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Astaxanthin Aids Muscle Recovery

Astudy of Serbian soccer players has found that astaxanthin can significantly decrease inflammation and improve the rate of muscle recovery. Astaxanthin supplements are derived from golden microalgae such asHaematococcus pluvialis.

Conducted by researchers from the University of Belgrade School of Medicine, the double-blind study tested 40 young athletes for 90 days. The players were recruited from a Serbian soccer club and split into two groups. Half were given four milligrams of astaxanthin per day, while the control group received a placebo. After three months of astaxanthin supplementation, the researchers found that muscle enzymes had decreased, indicating the rate of players’ muscle recovery had improved. They also found decreased neutrophils and C-reactive protein (CRP), both markers for inflammation, signifying a corresponding reduction.

In addition, the group taking astaxanthin showed significantly higher levels of secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA), an immunity defense system in the mucosal membranes of the mouth, digestive system, lungs and other regions. Increases indicated a rise in first-defense immunity among these athletes. This same group also showed significantly lower oxidative stress levels, contributing to an improvement in exercise recovery.

Health Briefs
Tick Talk

Spring officially sprung on March 21. We have turned our clocks ahead. We are looking forward to warm winds, sunny skies and the smell of fresh cut grass. The daffodils and tulips have recently bloomed and we are just starting with the yard work that comes with the warmer weather.  Sadly, another season has started ramping up.  Tick season.

•             The best form of protection is prevention. Educating oneself about tick activity and how our behaviors overlap with tick habitats is the first step.

•             According to the NJ DOH, in 2022 Hunterdon County led the state with a Lyme disease incidence rate of 426 cases per 100,000 people. The fact is ticks spend approximately 90% of their lives not on a host but aggressively searching for one, molting to their next stage or over-wintering. This is why a tick remediation program should be implemented on school grounds where NJ DOH deems high risk for tick exposure and subsequent attachment to human hosts.

•             Governor Murphy has signed a bill that mandates tick education in NJ public schools. See this for the details.  Tick education must now be incorporated into K-12 school curriculum. See link:

https://www.nj.gov/education/broadcasts/2023/sept/27/TicksandTick-BorneIllnessEducation.pdf

•             May is a great month to remind the public that tick activity is in full swing. In New Jersey, there are many tickborne diseases that affect residents, including Anaplasmosis, Babesiosis, Ehrlichiosis, Lyme disease, Powassan, and Spotted Fever Group Rickettsiosis.

•             For years, the focus has mainly been about protecting ourselves from Lyme disease. But other tick-borne diseases are on the rise in Central Jersey. An increase of incidence of Babesia and Anaplasma are sidelining people too. These two pathogens are scary because they effect our blood cells. Babesia affects the red blood cells and Anaplasma effects the white blood cells.

•             Ticks can be infected with more than one pathogen. When you contract Lyme it is possible to contract more than just that one disease. This is called a co-infection. It is super important to pay attention to your symptoms. See link.

https://twp.freehold.nj.us/480/Disease-Co-Infection

A good resource from the State:

https://www.nj.gov/health/cd/topics/tickborne.shtml

 

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