Astaxanthin is one of, if not the, most powerful natural antioxidant(s) safe for human consumption. In contrast to other antioxidants which have specific localised activity (e.g. betacarotene and Vitamin C), astaxanthin sits across entire cell membranes, providing antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, within the cells, across cell membranes and cell exterior. Astaxanthin has the unique characteristic that it can cross the blood-brain barrier, and blood-retinal barrier providing its health benefits in the brain and eyes. As astaxanthin is particularly bio-available for uptake by the body it is easily absorbed, available and accumulated in tissues.