Astaxanthin
Astaxanthin is a carotenoid antioxidant studied for skin, eye, and exercise outcomes. Evidence varies by condition.
Overview
What is Astaxanthin?
Astaxanthin is a red pigment known as a carotenoid. It is responsible for the natural colour of salmon. It is an antioxidant. Whilst astaxanthin is used for many purposes including eye health, skin health and athletic performance there is limited evidence supporting its use for these and many other health conditions.
Dosage
A typical recommended dose is 6–10 mg per day taken with food. Higher doses of around 20–40 mg have also been safely used. The ideal dose is unknown.
Effect graph
Effect heatmap
SupplementDEX Database
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Database Snapshot
Most astaxanthin research is concentrated in a handful of conditions.
- Athletic performance accounts for 3 of 22 studies (14%).
- Hyperlipidemia accounts for 3 of 22 studies (14%).
- Aging skin accounts for 2 of 22 studies (9%).
- Sparse coverage remains for Aging skin, Infertility, Male infertility.
Dietary Sources
Top dietary sources
Food sources
Sources include Crayfish, Fish Roe, Salmon, and Shrimp.
Safety
Safety details were limited in the source article. Use standard caution and clinician guidance for high-dose or therapeutic use.
Frequently Asked Questions
References
Sources22 references
SupplementDEX uses only high-quality sources to determine supplement effectiveness.
SupplementDEX Database · Athletic performance
3 references1.SupplementDEX Database: Athletic performance — The effect of astaxanthin supplementation on performance and fat oxidation during a 40 km cycling time trial2021
In 12 trained cyclists, astaxanthin 12 mg/day for 7 days improved 40-km time trial time 1.2% and increased fat oxidation during the final kilometer versus placebo.
2.SupplementDEX Database: Athletic performance — Astaxanthin supplementation does not augment fat use or improve endurance performance2013
In 32 trained cyclists over 4 weeks, astaxanthin 20 mg/day with vitamins C and E did not improve fat oxidation, VO2, or time-trial performance versus placebo.
3.SupplementDEX Database: Athletic performance — Effect of astaxanthin on cycling time trial performance2011
In 21 cyclists over 28 days, astaxanthin 4 mg/day improved 20-km time trial time by ~121 seconds versus placebo in completers, though mechanism remained unclear.
SupplementDEX Database · Diabetes
1 reference4.SupplementDEX Database: Diabetes — Astaxanthin improves glucose metabolism and reduces blood pressure in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus2018
In 44 type 2 diabetes patients over 8 weeks, astaxanthin 8 mg/day raised adiponectin, reduced visceral fat and triglycerides, and lowered systolic BP, without lowering fasting glucose significantly.
SupplementDEX Database · Dry eye
1 reference5.SupplementDEX Database: Dry eye — The Benefits and Safety of Astaxanthin in the Treatment of Mild-To-Moderate Dry Eye Disease2022
In 60 middle-aged and elderly mild-to-moderate dry-eye patients, oral astaxanthin 12 mg/day for 30 days improved OSDI, tear break-up time, meibomian function, and blink frequency in metabolic-syndrome-related cases.
SupplementDEX Database · Sunburn
1 reference6.SupplementDEX Database: Sunburn — The Protective Role of Astaxanthin for UV-Induced Skin Deterioration in Healthy People - A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial2018
In healthy adults over 9 weeks, astaxanthin 4 mg/day raised minimal erythema dose and reduced UV-induced moisture loss and skin roughness versus placebo.
7.SupplementDEX Database: Age-related cognitive decline — Cognitive function improvement with astaxanthin and tocotrienol intake: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study2020
In 36 Japanese adults with perceived memory decline over 12 weeks, astaxanthin plus tocotrienols improved composite and verbal memory on Cognitrax versus placebo.
8.SupplementDEX Database: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) — Carotenoids and antioxidants in age-related maculopathy Italian study: multifocal electroretinogram modifications after 1 year2007
In 15 nonadvanced AMD patients over 12 months, supplements including lutein, zeaxanthin, and astaxanthin improved central retinal electroretinogram responses versus untreated AMD eyes.
SupplementDEX Database · Aging skin
2 references9.SupplementDEX Database: Aging skin — Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis on the Effects of Astaxanthin on Human Skin Ageing2021
A meta-analysis found oral astaxanthin improved skin moisture and elasticity but did not significantly reduce wrinkle depth versus placebo; topical/oral combo studies suggested additional cosmetic benefit.
10.SupplementDEX Database: Aging skin — Cosmetic benefits of astaxanthin on human subjects2012
In human skin studies, oral astaxanthin 6 mg/day plus topical use for 8 weeks improved wrinkles, age spots, elasticity, and moisture; oral 6 mg/day for 6 weeks also improved crow's feet wrinkles in men.
