FDBusiness.com

The Natural Algae Astaxanthin Association (NAXA) has obtained further comparative antioxidant testing results from a leading antioxidant testing laboratory showing that artificial astaxanthin produced from petrochemicals has vastly inferior antioxidant potential than natural astaxanthin from Haematococcus microalgae.  The results showed that algae-based astaxanthin was superior to DSM’s AstaSana in different antioxidant tests; the range was from 9 times more active against peroxyl radicals to over 100 times more active against singlet oxygen.

Questions remain not only about the efficacy of artificial astaxanthin, but also about its safety and regulatory status.  Dr. Corish concluded, “There has not been one published safety study on direct human consumption of this synthesized molecule and it hasn’t gone through the FDA’s NDI (New Dietary Ingredient) process.  Frankly, we’re amazed that DSM launched it in the US market without going through these necessary steps.”