The Real Thing Anti-X is a super-hero supplement in the fight against free radicals and inflammation. It harnesses the power of pure astaxanthin – the world’s strongest antioxidant. And that’s what makes Anti-X the ultimate natural anti-inflammatory, endurance enhancer, vision booster and internal sunscreen.

FACT: Astaxanthin, also known as "vitamin X", has almost 550 times more antioxidant activity than vitamin E. Plus it's 10 times stronger than other carotenoid antioxidants like beta-carotene.

What's in The Real Thing Anti-X?
It's an extract from Haematococcus pluvialis algae that contains a show-stopping selection of potent nutrients. The headliner is 100% pure astaxanthin. And the supporting acts are lutein, vitamin A (as beta-carotene) and vitamin E (as d-alpha tocopherol). This all-natural line-up is guaranteed non-irradiated and free of herbicides, pesticides GMOs, colourants, flavourants and preservatives. Plus it's totally safe and side-effect free.

1. Natural astaxanthin
This ambitious antioxidant is found naturally in trout, salmon, yeast, shrimp, crayfish, krill, microalgae, crustaceans and the feathers of some birds. It's a vigilant free-radical scavenger that helps protect the body from the ravages of oxidative damage.

Normal metabolic processes produce destructive free-radical molecules, like hydroxyl, peroxyl and highly reactive forms of oxygen. Then physiological stress and exposure to pollution, chemicals and UV light add to the oxidative fire, causing an ever-expanding army of free radicals to wage war on DNA, proteins and membranes surrounding lipids. This can lead to inflammation, visual impairment, neurodegeneration, poor heart health, autoimmune conditions and general toxicity. But The Real Thing Anti-X is ready to retaliate.  

GET THE X-FACTOR. The Real Thing Anti-X is packed with free-radical fighting astaxanthin. That’s what makes it the ultimate natural anti-inflammatory, endurance enhancer, vision booster and internal sunscreen.

Our astaxanthin is sourced by Cyanotech, the world's premier microalgae cultivator. Based in Kona, Hawaii, where the air is clean, the sky is wide and the sun perennial, Cyanotech follows strict Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) conditions and complies with ISO 9001:2000 quality standards. The algae is analysed for purity and quality and all processing is environmentally friendly. Plus, this world-leading team has developed a method of measuring astaxanthin concentrations, regarded in Japan, the US and Canada as the only accurate way of measuring whether quantities reported on product labels are correct.

2. Vitamin A (as beta-carotene)
The carotenoids, like beta-carotene, are brightly coloured antioxidant pigments that take the monotone out of meals. They're also precursors for vitamin A – a fat-soluble vitamin, essential for good eyesight and bone growth, that’s found naturally in leafy vegetables, eggs, broccoli, and liver. But reaping the benefits of vitamin A is all about getting the balance right. Too little can lead to night-blindness, ocular problems and impaired immunity. Too much can cause over-flowing stores and vitamin A toxicity.

FACT: Each capsule of The Real Thing Anti-X contains a safe and effective dose of 65 international units (IU) of beta-carotene. It works to support the natural astaxanthin and to boost your nutritional balance.

3. Vitamin E (as d-alpha tocopherol)
This versatile vitamin occurs naturally in eight different forms – four tocotrienols and four tocopherols. One of these forms – alpha tocopherol – is found in vegetable oils, whole grains, fish and green leafy veg. It's the most biological of the antioxidants in humans, and its quantity swells significantly in women during pregnancy. An alpha tocopherol deficiency can increase the risk of neurological deficiencies.

FACT: To boost astaxanthin’s neuroprotective effect, The Real Thing Anti-X delivers 10 IU of the antioxidant vitamin E. That’s a third of the recommended daily value (RDA).

4. Lutein
Lutein is another colourful carotenoid found in leafy veggies – its name means "yellow", because it absorbs blue light to appear yellow at low light concentrations. This antioxidant is a welcome addition to Anti-X's formidable inflammation-fighting team. Lutein protects the body from oxidative stress, plus it defends against damage caused by high-energy light. In a six-year study completed in September 2007, the National Eye Institute in Maryland found that lutein and zeaxanthin can protect against blindness in people over the age of 65.

