AstaReal, a global supplier of the marine carotenoid astaxanthin, recently announced that its astaxanthin ingredient has received a U.S. patent relevant to personal nutrition applications of natural astaxanthin in supplements, functional foods, and functional beverages.
 
Precision nutrition products are tailored to an individual’s characteristic needs and goals, and are aimed at long-term health. “This is an exciting new path for AstaReal Astaxanthin, addressing the growing contribution of nutrigenomics to the supplement and functional foods market,” Arun Nair, AstaReal USA Inc. CEO, said.
 
(Read more about Astaxanthin as an Antioxidant Powerhouse by clicking here.)

Nutrients and bioactive molecules such as astaxanthin can directly interact with metabolic pathways, fuel growth, and modulate gene expression, the company said, and AstaReal’s new patent applies to personalized nutrition products aimed at maintaining mobility and healthy muscles. This preventive healthcare approach is relevant to individuals concerned with age-related muscular conditions such as sarcopenia, muscles prone to injury (athletes), and unloaded muscles. The patent highlights research in which AstaReal Astaxanthin was able to lower rates of muscle atrophy in response to muscle denervation and nerve injury. AstaReal Astaxanthin shifted gene expression profiles to favor the maintenance of healthy muscle mass.
 
“The demand for customized nutrition is on the rise, and this AstaReal Astaxanthin patent represents an opportunity to engage in the growing consumer awareness of science-based supplements and their role in tailored nutritional solutions,” Dr. Karen Hecht, AstaReal USA Inc. scientific affairs manager, said.