Astaxanthin
Summary
Astaxanthin is a red algae carotenoid. Pooled trials found small drops in oxidative-stress markers (12 RCTs, grade C) and better skin moisture and elasticity in oral studies. Analyses of heart and blood-sugar markers found no change apart from a small HDL rise. Cognition and fatigue effects were marginal.
Key facts
- A xanthophyll carotenoid from the microalga Haematococcus pluvialis; also in salmon, shrimp and krill[1]
- Small reductions in oxidative-stress markers such as malondialdehyde (12 RCTs, 380 people)[2]
- Oral astaxanthin improved skin moisture and elasticity in pooled randomised trials[1]
- No change in glucose, A1C, LDL, triglycerides, weight or blood pressure; HDL rose slightly[4]
- 2 graded human outcomes on this page
- October 11, 2026
How it works
ProposedAstaxanthin spans cell membranes and quenches reactive oxygen species; anti-inflammatory and photoprotective effects come largely from cell and animal studies.[1][2]
What the human research says
Human trials only, one row per outcome. The form column shows what each trial actually tested. Grades follow our evidence-grading policy.
At a glance: strongest evidence per outcome
| Outcome | Grade | Effect | Strongest evidence | Rows |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oxidative stress | Grade C | Improved | Meta-analysis of 12 trials · n = 380 · 2022 | 1 row |
| Brain and energy | Grade D | Mixed | Meta-analysis of 11 trials · n = 346 · 2024 | 1 row |
Every graded row
| Outcome | Effect | Grade | Best evidence | PMID |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oxidative stress and inflammation markers | Improved | Grade C | Meta-analysis · n = 380 · 2022 Adults in 12 RCTs Form: Astaxanthin · Dose: Varied across trials · Duration: Varied across trials Blood malondialdehyde fell versus placebo; effects on other markers were small, described as mild. | 35091276 (opens PubMed)Source [2] |
| Fatigue, motor function and cognition | Mixed | Grade D | Meta-analysis · n = 346 · 2024 Healthy adults in 11 RCTs Form: Astaxanthin · Dose: Varied across trials · Duration: 8–12 weeks for cognition outcomes Cognitive accuracy did not reach significance (95% CI −0.02 to 0.26) and reaction time did not change; two small studies hinted at less subjective fatigue. | 38243785 (opens PubMed)Source [3] |
Forms
| Form | Elemental % | Absorption (human data) | GI tolerance | Studied for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Algal astaxanthin in oil softgels | Varies | Fat-soluble; no head-to-head human absorption data between brands in the sources cited here. | No serious adverse events reported in the pooled trials cited here.[2] | Most skin, oxidative-stress and cognition trials |
Studied doses
Doses studied in human trials ranged from product to product in the pooled analyses cited here, with cognition outcomes measured after 8–12 weeks; retail softgels commonly supply 4–12 mg.[3][2]
Interactions
Published interactions only: each row cites a source. No row means none was found in our sources, not that a combination is safe.
None found in our sources.
Who should be careful
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding
- The trials cited here enrolled non-pregnant adults.[2]
Talk to your pharmacist or clinician before starting a supplement, especially if you take prescription medicines.
Where to buy Astaxanthin
Products from brands we partner with that contain Astaxanthin. Listing a product is not a claim that it works; check the amount per serving against the doses studied above, and the label for other ingredients.
- SupersmartPaid linkAstaxanthin1 softgel: 4 mg astaxanthin (AstaPure Haematococcus pluvialis extract) with 14.9 mg natural vitamin E; 30 servingsShop at Supersmart (opens in new tab)Price and label checked 2026-10-11 on the brand’s site.
Partner links may earn us a commission. Learn more
Get 15% off with SMART026 (opens in new tab)15% off with code SMART026
Partner links may earn us a commission. Learn more
- Supersmart’s own terms and exclusions apply at checkout.
- 20% applies when 3 or more products ship on auto-delivery to the same address.
- The code discount and Subscribe & Save are separate offers; we don’t claim they combine.
- Offer terms from Supersmart’s site and its affiliate program, checked Oct 8, 2026. Offers can change; the brand's checkout is final.
Frequently asked questions
Does astaxanthin help skin?
Pooled oral trials found better skin moisture and elasticity; trials were small and several were industry-linked.[1]
Does astaxanthin lower cholesterol?
A pooled analysis found no change in LDL or triglycerides, with a small rise in HDL.[4]
Is astaxanthin a strong antioxidant in people?
It lowered some oxidative-stress markers slightly in pooled trials; the effect was described as mild.[2]
Should it be taken with food?
It is fat-soluble, so labels usually suggest a meal; no trial compared timing.
Sources
- [1]Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis on the Effects of Astaxanthin on Human Skin Ageing.. Nutrients, 2021. meta-analysis
- [2]Astaxanthin supplementation mildly reduced oxidative stress and inflammation biomarkers: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.. Nutr Res, 2022. meta-analysis
- [3]Effects of Astaxanthin Supplementation on Fatigue, Motor Function and Cognition: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.. Biol Res Nurs, 2024. meta-analysis
- [4]The effects of astaxanthin supplementation on obesity, blood pressure, CRP, glycemic biomarkers, and lipid profile: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.. Pharmacol Res, 2020. meta-analysis
What changed
- Corrected the effect arrow (↑ improved, ↓ worsened for participants) on: Oxidative stress and inflammation markers.
- First draft. Every PMID checked against NCBI E-utilities (title, journal and year taken from the PubMed record) and each evidence row written from its PubMed abstract.