Astaxanthin is a reddish pigment that is a member of the carotenoid family. It occurs naturally in certain algae such as Haematococcus pluvialis, the most concentrated natural source of astaxanthin in the world. It is a fat-soluble nutrient with a unique molecular structure that gives it not only superior antioxidant capabilities, but also anti-inflammatory and immune-regulating properties. Mera Pharmaceuticals has formulated AstaFactor which delivers an exceptionally pure and potent, high quality 100% natural astaxanthin.

Antioxidants, help protect cells from damage caused by free radicals. The antioxidants work together to protect against oxidative stress, they tackle and neutralize free radicals rendering them harmless, and allowing them to be easily eliminated from the body. Astaxanthin has been shown in many experiments to be one of the most powerful antioxidants known to science.

Astaxanthin has superior antioxidant capabilities, it is one of the most powerful antioxidants that can be absorbed by the human body. Because of its small molecular weight, astaxanthin can cross the blood brain barrier and travel and produce beneficial effects throughout the body in the high stress inflammatory areas such as the joints, the heart, the brain, the eyes, and the skin. Its small molecular structure enables it to attach to both the outer and inner surfaces of cell membranes, thus strengthening and protecting them from free radical attack and promoting health at the cellular level, a pre-requisite for overall optimal health.

Oxidative stress can contribute to sore muscles and stiff joints in the same manner that rust attacks and damages bare metal. It also affects our energy levels and endurance. Both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis have been linked to oxidative stress. All of these conditions: exercise-induced muscle damage, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, possess both inflammatory and oxidative stress components.

Studies show that astaxanthin, the active ingredient in AstaFactor, has up to 500 times more antioxidant activity than vitamin E and 10 times more than beta-carotene. Research also indicates that astaxanthin may be up to 10 times more effective than other carotenoids such as canthaxanthin, lutein, lycopene, and zeaxanthin.

The blood brain barrier is a dense network of capillary walls that are wrapped around the brain to prevent harmful bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other substances from entering the brain, while allowing access to neurotransmitters and nutrients that nourish the brain. Astaxanthin, with a molecular weight of 597 Daltons, readily crosses the blood brain barrier to boost the antioxidant level of the central nervous system, including the eyes and the brain.