author = {Biswal, Sasmita.}, title = {{Oxidative stress and astaxanthin: The novel supernutrient carotenoid}}, journal ={International Journal of Health & Allied Sciences}, volume ={3}, number ={3}, pages = {147-153}, doi = {10.4103/2278-344X.138587}, year = {2014}, abstract ={Background: Oxidative stress and inflammation leads to, generation and overproduction of the reactive oxygen species and reactive nitrogen species and hence are responsible for many diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, diabetes mellitus, rheumatoid arthritis, and neurodegenerative motor neuron diseases. Antioxidants are found in varying amounts in vegetables, fruits, grain cereals, eggs, meat, legumes and nuts. However, there is always a search for antioxidants that can quench and breakup the chain of generation of free-radicals. Aims: Astaxanthin, a ketocarotenoid, has exceptional antioxidant activity and hence can be used for prevention of cardiovascular diseases, inflammatory and neurodegenerative diseases, boosting of the immune system, anti-Helicobacter pylori activity, and cataract prevention. Hence, an attempt has performed in this review to compile data on astaxanthin and its several diverse applications over the last decade with an aim to escalate the intense interest in undertaking new research on this natural fascinating molecule. Materials and Methods: A literature search using astaxanthin and antioxidants as keywords using Google as the search engine was done and the data obtained were compiled and presented. Results and Conclusions: Astaxanthin can be a great supplement for everyone in enhancing immunity, preventing a myriad of diseases in our hectic lifestyle by providing more energy, reducing oxidative damage, producing clarity of vision as well as protection from the harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun! Further the immunomodulatory, antioxidative, and antiinflammatory activity of astaxanthin a bioactive natural supernutrient carotenoid may be very important to human health in treating many such untreatable diseases.}, URL ={https://www.ijhas.in/article.asp?issn=2278-344X;year=2014;volume=3;issue=3;spage=147;epage=153;aulast=Biswal;t=6}, eprint ={https://www.ijhas.in/article.asp?issn=2278-344X;year=2014;volume=3;issue=3;spage=147;epage=153;aulast=Biswal;t=6} }