Mood, immunity and microbiome benefits with astaxanthin supplement, Solabia-Algatech Nutrition study reveals

14 Sep 2022 --- Astaxanthin, a prominent nutrient in AstaPure Arava, a whole-algae supplement of the species Haematococcus pluvialis, may act to improve both mood and the immune system by enhancing the gut microbiome and reducing the amount of the stress hormone cortisol, according to a new study by Solabia-Algatech Nutrition.

The researchers studied the supplement’s effects on a cohort of runners preparing for either a marathon or a half-marathon. The 15 male and 17 female runners were given the product, which contains 8 mg of astaxanthin, or a placebo of maltodextrin – for three weeks leading up to the race and one week after. The participants were then given both subjective and objective testing.

“The whole-algae Arava product was shown to support immune health and reduce the levels of cortisol, the main stress hormone,” Dr. Solli Brawer, chief scientific officer, Solabia-Algatech Nutrition, tells NutritionInsight.

“The study emphasized that the product supports the immune system and our overall well-being, and it also contributes to supporting a healthy microbiome.”

Running with astaxanthin
The company states that AstaPure Arava contains 50% polysaccharides, 28% lipids, 14% proteins, trace minerals, B-complex vitamins and 3% astaxanthin, making it a “full-spectrum microalgae complex.” They further attest that astaxanthin has high bioavailability and that H. pluvialis is one of the most concentrated sources of the antioxidant.

Moreover, the company reports that the antioxidant is able to pass through both the blood-retinal and blood-brain barriers, meaning that it can reach many different body areas and systems, possibly protecting cells from oxidative stress. This provided numerous benefits to the participants.

Participants taking the supplement reported 78% less upper respiratory tract complaints. “Following the consumption of the Arava for a month, there was an elevation in the levels of the beneficial bacteria Streptococcus thermophilus in the gut in addition to reduction in stress and upper respiratory tract infection symptoms,” Brawer explains. “These three changes are related to the gut-immunity-brain axis.”

“The lower cortisol and superior microbiome parameters suggest that immune vigilance and mental well-being are linked through the microbiome and stress response pathways.”

Racing against infection
The double-blind, placebo-controlled study, published in EC Nutrition, measured upper-respiratory tract complaints (URTCs) and mood states with subjective questionnaires as well as testing fecal and saliva samples for microbiome makeup and cortisol levels of the recreational runners.

The study also states that, since excessive training is known to suppress the immune system and increase infection susceptibility as well as causing psychological stress, the supplement’s ability to regulate these factors is even more important.

“Athletes building up for an endurance competition such as a half-marathon or marathon are exposed to strenuous physical and mental conditions,” states Dr. Shawn Talbott, co-author of the study. “The one-to-two-week period following intense endurance competition represents a period of particularly elevated susceptibility to immune deficiency and psychological stress.”

Speeding up recovery
The company states that any sustained physical activity will strain the brain, mind, mood, organs and muscles of athletes and active adults. 

However, the researchers found that, compared to those taking the placebo, those taking the supplement reported 78% less URTC and 14% higher elevated mood states. Furthermore, cortisol levels were 25% lower in the test group, and S. thermophilus levels were found to be 72% higher in the microbiome, which further improves the immune system. 

“These results suggest that AstaPure Arava could help improve the immune system’s acuity and improve the overall sense of well-being following stress conditions,” Brawer concludes. “It was very interesting to find that the consumption of the product at stressful times led to improvement of immunity and reduced the levels of stress hormone and improved well being.”

By William Bradford Nichols