I have been a T1D diabetics for 48 years and am 65 now. I stay active, eat well and have managed to keep my A1c’s between 5.5 and 6 just using multiple daily injections (no pump) and CGM. With that I have no shown any detriment effects because of my diabetes including retinopathy or nerve damage. My PCP Doctor and Opthamologist are amazed and Opthamologist says he has not seen a T1D with no signs of retinopathy that has had it over 20 years!
I believe that is mainly due to good blood glucose control but I also have been taking a supplement called Astaxanthin for 10 years now that several research studies show is good for the health of the eyes and preventing retinopathy. It is also good for preventing skin damage and is a very potent antioxidant. IMO if I only took one supplement for anti-aging and preventing diabetic side-effects this would be it! I suggest consulting your own Doctor and looking into the medical research to make a decision on whether to try it. There are many brands on Amazon and suggest choosing a popular one with good reviews and is independently lab test for potency.
A supplement that can help protect your eyes from retinopathy plus other diabetic and aging benefits
That study was done in rodents. Got any studies showing it works in most humans?
There are several other studies specifically on eyes and much more in other areas that’s why I suggest people look at all the positive research. I also think I am a pretty good case study, 48 year T1D with no signs of retinopathy or neuropathy. Also look at all the thousands of reviews on Amazon for the top selling brands averaging around 4.5 out of 5. Also the safety is well proven. My main concern is buying a “quality” source in which the lots are lab tested for potency. There is also a lot of junk brands selling at a cheaper cost for a reason. Best of health!
Also from Copilot AI asking the “Benefits of Astaxanthin for Diabetes and Aging”
Astaxanthin is a powerhouse antioxidant with some intriguing benefits for both diabetes management and healthy aging:
For Diabetics:
*Improved Blood Sugar Control: Studies suggest astaxanthin may help lower blood glucose levels and improve insulin sensitivity, especially in type 2 diabetes.
*Reduced Oxidative Stress: Diabetes is linked to high oxidative stress, which can damage cells. Astaxanthin helps neutralize free radicals, potentially protecting against complications like neuropathy and retinopathy.
*Cholesterol and Lipid Support: It may help reduce LDL cholesterol and improve lipid profiles, which is crucial for cardiovascular health in diabetics.
For Aging:
*Cellular Protection: Astaxanthin is one of the most potent natural antioxidants, up to 6,000 times stronger than vitamin, helping to protect DNA and cell membranes from age-related damage.
*Skin Health: It supports skin elasticity and hydration, and may reduce wrinkles and age spots when taken orally or used topically.
*Brain and Eye Support: Its anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects may help preserve cognitive function and eye health, both of which are vulnerable to aging.
*Bone and Joint Health: Astaxanthin may reduce cartilage loss and support bone density, potentially helping with conditions like osteoarthritis.
It’s generally well-tolerated, but as with any supplement, it’s smart to check with a healthcare provider—especially if you’re managing diabetes or taking medications.
References included in the link
Normally, I look critically at this kind of post, but in fairness, I looked at it myself. I in no way support using it, as deeper research might find that this is deeply flawed. Regardless, the prompt should be neutral, not leading. LLMs are known to be sycophantic. Anyway, here is a formatted version, from an open-ended prompt to Gemini, “effect of Astaxanthin as related to diabetes and aging, in humans”:
Astaxanthin is a powerful carotenoid with potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which are believed to be the primary mechanisms behind its potential benefits related to diabetes and aging in humans.1
Here’s a breakdown of its reported effects:
Astaxanthin and Diabetes:
- Improved Insulin Sensitivity and Glucose Metabolism: 2 Studies suggest astaxanthin may help improve how the body uses insulin, leading to better glucose uptake by cells and reduced blood sugar levels.3 This has been observed in both animal models and some human studies, including those with prediabetes and type 2 diabetes.4
- Reduced Oxidative Stress and Inflammation: Diabetes is often characterized by increased oxidative stress and inflammation, which can damage cells and contribute to complications.5 Astaxanthin’s strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects can help counteract these processes, protecting various tissues and cells (e.g., pancreatic beta-cells, endothelial cells).6
- Positive Impact on Lipid Profiles: Some research indicates that astaxanthin can help improve lipid profiles by reducing LDL (“bad”) cholesterol and triglycerides, and increasing HDL (“good”) cholesterol.7 These improvements are crucial for cardiovascular health, which is often compromised in individuals with diabetes.
