A clinical trial of BioAstin, the natural astaxanthin product made from microalgae, has shown that the product can significantly reduce joint pain and improve physical performance in people with rheumatoid arthritis, according to the supplement's maker, Cyanotech Corporation.
The Hawaii-based company said that the double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study was carried out at the Health Research and Studies Center in Los Altos, California, and the full results of the research will be presented at the College of Nutrition scientific meeting in October 2002.
Natural astaxanthin is a powerful antioxidant, some 500 times stronger than vitamin E and 10 times stronger than beta-carotene, according to Cyanotech. Arthritis sufferers have inflamed joints caused by oxidative stress - in turn caused by free radicals. Antioxidants such as astaxanthin can 'mop up' these free radicals and thus help relieve the pain.
"This study, combined with the results of other studies showing positive effects from using BioAstin on carpal tunnel syndrome and knee soreness, adds to the growing body of scientific evidence that BioAstin offers a viable natural alternative for persons who suffer from a variety of joint pains," said Gerald R. Cysewski, chairman, president and CEO of Cyanotech.
"These results should provide Twinlab Corporation and other major dietary supplement companies that are beginning to include, or plan to include, BioAstin in their products with further scientific support to develop products for the $6.8 billion (€7.4bn) joint health market."