AstaReal secures patent for muscle-aiding astaxanthin to personalize F&B

19 Apr 2021 --- AstaReal has obtained a patent for the use of its astaxanthin as a personalized treatment in mobility and muscular health. 

The company’s new patent, which adds to a number of AstaReal’s previously obtained patents, is “directly relevant to personalized nutrition applications of natural astaxanthin in supplements, functional foods and beverages,” says the company.

AstaReal is a specialist in astaxanthin production, a pigment that belongs to a group of chemicals called carotenoids. It occurs naturally in certain algae and causes the pink or red color in salmon, trout, lobster, shrimp, and other seafood. 

Astaxanthin is used to help a plethora of human health conditions ranging from blood pressure and diabetes to cholesterol levels and heart damage repair. 

“The demand for customized nutrition is on the rise, and this AstaReal Astaxanthin patent represents an opportunity to engage in the growing consumer awareness of science-based supplements and their role in tailored nutritional solutions,” says AstaReal USA scientific affairs manager, Dr. Karen Hecht.

Personalizing astaxanthin treatments
Precision nutrition products are tailored to an individual’s characteristic needs and goals, aiming to promote long-term health. 

The new patent will add to a line of AstaReal inventions targeting various health issues.Innova Market Insights recently labeled “Tailored to Fit” a top trend for 2021, noting the importance of personal nutrition as research and technological developments allow for more individualized healthcare treatment. 

“Nutrients and bioactive molecules in foods can influence our health in many ways: by directly interacting with metabolic pathways, by fueling growth and by modulating gene expression,” says AstaReal. 

“Our new patent paves the way for the application of AstaReal Astaxanthin in personalized nutrition products aimed at maintaining mobility and healthy muscles.”

The company says its approach focuses on preventative healthcare, which is relevant to individuals concerned with aging muscles (sarcopenia), athletic injuries and unloaded muscles. 

Arun Nair, AstaReal USA CEO, comments: “This is an exciting new path for AstaReal Astaxanthin, addressing the growing contribution of nutrigenomics to the supplement and functional foods market.”

Astaxanthin research 
The patent highlights research in which astaxanthin could lower rates of muscle atrophy in response to muscle denervation and nerve injury. 

AstaReal’s astaxanthin shifted gene expression profiles to favor the maintenance of healthy muscle mass, notes the company. 

Last year, an Astareal-endorsed study found that astaxanthin can improve cyclists’ sporting endurance and fat metabolism. 

The study aimed to investigate whether daily supplementation with 12 mg astaxanthin for seven days could improve exercise performance and metabolism during a 40 km cycling time trial. 

Following astaxanthin supplementation, the time to complete the exercise improved by up to 1.7 percent compared to a placebo condition. 

The findings and recent patent comes at a time when astaxanthin is receiving increased interest, with new delivery formats coming to the fore. This year, Lycored released algae-derived astaxanthin products with an oleoresin and a microencapsulated starch beadlet for cellular and immune health.

Edited

By Louis Gore-Langton

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