Astaxanthin
Haematococcus pluvialis extract · Longevity
The carotenoid that makes salmon pink, sold for skin and endurance on early evidence.
What the evidence says
A potent antioxidant in laboratory terms, with small human trials in skin elasticity and UV resistance and a scattering of exercise studies with mixed results. Nothing here approaches the size or consistency needed to call an effect established, and antioxidant potency in a test tube has a long history of not translating into human outcomes.
What studies used
Trials commonly used 4–12 mg/day. Fat-soluble; studies dosed it with meals.
Reported from published studies and product labelling — a record of what was used in research, not a recommendation. What is right for you is a conversation with a clinician.
Watch out for
- Generally well tolerated; can tint the skin at high intakes
Evidence base
established literature
Strong human evidence: either a phase 3 or 4 trial report alongside review-level evidence, or ten or more randomised controlled trial reports.
This letter measures how much human research exists, not whether it works for you — the tier above (Limited) is the read on quality.
Research (12)
- Biological and neurological activities of astaxanthin (Review)Mol Med Rep · 2022
- Astaxanthin: a review of its chemistry and applicationsCrit Rev Food Sci Nutr · 2006
- "Therapeutic uses of natural astaxanthin: An evidence-based review focused on human clinical trials"Pharmacol Res · 2021
- Astaxanthin: A super antioxidant from microalgae and its therapeutic potentialJ Basic Microbiol · 2022
- Astaxanthin for the Food IndustryMolecules · 2021
- Astaxanthin from Haematococcus pluvialis: processes, applications, and marketPrep Biochem Biotechnol · 2022
- Health benefits of astaxanthin against age-related diseases of multiple organs: A comprehensive reviewCrit Rev Food Sci Nutr · 2023
- Astaxanthin from microalgae: A review on structure, biosynthesis, production strategies and applicationFood Res Int · 2024
- Dietary astaxanthin: an excellent carotenoid with multiple health benefitsCrit Rev Food Sci Nutr · 2023
- Astaxanthin Isomers: A Comprehensive Review of Isomerization Methods and Analytic TechniquesJ Agric Food Chem · 2023
- [Advances in astaxanthin biosynthesis in Haematococcus pluvialis]Sheng Wu Gong Cheng Xue Bao · 2019
- Microbial astaxanthin biosynthesis: recent achievements, challenges, and commercialization outlookAppl Microbiol Biotechnol · 2020
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