Daily supplementation using a natural pigment called astaxanthin -- the same coloring that gives flamingos their pink appearance -- can reduce the accumulation of phospholipid hydroperoxides.
These compounds accumulate in the red blood cells of people who suffer from dementia, and scientists now believe that astaxanthin could help prevent dementia, including Alzheimer's.
About 5.4 million Americans suffer from Alzheimer's disease, and that number is only expected to go up in coming years.
According to a study in the British Journal of Nutrition:
"After 12 weeks of treatment, erythrocyte astaxanthin concentrations were higher in both the 6 and 12 mg astaxanthin groups than in the placebo group. In contrast, erythrocyte [phospholipid hydroperoxide] concentrations were lower in the astaxanthin groups than in the placebo group ...
These results suggest that astaxanthin supplementation results in improved erythrocyte antioxidant status and decreased [phospholipid hydroperoxide] levels, which may contribute to the prevention of dementia."
Sources: British Journal of Nutrition January 31, 2011
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