Ingredients & Label Transparency Premium raw ingredients exclusively sourced from trusted suppliers who meet our rigorous testing and quality criteria Each ingredient and final product is independently tested for potency and purity Ingredients and allergens clearly listed on supplement facts label All two-piece capsules are hypoallergenic and vegetarian Manufacturing Manufactured locally in our own state-of-the-art facility in Sudbury, Massachusetts Our warehouse is climate controlled and each piece of equipment is dismantled and sterilized before every production run Every step of our manufacturing process exceeds the requirements for nutritional supplement manufacturing GMO Policy All Pure Encapsulations ingredients are GMO free.†  †All Pure Encapsulations ingredients, including those derived from corn, are GMO free. We obtain statements from each of our suppliers certifying that the ingredients do not contain GMOs. For some nutrients, we conduct testing to confirm the absence of genetically modified material.   Product Description Derived from Haematococcus pluvialis microalgae cultivated under pristine conditions, esterfied astaxanthin is a stable, powerful, fat-soluble antioxidant from the carotenoid family. Haematococcus algae produces astaxanthin to protect itself against ultraviolet-induced free radical damage. Astaxanthin is different from beta-carotene in that it has two additional oxygenated groups on Each of its ring structures, enhancing its ability to scavenge free radicals. It is believed to be several hundred times more effective than vitamin E in neutralizing singlet oxygen molecules and has been shown to exert greater antioxidant activity than both zeaxanthin and lutein. Astaxanthin protects the phospholipid membranes of cells from oxidative damage. In a recent U.S. study, it demonstrated the ability to cross the blood brain barrier and protect the retina in animals, suggesting its potential for supporting the brain and nervous system from free radical damage. Initial trials with astaxanthin suggest that it may boost the skin's natural antioxidant defenses against ultraviolet induced free radicals. In a human clinical evaluation, supplementation with astaxanthin for two weeks provided significant antioxidant protection for the skin. In cell cultures, astaxanthin provided greater protection than both beta-carotene and lutein, in part by supporting catalase and superoxide dismutase activity. Astaxanthin may also moderate the activity of polyamines generated by exposure to sunlight. In one double-blind placebo controlled trial, astaxanthin significantly supported joint comfort in human volunteers. The results of another human clinical trial suggest that astaxanthin supported knee comfort and joint function after strenuous leg exercises. Subjects in a third study using astaxanthin reported enhanced wrist nerve comfort.