaZan also helps recycle other antioxidants including vitamin E, beta carotene, lycopene and glutathione – switching them back “on” and prolonging their functional life.

HELPS RECOVERY TIME AFTER EXERCISE
In both trained athletes and those exercising for general fitness and/or long term health benefits, there is always concern about muscle recovery after exercise. AstaZan™ will help recovery time after exercise and will assist with recovery time by taking nutrition and special rare plant pigments to the muscles and joints where they are needed most.

The superb physical feats of salmon
Perhaps the most vigorous feat in the animal world is the instinctive migration up raging rivers by salmon. Salmon accumulate the astaxanthin in their muscles in preparation for this huge and very taxing journey which can cover thousands of miles. Mother Nature chose astaxanthin to protect their bodies from oxidative stress during this extremely traumatic and aerobic migratory event.

Exercise recovery studies and results
In a double blind placebo controlled study on fitness and strength and endurance, physiological test parameters were monitored. There was a significant difference in the group consuming Astaxanthin. The marked improvement in strength and endurance could not be explained by simple lactic acid tolerance or increase in muscle mass since this did not occur.

At the University of Memphis a double blind, placebo controlled study2 measured the effects of Astaxanthin on volunteers during the 48 hours following intense exercise. In this case leg lifting was measured as an indication of the ability of Astaxanthin to help recovery time after strenuous exercise. The Astaxanthin supplemented group did not experience the muscular fatigue after the strenuous exercise, as compared to the placebo group.

Potent Antioxidant
AstaZan™ has very powerful antioxidant benefits.The active extract astaxanthin, is a natural red component of a fresh-water plant like Spirulina, but offers much stronger antioxidant activity against free radicals, pollutants and damaging substances. Astaxanthin is similar to beta-carotene but a slight difference in structure results in a radical difference in biological activity. Lifestream AstaZan™ is stronger than natural antioxidants like beta-carotene and up to 100 times stronger than Vitamin E as an antioxidant1.

The unique structural aspects allow it to pass the "blood brain barrier", meaning it can deliver antioxidant activity benefits not only through the blood stream to the cells of the skin, muscles and organs but also directly to the brain, eyes and nervous system. AstaZan™ is active throughout the entire body - a far-reaching and potent antioxidant that also helps recycle other antioxidants like Vitamin E, beta carotene, lycopene and glutathione – switching them back “on” and prolonging their functional life.

Research
At the institute for Bio-organic Research, Osaka, Japan, a prominent researcher and his team found that the antioxidant activities of astaxanthin were approximately 10 times stronger than other carotenoids (those studied included beta carotene, lutein and zeaxanthin). Even more impressive, astaxanthin was rated as being100 times more powerful than Vitamin E 1. In other tests astaxanthin was rated as being up to 1000 times more powerful in terms of protecting lipid peroxidation than Vitamin E2 .

Is it a natural antioxidant? Yes. The active component  has been produced naturally for many thousands of years and is very different from the synthetic variety. Lifestream AstaZan™ provides esterified astaxanthin, which means it is more stable, and is specifically formulated to provide other lipid soluble components and this formulation maximises absorption and health benefits. Just ONE capsule provides the recommended daily dose of astaxanthin, which is equivalent to 800g of Atlantic salmon!

Reference:
1-2 Miki, Wiataru. Biological functions and activities of animal carotenoids. Pure & Applied Chem., Vol 63, No1, pp 141-146, 1991. Printed in Great Britain, 1991 IUPAC. Tso, M.O.M., and T.-T. Lam. 1996. Method of retarding and ameliorating central nervous system and eye damage. U.S. Patent #5527533.

Sun Protection
AstaZan™ has the remarkable ability to help limit sunburn and help feed and support the skin in its defences against external damage from ultraviolet radiation (UVR). It is a systemic sunscreen active throughout the body that strengthens the skins natural defence system during exposure to UVR. Chronic sun damage and sunburn - especially in the first couple of decades of life - can result in prematurely dry, wrinkled skin and the possibility of skin disease in later life.

Sunburn can damage skin cells (proteins, lipids or even DNA), increasing our risk of visible skin damage and long term complications. In defence our body utilizes an array of antioxidants to disarm the free radicals. Unfortunately under the severe stress of UVR exposure these antioxidant resources can be rapidly depleted.

Clinical Study
A clinical evaluation1 of the active component  showed the ability to provide sunscreen protection. The study involved healthy subjects with fair to average skin tones. Each subject was individually exposed to UV light to form a baseline that caused minimal skin reddening. Subjects then consumed the active component and their skin sensitivity to UV light was re-tested. In conclusion, the active component significantly increased the amount of ultraviolet light energy required to produce skin reddening, the first stage of sunburn.

How does it work? It is believed that Astaxanthin complements and participates in the body’s own antioxidant defence system and thereby helps to prevent skin damage. Scientists believe Lifestream AstaZan™ works by helping to preserve and enhance the protective effects of substances such as Vitamin E, Vitamin C, beta carotene, superoxide dismutase and catalase at the skins structure. These effects (in combination or separately) may reduce the acute inflammation reaction of the skin and tissue just below the skin that follows excessive exposure to UV radiation, which leads to sunburn and damage.

Warning: This product is not a sunscreen or sunburn protectant and does not have a sunburn factor. Do not use this product without adequate sun protection such as sunscreen, clothing protection etc.

Reference:
1. Clinical Evaluation the potential of an Antioxidant Supplement to alter Photobiological Responsiveness in Humans, Consumer Product Testing Co. Fairfield New Jersey. S01 – 0244. April 2001.

So Just One Capsule A Day:

Helps limit sunburn - by helping to protect from ultraviolet radiation.
Helps recovery time after exercise
Is considerably more effective than Vitamin E as an antioxidant
Uniquely crosses the ‘blood-brain barrier’ to deliver antioxidants directly to the brain, eyes and nervous system.
Has superior antioxidant activity against free radical damage 
Ingredients: Each soft gel capsule contains:
Natural Astaxanthin   4.00mg
Vitamin E (d-alpha tocopherol)    10.0mg
Lutein    40.0mcg
Also Contains: GE Free safflower oil, BSE free gelatin and glycerin. This product is free from: wheat, gluten, milk derivatives, yeast, sugar, artificial colour, flavour and preservatives.
 
Where does it come from? Lifestream AstaZan contains astaxanthin (pronounced as-ta-zan-thin), this natural high-performance carotenoid extract is carefully produced and grown in natural conditions under the Hawaiian sun. It is a natural and essential dietary component for fish including salmon - the pink colour of their flesh is due to their rich astazanthin content. Until recently, eating large quantities of salmon* was the only way for humans to consume astaxanthin.

Pack Information:
Available in Capsules 30, 60 and 90

Reference: 1. Tso, M.O.M., and T.-T. Lam. Method of retarding and ameliorating central nervous system and eye damage. U.S. Patent #5527533. 1996.