Study finds seniors with sarcopenia-derived muscle loss improve with new proprietary natural astaxanthin formulation
Findings indicate a formulation containing AstaReal® natural astaxanthin provides a 40% increase in endurance and significantly improves muscle function loss in the patients enrolled in the study.
BURLINGTON, N.J., Oct. 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The AstaReal Group, a pioneer and expert in the field of natural astaxanthin, has announced the results of a randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled study on the effectiveness of a new medical protocol to improve muscular function.1 Sarcopenia affects nearly a quarter of adults older than 60.2 The study investigated the restoration of muscle loss and improvement of functional decline in elderly people with sarcopenia.
Sarcopenia is the loss of muscle mass associated with aging. It starts at about 40 and, for most people, progressively accelerates after the age of 65, affecting muscle size, strength and performance. It can diminish a person's ability to do everyday activities such as lifting objects and climbing stairs.
The 4-month study investigated individuals aged 65–82 in two groups. The first group received AstaMed MYO™, a formula that contains AstaReal® natural astaxanthin, and an interval exercise training protocol. The control group was prescribed the exercise training protocol only. Over a 4-month span, treatment recipients experienced a 40% increase in endurance, a 14% increase in muscle strength and an 8% increase in mobility. There was no muscle strength improvement in the group that undertook exercise alone.
"We saw improvements in strength, endurance and mobility among the study participants who took astaxanthin medicinal formula with a moderate exercise plan," said Kevin Conley, PhD, the study's lead investigator and a professor of radiology at the University of Washington School of Medicine. In the study, Conley disclosed that he has received research funds from, and is a scientific adviser to, Astavita Inc., which is a member of the AstaReal Group. "This gives clinicians an option for their patients who cannot make the substantial lifestyle changes required to halt the crippling impact of muscle loss," Conley said.
Christopher Michio Imanaka, Brand Manager of AstaReal Inc. USA, said: "The AstaReal Group has continued to be the authority in natural astaxanthin human clinical research, which encompasses multiple health applications. AstaReal has been dedicated to undertaking activities that follow our strong belief that natural astaxanthin has unlimited potential to support nutrition and human health, most notably through our extensive clinical research. The findings of this study are thrilling as they show that AstaReal® Natural Astaxanthin can play a huge role in supporting muscle strength, endurance, and mobility; thus combatting the effects of debilitating conditions such as sarcopenia."
This study was supported by Astavita Inc., National Institutes of Health grants (T32AG000057, UL1TR000423, 1S10OD016201, K23DK099442), the Department of Radiology and Office of the Provost at the University of Washington, and the Prevention Center at the Fred Hutchison Cancer Research Center.
About AstaReal Group
The AstaReal Group companies are wholly owned subsidiaries of the Japanese pharmaceutical company, Fuji Chemical Group. The group uses AstaReal® as the global brand name for their natural algae astaxanthin products.
As a global pioneer and expert in natural astaxanthin cultivation, R&D and clinical science, the company offers a variety of specialized astaxanthin formats to help meet customer requirements when developing supplements, cosmetics and pet feed. AstaReal is Kosher, Halal, ISO 9001:2008 and HACCP certified and produces natural astaxanthin at facilities in Sweden, USA and Japan. To effectively service the global market, AstaReal has sales and marketing offices located in Sweden, USA, Japan, Singapore, India and most recently Australia.
The AstaReal Group has distinguished roots, spinning off from Uppsala University in Sweden, one of the world's most prestigious academies, in the late 1980s. In the early 1990s, the company established its first cultivation facility in Gustavsberg, Sweden. In 1995, AstaReal launched Astaxin® – the first human nutritional supplement containing a natural source of astaxanthin. To meet the growing needs of the global natural astaxanthin market, AstaReal established a second cultivation facility, in 2014, located in Moses Lake, USA.
For further information, please visit: www.AstaRealUSA.com
1Liu SZ et al.: Building strength, endurance, and mobility using an astaxanthin formulation with functional training in elderly. Journal of Cachexia, Sarcopenia and Muscle. Sep 2018, 10.1002/jcsm.12318.
2Han A et al.: Diagnostic Criteria and Clinical Outcomes in Sarcopenia Research: A Literature Review. J. Clin. Med. 2018, 7, 70; doi:10.3390/jcm7040070
SOURCE AstaReal Group
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