- Protection Against Diabetic Complications: Animal studies suggest astaxanthin may offer protective effects against common diabetic complications like retinopathy (eye damage), nephropathy (kidney damage), and neuropathy (nerve damage) by reducing oxidative stress and inflammation in these tissues.8
- Cognitive Function: There’s some evidence that astaxanthin supplementation might positively affect cognitive function in individuals with type 2 diabetes, potentially by reducing inflammation and oxidative stress in the brain.9
Astaxanthin and Aging:
- Powerful Antioxidant Activity: As we age, our bodies accumulate oxidative damage due to an imbalance between harmful free radicals and protective antioxidants.10 Astaxanthin is considered one of the most potent natural antioxidants, effectively neutralizing reactive oxygen species and protecting cells from damage.11 This is a core mechanism for its anti-aging potential.
- Skin Health: Astaxanthin has shown promising effects on skin aging.12 Human studies suggest it can:
- Improve skin elasticity and moisture.
- Reduce wrinkle formation and the appearance of age spots.
- Protect against UV-induced skin damage.
- Enhance overall skin texture.13
- Cognitive Health: Astaxanthin can cross the blood-brain barrier, allowing it to exert protective effects on the brain.14 Research suggests it may:
- Improve cognitive functions, such as memory, particularly in younger or middle-aged adults.15
- Reduce oxidative stress and inflammation in the brain, which are implicated in neurodegenerative processes.16
- Cardiovascular Health: By reducing oxidative stress, inflammation, and improving lipid profiles, astaxanthin may contribute to healthy heart function and potentially reduce the risk of age-related cardiovascular diseases.17
- Eye Health: The eyes are particularly vulnerable to oxidative stress.18 Astaxanthin has been shown to protect against UV radiation damage and may benefit conditions like macular degeneration and eye strain.19
- Muscle Strength and Function: Some studies have shown that astaxanthin can improve muscle size and strength, and enhance mobility in elderly subjects, especially when combined with exercise.20
Important Considerations:
- Dosage: While there’s no universally established dosage, studies often use doses ranging from 4 mg to 12 mg per day. The FDA has approved doses up to 12 mg per day.21
- Safety: Astaxanthin is generally considered safe, with few reported side effects (e.g., increased bowel movements, red stool color, stomach pain at high doses).22
- Interactions: Individuals on blood pressure medication should exercise caution as astaxanthin may help lower blood pressure.23
- Further Research: While promising, much of the research on astaxanthin’s effects in humans is from small or short-term studies. More large-scale, long-term clinical trials are needed to fully confirm its benefits and optimal usage for diabetes and aging.
In summary, astaxanthin’s powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties make it a compelling compound with potential benefits for mitigating aspects of both diabetes and the aging process in humans, particularly concerning metabolic health, skin integrity, and cognitive function.24
Here’s what WebMD has to say. It’s not very long. Doesn’t seem dangerous. There are some drug interactions, specifically drugs that are broken down in the liver. It reminds me of warnings about grapefruit. Also note it says there is no good scientific evidence for the benefits. I read that as independent peer reviewed studies or clinical trials. That’s not unusual for supplements given the expense that almost certainly would not be covered by sales. It doesn’t mention any complications from diabetes, but the list of very brief and ends with “and many others.”
Thanks for the link on Webmd. I don’t agree there is no scientific evidence of the benefits. There is a lot of research that has been done on the benefits of Astaxanthin and we are finding out more and more everyday. I only provided one link to it’s protective effects on retinopathy. Interesting reading the user reviews on Webmd and I can attest that I have seen the positive affects many are claiming after using it for 10 years. Besides the preventative effects on retinopathy, I have noticed is my age related close up vision has improved but not totally reversed. Also don’t expect miracles overnight but in 5-6 months I believe you will start to notice a difference in your skin quality, like my age spots have reduced and I don’t sunburn easily and I live in any area of Mexico with over 300 days of sunshine. I take 12 mg a day (Webmd says 4-18 mg and FDA up to 12 mg is safe) of a brand that is independently lab certified for potency. There is a lot of cheap junk brands out there that claim to have 12 mg of Astaxanthin but reviews using lab measurements show it only has a fraction of that so it’s no wonder reviews of those brands find no benefits.
I am not a supplement fanatic and only take several basic ones considered safe and minimum daily requirement has been established but seriously we all know the health benefits of salmon and it is full of astaxanthin just not enough to establish the full benefit in humans and to what the studies show is needed.
Oh, I think we can infer a lot from the studies that have been done and other evidence, like salmon. And I haven’t read the studies that are out there. I’m not saying the information is bad or misleading. But I expect before WebMD and/or doctors give a full endorsement, the studies are going to be next level and repeated. They’re a lot good supplements in that range.
There have been a few supplements that were all the rage for a time that turned out to be harmful. I don’t think this is one of those at all.
Cheers!