YEP!

I have that ugly "weeping edema" and I DID develop cellulitis and made a quick trip to the emergency room. My white blood count was 31,000.

Right now the BIG bubbles are gone and I do not have the fluid drip. I think that maybe some of the medications and supplements I take might have got me this release from the severe symptoms.

I noticed some improvement shortly after I started taking some ASTAXANTHIN (Jarrow formula 4 mg softgels).

I am taking 4mg three times a day to raise my HDL.

I also take a dieuretic FUROSEMIDE 40 mg twice a day to lower my body fluid level.

I have a very expensive lymphedema pump $6,000 which I could not use because of the infections in my leg. I intend to start using it again now that the infections are gone. The skin is still very pink and feels like a mild sunburn.

jackD


Atherosclerosis. 2010 Apr;209(2):520-3. Epub 2009 Oct 14.

Administration of natural astaxanthin increases serum HDL-cholesterol and adiponectin in subjects with mild hyperlipidemia.

Yoshida H, Yanai H, Ito K, Tomono Y, Koikeda T, Tsukahara H, Tada N.
SourceDepartment of Laboratory Medicine, Jikei University Kashiwa Hospital, Chiba, Japan. hyoshida@jikei.ac.jp

Abstract
BACKGROUND: Astaxanthin has been reported to improve dyslipidemia and metabolic syndrome in animals, but such effects in humans are not well known.

METHODS: Placebo-controlled astaxanthin administration at doses of 0, 6, 12, 18 mg/day for 12 weeks was randomly allocated to 61 non-obese subjects with fasting serum triglyceride of 120-200mg/dl and without diabetes and hypertension, aged 25-60 years.

RESULTS: In before and after tests, body mass index (BMI) and LDL-cholesterol were unaffected at all doses, however, triglyceride decreased, while HDL-cholesterol increased significantly. Multiple comparison tests showed that 12 and 18 mg/day doses significantly reduced triglyceride, and 6 and 12 mg doses significantly increased HDL-cholesterol. Serum adiponectin was increased by astaxanthin (12 and 18 mg/day), and changes of adiponectin correlated positively with HDL-cholesterol changes independent of age and BMI.

CONCLUSIONS: This first-ever randomized, placebo-controlled human study suggests that astaxanthin consumption ameliorates triglyceride and HDL-cholesterol in correlation with increased adiponectin in humans.

Copyright 2009 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

PMID:19892350[PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]


Altern Med Rev. 2011 Dec;16(4):355-64.

Astaxanthin, cell membrane nutrient with diverse clinical benefits and anti-aging potential.

Kidd P.
SourceCorrespondence address: 847 Elm Street, El Cerrito, CA 94530 Email: dockidd@dockidd.com.

Abstract
Astaxanthin, a xanthophyll carotenoid, is a nutrient with unique cell membrane actions and diverse clinical benefits. This molecule neutralizes free radicals or other oxidants by either accepting or donating electrons, and without being destroyed or becoming a pro-oxidant in the process. Its linear, polar-nonpolar-polar molecular layout equips it to precisely insert into the membrane and span its entire width. In this position, astaxanthin can intercept reactive molecular species within the membrane's hydrophobic interior and along its hydrophilic boundaries. Clinically, astaxanthin has shown diverse benefits, with excellent safety and tolerability. In double-blind, randomized controlled trials (RCTs), astaxanthin lowered oxidative stress in overweight and obese subjects and in smokers. It blocked oxidative DNA damage, lowered C-reactive protein (CRP) and other inflammation biomarkers, and boosted immunity in the tuberculin skin test. Astaxanthin lowered triglycerides and raised HDL-cholesterol in another trial and improved blood flow in an experimental microcirculation model. It improved cognition in a small clinical trial and boosted proliferation and differentiation of cultured nerve stem cells. In several Japanese RCTs, astaxanthin improved visual acuity and eye accommodation. It improved reproductive performance in men and reflux symptoms in H. pylori patients. In preliminary trials it showed promise for sports performance (soccer). In cultured cells, astaxanthin protected the mitochondria against endogenous oxygen radicals, conserved their redox (antioxidant) capacity, and enhanced their energy production efficiency. The concentrations used in these cells would be attainable in humans by modest dietary intakes. Astaxanthin's clinical success extends beyond protection against oxidative stress and inflammation, to demonstrable promise for slowing age-related functional decline.

PMID:22214255[PubMed - in process

Mol Nutr Food Res. 2011 Jan;55(1):150-65. doi: 10.1002/mnfr.201000414. Epub 2010 Nov 18.

Potential health-promoting effects of astaxanthin: a high-value carotenoid mostly from microalgae.

Yuan JP, Peng J, Yin K, Wang JH.
SourceGuangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Resources and Coastal Engineering, School of Marine Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, PR China. yuanjp@mail.sysu.edu.cn

Abstract
The ketocarotenoid astaxanthin can be found in the microalgae Haematococcus pluvialis, Chlorella zofingiensis, and Chlorococcum sp., and the red yeast Phaffia rhodozyma. The microalga H. pluvialis has the highest capacity to accumulate astaxanthin up to 4-5% of cell dry weight. Astaxanthin has been attributed with extraordinary potential for protecting the organism against a wide range of diseases, and has considerable potential and promising applications in human health. Numerous studies have shown that astaxanthin has potential health-promoting effects in the prevention and treatment of various diseases, such as cancers, chronic inflammatory diseases, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, diabetic nephropathy, cardiovascular diseases, gastrointestinal diseases, liver diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, eye diseases, skin diseases, exercise-induced fatigue, male infertility, and HgCl₂-induced acute renal failure. In this article, the currently available scientific literature regarding the most significant activities of astaxanthin is reviewed.

Copyright © 2011 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

PMID:21207519[PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]