Last verified: 17 days ago
Astaxanthin
Also known as: AST, ASX, ATX, 3,3'-dihydroxy-β,β-carotene-4,4'-dione, natural astaxanthin
Evidence under review. — Not yet rated
Potent antioxidant carotenoid. Early evidence suggests it reduces oxidative stress and inflammation.
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What it does
Astaxanthin is a red-orange pigment found in microalgae and seafood, and one of the most potent antioxidants studied in nature. Clinical trials in the provided research show it can reduce...
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Evidence quality
Evidence base hasn't been formally rated yet. See research below.
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Clinical dose
8-20 mg daily based on study doses
What the Science Says
Astaxanthin is a red-orange pigment found in microalgae and seafood, and one of the most potent antioxidants studied in nature. Clinical trials in the provided research show it can reduce oxidative stress markers — including malondialdehyde (MDA) and uric acid — while boosting antioxidant defenses like superoxide dismutase (SOD) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC). Studies used doses of 8–20 mg per day over 8 weeks, with benefits observed in heart failure patients and women with type 2 diabetes, particularly when combined with exercise.
What It Doesn't Do
Not proven to directly lower blood sugar on its own — metabolic improvements in diabetes studies required exercise too. No evidence from these studies that it builds muscle or burns fat. Don't expect it to replace medications for heart failure or PCOS. The skin photoprotection and anti-aging claims are based on lab and animal work, not human trials in this dataset.
Evidence-Based Benefits
Reduces oxidative stress markers and boosts antioxidant defenses in heart failure patients.
Weak EvidenceEffective at: 20 mg/day for 8 weeks
Supporting studies (click to view on PubMed):
Improves dyspnea and fatigue in heart failure patients taking 20 mg daily for 8 weeks.
Weak EvidenceEffective at: 20 mg/day for 8 weeks
Supporting studies (click to view on PubMed):
Combined with exercise, reduces inflammation and improves lipid profiles in women with type 2 diabetes.
Weak EvidenceEffective at: 8 mg/day for 8 weeks
Supporting studies (click to view on PubMed):
May improve egg maturity rates and reduce inflammation in PCOS patients undergoing fertility treatment.
Weak EvidenceEffective at: No established dose from provided studies
Supporting studies (click to view on PubMed):
Absorption & Bioavailability
Poor to Moderate — astaxanthin is fat-soluble and absorbs better with dietary fat. Several papers in this dataset explore nano-encapsulation and ester forms (e.g., DHA-acylated astaxanthin) to improve delivery, suggesting standard oral bioavailability is a known limitation.
Red Flags to Watch For
- Most human clinical trials in this dataset are small pilot studies (n=44–90) — results need confirmation in larger trials
- Many benefits in diabetes studies only appeared when combined with exercise, not from astaxanthin alone
- Fat-soluble: taking without dietary fat may significantly reduce absorption
- Some studies used Iranian clinical trial registries with limited external validation — interpret results cautiously
- Animal and cell studies (stroke, diabetic nephropathy) are promising but not yet confirmed in humans
Products Containing Astaxanthin
See how Astaxanthin is used in these analyzed products:
Halo Beauty Hair Skin Nails Booster
Supplement
Physician's Choice Digestive Enzymes
Supplement
IM8 Daily Ultimate Essentials
Supplement
Micro Ingredients Liver Advanced+
Supplement
Performance Lab Vision
Supplement
Micro Ingredients Vitamin D3 K2 Softgels 5000IU
Supplement
Swolverine PRE (Non-Stim Pre-Workout)
Supplement
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Astaxanthin do?
Potent antioxidant carotenoid. Early evidence suggests it reduces oxidative stress and inflammation.
What is the effective dose of Astaxanthin?
8-20 mg daily based on study doses
Is Astaxanthin safe?
Most human clinical trials in this dataset are small pilot studies (n=44–90) — results need confirmation in larger trials
What doesn't Astaxanthin do?
Not proven to directly lower blood sugar on its own — metabolic improvements in diabetes studies required exercise too.
Research Sources
- PubMed
- NIH DSLD
This information is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any supplement regimen. Last updated: 2026-05-25