Why do you need Anti-X?

Perhaps you want superior energy and endurance – the kind you need to swim upstream for days, like an astanxanthin-rich salmon. Perhaps you want reduced recovery time after exercise, or simply an escape from the pain and inflammation associated with osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, repetitive motion injuries or back problems. Either way, The Real Thing Anti-X is for you.

IT DEFLATES INFLAMMATION. Astaxanthin is clinically proven to reduce pain and increase mobility in rheumatoid arthritis, tendonitis and carpal tunnel syndrome. Plus it can help reduce pain in osteoarthritis.

No wonder this awesome antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compound has earned the title "king of the carotenoids". Its insatiable capacity to scavenge free radicals means it can both enhance performance and confront degenerative damage.

IT’S A WORKOUT WONDER. Studies have shown that astaxanthin can increase strength and endurance by 62% in only six months. Plus it helps accelerate muscle recovery and reduce joint and muscle pain post-exercise.

the Anti-X effect

This double-barreled supplement has a broad range of eclectic effects, including:

• ANTI-inflammation. Astaxanthin is clinically proven to reduce pain and increase mobility in rheumatoid arthritis, tendonitis and carpal tunnel syndrome. It can also help reduce pain in osteoarthritis and has been used to treat cardiovascular, immune, inflammatory and neurodegenerative diseases by reducing levels of C-reactive protein, an indicator of inflammation.
• PRO-fitness. Studies have shown that it can increase strength and endurance by 62% in only six months. It also accelerates muscle recovery and reduces joint and muscle pain post-exercise meaning you can train harder and bounce back faster.
• ANTI-sunburn. Astaxanthin combats the inflammation caused by UV light. So it works like a sunscreen from within that helps protect eyes from sun damage and prevent sunburn and photo-ageing of the skin.
• PRO-vision. Unlike most antioxidants, astaxanthin can cross the blood-brain barrier to deliver protective benefits to the eyes, brain and central nervous system. It's been shown to improve visual acuity and help protect against age-related macular degeneration and cataracts.
• ANTI-neurodegeneration. Because it crosses the blood-brain barrier it can also alleviate the oxidative stress that contributes to neurodegenerative conditions like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's Disease. Plus it can help repair stroke damage caused by lack of oxygen.
• PRO-heart health. Astaxanthin will lend a hand to lower LDL, or "bad" cholesterol, levels and help prevent heart disease caused by oxidative damage.

What does science say?
The natural astaxanthin used in The Real Thing Anti-X has been validated scientifically as effective, highly bioavailable, totally safe and side-effect free. Here's what science has shown:

FACT: Clinical trials have found that astaxanthin takes only eight weeks to reduce inflammatory C-reactive protein levels by 20%. Trials have also shown that tennis elbow, or tendonitis, sufferers improved their grip strength by 93% in the same period.

In a double-blind, placebo-controlled study involving 16 subjects, average age 40, an oral astaxanthin and tocotrienol combination significantly improved dry skin conditions within two weeks. Skin became better hydrated, and showed fewer fine lines, more elasticity and better tone – results that don't only look good on paper!

Take astaxanthin, clinical trials say, to increase your sun exposure time before sunburn sets in. The skin, being the body's largest organ, needs an all-over anti-inflammatory to protect it adequately. And astaxanthin is it.

Studies in Sweden in the 1990s showed that after three months taking 16mg of natural astaxanthin per day, five out of ten couples who were struggling to conceive were able to do so.

How do you take it?
Take one capsule of The Real Thing Anti-X daily, either with a meal or one hour before exercise. Because it’s safe and side-effect free, you can increase the dose to up to 4 capsules a day (two in the morning, two at night) or consult your health care practitioner.

And persevere – Anti-X may take two to four weeks to start having an effect, as it takes time to build up the levels in your body.