By José Luis Arenas & René van Hoorn

​Most of us don’t think about the state of our immune systems, until the temperature drops significantly at the start of the fall/winter season. Fighting of the yearly flu by eating healthy, by getting enough vitamins and working out as the main strategies to have a healthy immune system. How different is this now. In midst of the biggest pandemic since 1918, the immune system is top of mind. And it should be.

The immune system

Our pathogen defence exists of two different subsystems, one being the Innate immune system and the other being the adaptive immune system. Our innate immune system functions like a first and general defence against a wide range of pathogens. If this system functions optimal, chances are you won’t even get or feel sick. Our adaptive immune system is our second defence and specific against certain pathogens. It takes a while for the body to build the antibodies, but once these are formed, the body will usually overcome most of our flu like diseases once infected.

It is good to note that, although both systems work very differently, the body will destroy pathogens using free radicals in either system.

The role of Astaxanthin

Those that follow publications on antioxidants the last decades, may have read on Astaxanthin being one of the world’s strongest antioxidants. You may know that Astaxanthin will fight off free radicals, but how it may support your immune system is lesser known.

1. Builds more white blood cells

White blood cells are part of our first defence. As soon as pathogens are detected, our bone marrow is stimulated to create a high output of these white blood cells but this comes with a challenge! 

The production naturally needs substantial energy which is made by local mitochondria. During energy production mitochondria “leak” Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) and without proper protection these will cause membrane damage, tissue destruction and low energy production.  This will in turn hamper the production of white blood cells.

Astaxanthin has the capacity to span full membrane bilayers and protect against ROS, setting the conditions for optimal white blood Cell Production

2. Increases immune cells: B-cells & T-Cells

In the adaptive immune system B & T cell play a vital role in our bodies defence. A clinical trial done with young female students showed that 2 or 8mg Astaxanthin significantly increased T and C cells after just 4 weeks of supplementation.

3. Reduces inflammation during critical viral infections

During later stages of highly pathogenic viral infections the body can overreact its immune response which can lead to systemic inflammation response syndrome (SIRS). SIRS is a critical situation in the disease state and which can lead to organ failure, usually at the site of infection. Natural astaxanthin exerts powerful antioxidant action that can help combat local inflammation and the development of SIRS, as witnessed by the reduction of pro-inflammatory cytokines like TNF-a and IL-6.

Although the research on Astaxanthin’s role on immune system is just developing, we believe the science shows a plausible rationale that can help protect and overcome viral infections. Curious to learn more about Nataxtin® natural Astaxanthin?

Please visit www.nataxtin.cl or www.lusingredients.com in Europe.