SupplementDEX Database · Dyspepsia
1 reference11.SupplementDEX Database: Dyspepsia — Efficacy of the natural antioxidant astaxanthin in the treatment of functional dyspepsia in patients with or without Helicobacter pylori infection: A prospective, randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled study2008
In 132 functional dyspepsia patients over 4 weeks, astaxanthin 16 or 40 mg/day did not improve overall dyspepsia scores, though the 40 mg dose significantly reduced reflux symptoms, especially with H. pylori.
SupplementDEX Database · Fatigue
1 reference12.SupplementDEX Database: Fatigue — Effects of Dietary Supplementation of Astaxanthin and Sesamin on Daily Fatigue: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Two-Way Crossover Study2018
In 24 healthy adults, astaxanthin plus sesamin supplementation improved recovery from mental fatigue after cognitive and physical tasks versus placebo.
SupplementDEX Database · Heart failure
1 reference13.SupplementDEX Database: Heart failure — Effects of 3-Month Astaxanthin Supplementation on Cardiac Function in Heart Failure Patients with Left Ventricular Systolic Dysfunction - A Pilot Study2020
In 16 heart failure patients with reduced ejection fraction over 3 months, astaxanthin lowered oxidative stress markers, raised LVEF 34% to 38%, and increased 6-minute walk distance.
SupplementDEX Database · Hyperlipidemia
3 references14.SupplementDEX Database: Hyperlipidemia — Astaxanthin Influence on Health Outcomes of Adults at Risk of Metabolic Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis2022
A meta-analysis of 7 metabolic-syndrome-risk trials (321 participants) found astaxanthin marginally lowered total cholesterol and systolic BP and significantly reduced LDL cholesterol.
15.SupplementDEX Database: Hyperlipidemia — The effects of astaxanthin supplementation on obesity, blood pressure, CRP, glycemic biomarkers, and lipid profile: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials2020
A meta-analysis of 14 trials found astaxanthin raised HDL-C 1.5 mg/dL and reduced CRP at doses >12 mg/day or durations ≥12 weeks, without consistent effects on glucose, BMI, or blood pressure.
16.SupplementDEX Database: Hyperlipidemia — Administration of natural astaxanthin increases serum HDL-cholesterol and adiponectin in subjects with mild hyperlipidemia2010
In 61 non-obese adults with borderline high triglycerides, astaxanthin 6–18 mg/day for 12 weeks lowered triglycerides and raised HDL-C and adiponectin in a dose-related manner.
SupplementDEX Database · Prediabetes
1 reference17.SupplementDEX Database: Prediabetes — The Beneficial Effects of Astaxanthin on Glucose Metabolism and Modified Low-Density Lipoprotein in Healthy Volunteers and Subjects with Prediabetes2021
In 53 adults including prediabetes over 12 weeks, astaxanthin 12 mg/day lowered 2-hour OGTT glucose, HbA1c, glycated albumin, and oxidized LDL versus placebo.
SupplementDEX Database · Infertility
2 references18.SupplementDEX Database: Infertility — Astaxanthin ameliorates inflammation, oxidative stress, and reproductive outcomes in endometriosis patients undergoing assisted reproduction: A randomized, triple-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial2023
In 50 infertile women with endometriosis undergoing ART, astaxanthin 6 mg/day for 12 weeks lowered inflammation, improved antioxidant markers, and increased oocytes retrieved and high-quality embryos versus placebo.
19.SupplementDEX Database: Infertility — Randomized controlled trial of astaxanthin impacts on antioxidant status and assisted reproductive technology outcomes in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome2022
In PCOS women undergoing ART, astaxanthin 8 mg/day for 40 days raised serum catalase and TAC, activated Nrf2 pathway genes, and improved mature oocyte and embryo rates versus placebo.
SupplementDEX Database · Male infertility
2 references20.SupplementDEX Database: Male infertility — Effect of the oral intake of astaxanthin on semen parameters in patients with oligo-astheno-teratozoospermia: a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial2020
In 72 oligo-astheno-teratozoospermic men over 3 months, astaxanthin 16 mg/day did not improve semen parameters versus placebo, while placebo group sperm concentration rose significantly.
21.SupplementDEX Database: Male infertility — Combined conventional/antioxidant "Astaxanthin" treatment for male infertility: a double blind, randomized trial2005
In 30 infertile men on conventional therapy, adding astaxanthin 16 mg/day for 3 months improved sperm motility and pregnancy rate (54% vs 10%) versus conventional therapy alone.
22.SupplementDEX Database: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) — Astaxanthin supplement improves clinical outcomes, quality of life, and inflammatory factors in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a randomized clinical trial2025
In 60 rheumatoid arthritis patients over 8 weeks, astaxanthin 20 mg/day reduced DAS-28, HAQ, ESR, and CRP versus placebo without changing IL-6.