In those with dementia, free radicals cause a harmful chemical build-up in red blood cells. Doctors in one study said that astaxanthin, a powerful red-yellow carotenoid antioxidant, helps prevent this build-up.
Thirty healthy adults, aged 50 to 69, took 6 mg or 12 mg of astaxanthin per day or a placebo. After 12 weeks, compared to placebo, both astaxanthin groups had less harmful chemical build-up and higher levels of astaxanthin in red blood cells.
Reference: British Journal of Nutrition; 2011 June, Vol. 105, No. 11, 1563-71