It's inevitable that osteoarticular problems will arise over the years. Osteoarthritis and joint pain are very common pathologies. According to the Portuguese League against Rheumatic Diseases, in Portugal, rheumatic diseases have a prevalence of 56%.
The most common symptoms are swelling, pain, stiffness and reduced range of movement. They usually worsen over time, turning into chronic pain, difficulty walking or climbing stairs and an inability to carry out daily activities.
Most prescription drugs don't act on the cause of joint inflammation or degeneration, they just mask the pain and reduce inflammation temporarily. Therefore, the ideal is to find a solution that treats the problem more effectively, such as eating a balanced diet and taking a astaxanthin-based supplements.
So having an active lifestyle is possible, albeit challenging.
Below we'll explain how astaxanthin helps the human body to age more healthily by reducing oxidative stress, inflammation and weakening of the bones.
Astaxanthin for the joints
One of the most popular supplements for pain today is astaxanthin. This reddish-coloured antioxidant is obtained naturally from microalgae. Haematococcus pluvialis, acts as an anti-inflammatory in cells and cell metabolism. When consumed correctly, it is able to neutralise the free radicals that damage joints.
A study comparing astaxanthin with other carotenoids proved that this substance is the most powerful in its antioxidant action. This is due to its ability to bind to all the cells, tissues and organs in our body.
It also has a great advantage in that it doesn't become a pro-oxidant when consumed in high concentrations, as other antioxidants do. This characteristic makes it a perfect supplement for joint pain, among other pathologies, and is the reason for its great popularity in recent years.
Prevents joint problems
Astaxanthin reduces oxidative stress in the body and fights inflammation, thus preventing the development of joint problems such as arthritis, osteoarthritis and other chronic diseases.
In addition, to prevent and treat joint pain, it is important to avoid excess weight.
By following a balanced and varied diet that contains vitamin C (broccoli, kiwi and others), vitamin D (salmon, eggs, milk and others), some minerals such as calcium (legumes, green leafy vegetables and others), phosphorus (cheese, seafood, chocolate and others), magnesium (bananas, spinach and others) and silicon (whole grains, carrots, grapes and others) joint problems can be minimised.
Therefore, if we manage to maintain a balanced diet, consume at least two litres of water a day, do moderate exercise and take astaxanthin supplements, we can relieve or prevent joint pain.