MOSES LAKE — Final test results won’t be available for a couple of weeks, but Astavita Inc. general manager Dan Henry said he considered the Moses Lake Health Challenge a complete success.

Close to 70 Moses Lake residents participated in the 90-day Health Challenge as part of an international focus on research and education targeting at-risk populations, starting in the local communities. Astavita Healthy Living Antioxidants are making ground-breaking strides in re-energizing cells and support healthy aging. The participants, ranging from ages 30 to 70 with a high body mass index, received an initial physical examination (including blood tests) along with follow-up clinic visits, fitness club membership, and a free supply of Astavita Healthy Living Antioxidants. The purpose was to promote a healthier lifestyle through exercise, diet and the support from natural astaxanthin.

“I think we’d like to run some more programs, but everything went as planned. We were surprised with the overall response of people that wanted to enroll in the study,” Henry said. “There was a huge response. It got a lot of buzz in the community, which was great to see.”

Astavita Healthy Living Antioxidants are designed to re-energize cells and support healthy aging. The key to living a long, active life consists of a healthy diet, good exercise and helping to prevent cell aging. This antioxidant improves health at the cellular level by providing a powerful combination of natural astaxanthin and natural T3 (Tocotrienol, a natural antioxidant ingredient derived from palm oil extract).

“I have high cholesterol and glucose levels. I became involved in the health challenge because I had heard from others in our community the benefits they witnessed in themselves or others when they had taken the astaxanthin,” Constance Glencoe said. “I wanted to see if I could have the same benefits for myself and my family, especially my two Type I diabetic children.”

The benefits of astaxanthin that have been studied include improvement for muscular endurance, eye fatigue, blood and cardiovascular systems. A study investigating its possible use with anti-diabetes protection is currently underway.

“Our goal is to help people achieve a healthier lifestyle by incorporating lifestyle modifications,” Henry said. “We’re looking to see everything from insulin resistance types of scores to cholesterol workup. The hope is to see benefits from incorporating the exercise regimen and dietary supplements.”

The Moses Lake Health Challenge was a combination of lifestyle modifications like eating healthier, exercising.

“I’ve been taking Astavista a few weeks longer than most of the participants,” said lead clinician Tammy Nolan, an advanced registered nurse practitioner. “I love what I am seeing so far. I have active rheumatoid arthritis and struggle with the day to day aches and pains that the NSAID (Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), neurologic pain meds, and biologics cannot cover. I have completely stopped using the neurological medication. My swelling has not completely resolved, but is definitely more manageable.”

Crystal Byrd got into the Health Challenge with the idea of implementing the dietary supplements with a structured exercise program to lose weight. She said she had great results.

“My husband and I had a membership to a gym almost 10 years ago. I would exercise and do everything I needed to do to lose weight, but didn’t see any progress,” Byrd said. “Now that I’m taking the AstaReal products, I think it’s actually helping quite a bit. We were told that when you exercise your muscles break down. The antioxidants help rejuvenate muscles, which helps with weight loss. So I think the progress is a combination of the supplements and exercise.”

There is no quick fix to long term health issues, but awareness and direction is beneficial, Mandy Rast of Moses Lake said.

“I have autoimmune issues, which is basically genetic,” Rast said. “It’s something you can lessen, but not cure. So I’m looking for something besides an injection every week. The health challenge is an opportunity that doesn’t come along every day.”

Nolan said the blood work records should be tabulated later this month, but early indications show positive results for the Moses Lake people that started on their way to a healthier lifestyle. There will be a closing ceremony July 30 at Centennial Amphitheater at McCosh Park, beginning at 10 a.m.

Astavista Inc., is a Seattle-based provider of high quality dietary supplements containing natural astaxanthin and the global brand of AstaReal Group.