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Learn the truth about our color!

In recent weeks Salmon of the America's (sota) has monitored misleading information on farmed salmon and how they attain their beautiful pink color. Our association wants to point out the science behind the carotenoid that gives farmed salmon its color; astaxanthin. The health benefits and powerful antioxidant qualities of astaxanthin have been known and researched for years. Please forward these studies and informative information to those interested in our industry and the science behind the production of such a wonderful protein; ocean farmed salmon.

Carrots get their characteristic color from a carotenoid called beta-carotene, a nutrient found in nature. The feed given to farmed salmon includes the same class of nutrients, which brings out their own distinctive pink color and helps ensure their natural growth and development. These nutrients are identical to those eaten by wild fish.

Visit our websites at www.salmonoftheamericas.com and www.salmonfacts.org

Science looks rosy for astaxanthin and stomach health.

The pigment that gives salmon its pink colour may reduce the symptoms of indigestion and heartburn, says a new study. A high dose (40 mg) of the carotenoid was found to significantly reduce to heartburn, and the effects were mostly pronounced in people infected with the Helicobacter pylori bacterium that causes stomach ulcers, according to research published in the journal Phytomedicine. Click to read the entire study.

Astaxanthin; Breakthrough skincare: 7 ingredients to watch in 2009

Every year new ingredients hit the market with promises of revolutionizing skin-care products and tapping the elusive Fountain of Youth. At times, they deliver, and substances such as retinol or peptides exceed expectations and change the landscape of skin care. Others fizzle with little or no impact. We’ve polled more than 25 experts and asked them which ingredients are worth watching (and buying) in 2009.

Astaxanthin; What it is: Described as the ultimate antioxidant by New York dermatologist Dr. Kenneth Mark, astaxanthin is up to 1,000 times more potent than vitamin E. It is also found in nature as the fat-soluble pigment found in salmon and algae.

Why it looks promising: "This is a retinoid form of vitamin A and has all the typical benefits of retinoids — providing antioxidant protection and stimulating cell renewal," Murad says. And according to a recent study, astaxanthin decreased hyper-pigmentation by more than 40%, Mark says. Click to read more, or download the PDF version here.

A Powerful Antioxidant

Astaxanthin is a carotenoid (like beta-carotene), a long chain molecular pigment, that is extracted from a tropical microalgae strain called Haematococcus pluvialis. It is the molecule that gives color to salmon and some crustaceans. It has 500 times the antioxidant potency of vitamin E and 10 times the activity of beta-carotene.

Studies show that antioxidants like astaxanthin reduce the amount of oxidized (free radical) LDL-cholesterol. Oxidized LDL-cholesterol is implicated in the formation of plaques inside arteries that lead to heart disease, blood clots and strokes.

Other research reveals that astaxanthin reduces the amount of inflammation-induced cardiac cell death that occurs whenever a blood clot blocks the blood supply to an area of the heart. Click to get more details: http://www.beta-glucan-info.com/astaxanthin_facts.htm