NOW Foods Supplements, Astaxanthin 4 mg derived from Non-GMO Haematococcus Pluvialis Microalgae and has naturally occurring Lutein, Canthaxanthin and Beta-Carotene, 90 Softgels

I have degenerative joint disease, something I was born with but didn't know I had until a few years ago when my orthopedic surgeon told me so. After looking at the x-ray for my hips, he said I can't believe you walked into my office. Anyway, years later after surgery on one hip (the other one still needs replacing), I can tell you for a fact that this four-milligram astaxanthin product actually WORKS! (emphasis added). I was so upset after wasting hundreds of dollars on ineffective products. After about 30 of these pills, along with 1,000 milligrams of the NOW brand Krill oil, I could actually FEEL the difference. None of the so-called "joint supplements" worked: Osteo-Bi-Flex, Flex-a-Min, Glucosamine, Chondroitin and MSM supplements were all just wasted money.What turned me on to astaxanthin is that it is 800 times more powerful, and about 1/10 the cost of, very expensive CO-Q10, and thousands of times more effective (6,000 times) than Vitamin C in its anti-oxidant properties--so much so, that I only need to take Celebrex once or twice a week instead of once or twice a day due to the debilitating pain I felt. It's good to know there is a truly effective product like NOW brand astaxanthin that is really doing its work against the damaging, and very painful, effects of free radicals.All of the other supplements simply do not compare to the effectiveness of this product, including a myriad of herbal supplements that really didn't do anything. Absolutely recommended if you have arthritis or some other form of inflammatory disease, provided your doctor agrees.On top of everything else, if the anti-inflammatory benefits were not enough, this product is many times stronger and more effective than a 20-mg supplement (which I still use) of Lutein, meaning, I have the added benefit of actually reversing my macular degeneration. I am literally seeing things ten times farther away than I was five years ago, before I knew about astaxanthin and Lutein, and things are crystal clear now instead of blurry. I am actually enjoying a hobby that I used to do when I was about 12, that is, painting. Now I can actually see the fine details that I paint, instead of a blurry canvas with no details. That's nothing short of a miracle for me.This product, Lutein (any 20-mg, but I like Jarrow and Nature's Bounty), Krill Oil (NOW 1,000 mg), Turmeric (NOW 500-mg), Sea Cucumber powder (Swanson's 500-mg) and a good daily vitamin (Centrum Silver) are among the products in my cabinet that I will never run out of. When I'm over 100, I'll testify to that effect. Of course, that won't be until 2061, but I will get back to you.

This product has been effective at minimizing cell damage and breakdown, I haven noticed significantly healthier skin and hair and fewer grays! I am not saying it has eliminated my gray hairs, but has definitely decreased the amount that have appeared since I started taking this supplement! I highly recommend reading about it further...Astaxanthin is a carotenoid, a chemical found naturally in certain plants and animals. A type of algae makes astaxanthin. This algae is used as a source for the astaxanthin in supplements.Some types of seafood also contain astaxanthin.Astaxanthin gives salmon and lobster their reddish color, and flamingo feathers their pink hue.Why do people take astaxanthin?Astaxanthin is an antioxidant. That means it helps reduce a natural process in your body called oxidation. This process may play a role in many diseases and changes such as:AgingCancerHeart diseaseEye diseases like cataracts and macular degenerationAlzheimer's diseaseParkinson's diseaseAstaxanthin can also reduce inflammation. It might be useful as a treatment for problems that involve inflammation, such as:Rheumatoid arthritisCarpal tunnel syndromeLaboratory research has found that an extract from algae that makes astaxanthin slowed the growth of breast and skin cancer cells.Astaxanthin might help the heart in a number of ways, as well. It may be helpful in preventing plaque buildup in arteries in the heart.

This pill did for me what thousands of dollars on dermatologists and acne treatments couldn’t. I’m still shocked. I initially started taking this supplement because I was concerned about the sun exposure I was getting on vacation. The first few weeks I didn’t notice a difference. But by week one I started noticing the cystic acne on my chin was starting to go down. By week 2 my hyperpigmentation was beginning to resolve. It is now week 4/5 of this supplement and I am HOOKED. My skin is COMPLETELY clear. No redness, brighter, tighter and smoother. Additionally, I’ve been sleeping better and has also helped resolve some of the gum inflammation I get. Downside is it can make my periods more painful but otherwise no complaints.