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Astaxanthin builds strength, endurance, and enhances mobility in the elderly

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eMediNexus Editorial    28 February 2020

Increasing age is associated with a progressive loss of mobility. Exercise training is important to delay or reverse sarcopenia. Resistance training (RT) is highly beneficial to treat muscle wasting, while endurance training is beneficial for exercise intolerance.

Dietary supplements seem to improve both strength and endurance. Anti‐inflammatory supplements improve strength when combined with training in the elderly. Antioxidant supplements tend to improve endurance.

Astaxanthin is a natural product that possesses both antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory properties. It has been shown to increase both strength and endurance. A study by Liu et al assessed a formulation containing astaxanthin, with both anti‐inflammatory and antioxidant properties, in association with exercise in the elderly. The study included42 subjects, 65-82 years of age, given a daily oral dose of the supplement with interval walking exercise on an incline treadmill. Study participants were given astaxanthin or placebo for 4 months and received training for 3 months with increasing intervals of incline walking. Investigators assessed maximal voluntary force (MVC) in ankle dorsiflexion exercise, and tibialis anterior muscle size (cross‐sectional area, CSA). Treatment and training were associated with greater endurance (exercise time in incline walking, >50%) and distance in 6 min walk (>8%). Astaxanthin treatment was associated with increases in MVC by 14.4%, CSA by 2.7%, and specific force by 11.6% (MVC/CSA),while there was no change in these parametersin the placebo group.

Astaxanthin was thus found to enhance muscle strength and CSA in the elderly besides improving endurance and walking distance. We can deduce from this evidence that exercise training and a formulation of anti‐inflammatory and antioxidant compounds, such as astaxanthin, can improve muscle strength and size in the elderly.

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