Phytoplankton & Glaucoma

Carotenoids are known for preventing eye diseases such as glaucoma. These substances, rich in anti-oxidants, are in many vegetables, including tomatoes, carrot sand corn, and also in some kinds of phytoplankton or micro-algae.

Carotenoids

• Plants and other photosynthetic organisms, such phytoplankton, produce more than 600 different types of carotenoids, of which there are two groups: xanthophylls (containing oxygen) and carotenes (containing no oxygen).

  Carotenoids are organic pigments, normally yellow, red and orange. Scientists can also produce them in a laboratory, says Dr. John Minatelli.

Astaxanthin

• Astaxanthin is a red-orange carotenoid found in the pigments of salmon, crab, krill and in the micro-alga Haematococcus pluvialis, one of the richest sources of the substance.

  Astaxanthin's high antioxidant potential is related to ocular health and the prevention of glaucoma, cancer and neuro-degenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's. The substance is one of few carotenoids able to cross the blood-brain barrier, being available to the eyes and other organs.

Protection Mechanism

• Haematococcus pluvialis produces astaxanthin to protect itself from ultraviolet radiation from the sun.

  In the eye, Astaxanthin works in a similar way, protecting the human retina (the internal skin in contact with the optical nerve) from environmental damage.

Glaucoma

• Glaucoma is a serious disease that causes progressive, irreversible loss of vision through nerve damage if not treated. According to the National Eye Institute, as the only symptom is the gradual loss of vision, frequent check-ups are advisable to avoid the disease. Glaucoma is the leading cause of blindness among African-Americans. However, if detected early enough, it is possible to stop its development through surgery and laser treatment.

Commercialization

• Apart from its use in the medical industry, Astaxanthin is also a colorant in animal and fish foods, under the approval of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).