A new clinical study in active women shows that astaxanthin increased fat burning during moderate exercise. The effect was observed after just two weeks of supplementation, with no increase in heart rate, blood lactate levels or perceived exertion.
“The results show that the body was able to perform the same amount of work while using more fat and less of its limited carbohydrate stores as fuel. This points to more efficient energy utilization and further supports the potential of astaxanthin in sports nutrition,” says Behnaz Shakersain, Scientific Affairs Manager at AstaReal AB.
The study, published in the Journal of Dietary Supplements, included 20 recreationally active women with an average age of 22 years. The randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study provided participants with 12 mg of AstaReal® Astaxanthin per day for two weeks. They then completed a graded cycling test at intensities ranging from 40 to 65 percent of their maximum power.
The researchers measured the participants’ respiratory exchange ratio (RER), the ratio of carbon dioxide produced to oxygen consumed. RER is used to assess the relative contribution of fat and carbohydrates as fuel during physical activity.
“RER was significantly lower after astaxanthin supplementation compared with placebo during submaximal cycling. Findings suggest that participants who received astaxanthin used more fat and less carbohydrate as fuel during moderate exercise.”
“Previous research on astaxanthin in sports nutrition has largely been conducted in men. Women generally rely more heavily on fat as a fuel source during physical activity, so the fact that astaxanthin further increased fat utilization makes these findings particularly interesting. The study broadens our understanding of astaxanthin’s potential in sports nutrition and its effects in women,” says Behnaz Shakersain, Scientific Affairs Manager at AstaReal AB.