Astaxanthin is one of the most powerful antioxidants yet discovered. Astaxanthin is a member of the carotenoid family of compounds. Animals cannot synthesize carotenoids and thus all natural carotenoids are first made in plants. Astaxanthin is the most commonly found carotenoid in the marine biosystem. Accordingly, it is recognizable as the pigment found in the flesh of salmon. As an antioxidant, astaxanthin has been shown to be up to 500 times more powerful than Vitamin E and more than 10 times as potent as beta-carotene. Lutein, a carotenoid similar to astaxanthin is also much less potent. As an antioxidant, astaxanthin was shows in ORAC testing to be 5 times more potent.

A variety of human and animal clinical studies have shown significant health benefits from astaxanthin. Because astaxanthin freely crosses the blood-brain and blood-retina barriers, astaxanthin can readily neutralize free-radicals and other reactive species in the eye and nervous system. Protection of the eye and brain tissue from oxidative stress could potentially provide valuable support for both eye and brain health. Astaxanthin was also found to be a powerful modulator on the immune function in a randomized, placebo controlled, double-blind human study. Similar animal studies also showed that astaxanthin stimulates the immune system in animals. Likewise, when looking at the protective effects of UV light on cells, astaxanthin was found to be 1000 times more effective than both beta-carotene and lutein. Astaxanthin was also found to have excellent benefits for the cardiovascular system. By inducing enzymes that metabolize foreign compounds, astaxanthin helps the body to naturally "detoxify." One of the most remarkable recent discoveries found that astaxanthin significantly reduced the amount of DNA damage found in humans.

In summary, astaxanthin has been found to:

• Offer eye support (a patented application: patent 5,527,533)
• Support nervous system health
• Keep a strong normal immune system
• Help protect the skin from UV damage
• Maintain healthy DNA

Transfer Point’s astaxanthin is manufactured from the microalgae Haematococcus pluvialis grown in closed culture using ultrapure water. Once the tough cell wall of the algae is cracked open it is highly unstable and must be extracted immediately. Valensa utilizes a proprietary extraction process to yield a stabilized and standardized 7% oleoresin. The 7% extracted oleoresin contains an astaxanthin complex composed of approximately:

• 85-90% astaxanthin
• 2% lutein
• 2% ß-carotene
• 6% various other carotenoids including small amounts of canthaxanthin

A new natural source of Vitamin E

Cranberry seed oil is highly stable and may be the richest known source of tocotrienols – up to six times higher than palm oil. Tocotrienols are part of the Vitamin E family, but far more potent than the tocopherols.

In addition, the rich, highly unsaturated oils are balanced -- omega-3 fatty acids and omega-6 fatty acids -- exist in approximately a 1:1 ratio.