When it comes to antioxidant protection, each of us has to have enough to meet the challenges of our free-radical workload, which can depend on variables like mental and physical stress, air and water pollution, physical activity levels, concentrations of chemicals in our foods and other factors. In addition, the dietary antioxidants we depend on to defend us against free radicals tend to concentrate in certain organs or tissues, adding another consideration to the equation. This is why we've developed our Maximum-Strength Astaxanthin with 12 mg per softgel to help you tailor your antioxidant intake to meet your specific needs. As a fat-soluble antioxidant, astaxanthin is particularly beneficial for the brain, skin and other organs with high concentrations of fatty acids. In the skin, astaxanthin is especially valuable for protecting against free radicals generated by the activity of the sun's ultraviolet radiation. It occurs in many foods, including salmon, crab and lobster (to which it provides their rich red color), but the best source by far is the microalgae Haematococcus pluvialis, which can yield 8,000 times the astaxanthin concentration found in salmon. For optimal effectiveness, our softgels are fortified with medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) to enhance the bioavailability of this fat- soluble nutrient.