Astaxanthin is a unique carotenoid compound found in abundance in marine environments, particularly in algae. Astaxanthin is what gives red algae its colour and subsequently salmon their pink flesh when they consume the algae. Astaxanthin is considered a far more powerful antioxidant than beta-carotene or vitamin E, because unlike most other antioxidants, it does not create a free radical itself after quenching one, and can therefore quench numerous radicals in a row. This allows it to protect cell membrane lipids from free radical damage.
