India is suffering from an unprecedented pollution crisis - it is now the second-most polluted country in the world, with air pollution making up the biggest threat to the health of the population. Exposure to major air pollution shortens life expectancy by an average of five years. Certain regions have it worse; in Delhi, for instance, air pollution is estimated to curtail lives by up to 12 years.
Among this crisis, respiratory disorders, cardiovascular diseases, cognitive impairment, cancer, and premature death are increasing largely due to environmental stress, lifestyle factors, and natural aging processes, made worse due to oxidative stress. Oxidative stress is a concerning imbalance of free radicals, which are unstable molecules with several odd numbers of electrons, along with oxidants that result in inflammation and cellular damage. While an unhealthy diet is a significant risk factor for such diseases, linked to over 8 million deaths worldwide, antioxidants like Astaxanthin provide substantial protection against these lifestyle and environmental risks.
