I’ve ordered it and will give it a go. Thanks!
Good luck. I think it’s a great product. I rarely feel anything so it’s amazing to get such a big effect.
I take astaxanthin now and again -less so after reading it interferes with calcium and so for older women at risk for osteoporosis not idea sadly.
I think Astaxanthin is also targeted more towards men than women.
At least that’s what the mice trials say…
I’ve been taking it daily for months and this is the first I’ve heard this, so thank you for mentioning it. Time to google…
EDIT:
@Michele_Watson, and @DeStrider, fwiw, I found this. The first thing to pop up seems to suggest it might be protective …
5. Conclusions
In summary, the findings in this review have demonstrated that astaxanthin, a well-known antioxidant, had a positive effect on common bone diseases, including osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, osteosarcoma, and osteonecrosis. Different astaxanthin dosages and formulations, and combination with other compounds, have been reviewed. The bone protective effects of astaxanthin are attributed to their ability to promote bone mineralization, increased osteoblast differentiation, bone microarchitecture, and reduced osteoclast formation through scavenging excess free radicals, which is a net product of oxidative stress.
Astaxanthin and CYP3A4 and CYP2B6 - relevant, because rapamycin is metabolized by CYP3A4:
To be clear, Astaxanthin induces this enzyme, while supplements such as berberine and quercetin inhibit it?
Thank you! I had read this: Yes, astaxanthin can lower calcium levels and should be used with caution in people with low calcium:
Calcium production: Astaxanthin’s antioxidant activity can decrease calcium production.
Bone health: Astaxanthin can improve bone health by reducing oxidative stress, but it should be used with caution in people with osteoporosis or low calcium.
In vitro studies: In vitro studies have shown that astaxanthin interacts with calcium ions to form complexes that may interfere with calcium-activated calpain.
Other things to consider when taking astaxanthin include:
It may cause severe abdominal pain and aplastic anemia.
It may alter the conversion of beta-carotene.
So I was concerned re I have low bone and low calcium -am working on it.
A very comprehensive overview of astaxanthin:
has this to say about these enzyme interactions with astaxanthin, also referencing the study (#850) I posted:
Quote:
" It is well known that AX and other carotenoids can modulate hepatic xenobiotic-metabolizing phase I enzymes in some species of rodents. While hepatic metabolization is considered the primary xenobiotic pathway, induction of Phase I enzymes in extrahepatic tissues, such as the lung and kidneys, has also been reported in rats [847,848]. Previous studies have indicated that AX induces the hepatic P450 enzyme CYP1A1/2 in rats. However, this CYP gene induction has not been observed in mouse models or human hepatocytes [326,847,849,850,851]. An in vitro study using pooled human microsomes confirmed these findings and showed only weak inhibition of the CYP 2C19 enzyme [852]. Consequently, AX supplementation is unlikely to affect Phase I drug metabolism in humans and is likely safe to use in clinical trials. The metabolism of AX and CYP induction appears to be species-specific, and concerns for humans are considered to be minor, although further confirmations remain required."
So, in humans it looks like a weak inducer, and importantly any metabolites should not interfere with other drugs (including, presumably, rapamycin). On berberine and quercetin I have no comment, as I have no plans to ever take them in supplemental levels (quercetin only from food), so I have done no research in them.
Grapefruit would be a more powerful example than berberine and quercetin, since that inhibits that enzyme and increases absorption of a lot of other things
Yes, grapefruit is a powerful inhibitor, and a lot of drugs which are metabolized by those enzymes are affected. Obviously not all drugs are metabolized by those particular enzymes, though it seems the majority are.
At what concentrations?
Hi I am not sure at all. I was taking 12 mg but I cant find much other than if you google astaxanthin and osteoporosis it comes up that it interferes with calcium which is bad news for someone like me who has low bone density anyway.
I cannot find a single reference in scientific literature showing astaxanthin induces osteoporosis. On the contrary, there are numerous studies demonstrating astaxanthin reverses osteoporosis.
- A rat model of osteoporosis found "H. pluvialis fractions rich in astaxanthin ameliorated bone loss in experimentally-induced osteoporosis in rats probably through the down-regulation of serum OPG in concurrence with up-regulation of serum RANKL.
- Another rat model came to a similar conclusion, but identified a different pathway, astaxanthin "may inhibit PA-induced bone loss through its antioxidant properties via the SIRT1 signaling pathway.
- Also, “nutraceuticals that activate AMPK, Sirt1, Nrf2, and sGC, or that inhibit CK2, could favorably influence bone density by promoting RUNX2 activity and autophagy—while also suppressing apoptosis—in osteoblasts and osteocytes… astaxanthin can enhance the expression of Nrf2”
There are many more along the same lines, including in vitro, which indicate favorable outcomes of astaxanthin for bone health. It would be helpful to know where this (mis)information is coming from and if it’s just theoretical or backed by research.
Astaxanthin as a Potent Antioxidant for Promoting Bone Health: An Up-to-Date Review
Hi I did not read that it induced OP- my comment was that I read it interfered with calcium. It can modulate calcium levels: Calcium-Involved Action of Phytochemicals: Carotenoids and Monoterpenes in the Brain.
ChatGPT:
Astaxanthin’s ability to reduce calcium activity in neurons is a neuroprotective effect related to preventing oxidative stress and cell damage. This mechanism is unrelated to calcium metabolism in bones and does not suggest that astaxanthin would worsen osteoporosis. On the contrary, its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties may indirectly benefit bone health.
Well that is very reassuring! I will go back to it.
The incredibly thorough and science based responses to your concern is what makes this forum so good. Just imagine the replies if you had posted that on Reddit instead
Everyone on reddit is an arrogant, overconfident liar. You can trust random facebook boomers more than redditors.