Astaxanthin · Astaxanthin
The 'sunscreen from within' with real skin, eye, and endurance data.
Short answer
Astaxanthin (Astaxanthin) is a carotenoid / antioxidant with evidence grade B, meaning it is supported by human RCTs. We track 6 produkter containing Astaxanthin. Typical doses range from 3.0 to 12.0 mg per portion. The top-ranked product scores 7.8 out of 10 on our composite scale (dose, evidence, price, testing, transparency). Prices range up to $270.00 per månad.
Top Astaxanthin produkter
| Product | Varumärke | Dose | Pris/mo | 3rd-party tested | Poäng |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Astaxanthin Supplement | 12.0 mg | $25.95 | Yes | 7.8 | |
| Vision | 6.0 mg | $40.00 | No | 6.8 | |
| Daily Ultimate Longevity | 6 mg | $149.00 | Yes | 5.7 | |
| Tru Niagen Beauty | 4.0 mg | $62.00 | No | 5.5 | |
| Advanced ID | 6 mg | $270.00 | No | 5.4 |
Scores are editorial judgments, not a scientific standard. Se how we score.
What it is
The red pigment in salmon, shrimp, and flamingos. It's a very potent antioxidant that concentrates in skin, eyes, and muscle mitochondria.
Why people take it
Modest but real effects on skin UV damage, eye fatigue, and exercise endurance at 4 to 12 mg/day.
Our verdict
Solid antioxidant with skin/eye evidence. Choose Haematococcus-derived (natural) at 4 to 12 mg/day.
Structure & class
3,3'-dihydroxy-β,β-carotene-4,4'-dione. Xanthophyll carotenoid.
Mechanism & clinical data
Tominaga 2012 showed 6 mg/day improved skin moisture and elasticity. Meta-analysis for endurance shows small but consistent effect.
Pharmacokinetics
~15 hours.
Dose & forms
What to watch out for
Synthetic astaxanthin (from petrochemicals) is not the same stereoisomer as natural. Insist on Haematococcus source.
Säkerhet limits and interactions
When a product exceeds the UL or contains an ingredient with clinically significant interactions, a "Review advised" flag appears on its product page and links here.
Where this dose comes from
The trial dose above is our editorial pick from the published human trials for this ingredient. We choose the dose that the best-available studies used on the endpoint most relevant to longevity. The range shows the lowest and highest doses tested in published trials. The landmark studies below are the papers we read to set it. You can click through and check our work.
When new trials publish, our automated sweeps flag them. If a new study materially changes the dose, we update it through editorial review and record the old dose, new dose, and the triggering study in every affected product's recommendation history. The dose is never changed automatically.
Regelverk status
Timeline
Regelverk events, evidence grade changes, and key research milestones for Astaxanthin, most recent first. Every entry links to its primär source.
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EU Court sharpens the bar for botanical health claimsA Court of Justice of the European Union ruling in april 2025 further tightened the requirements for how botanical ingredients (herbs, plant extracts) can be marketed with health claims in the EU, effectively removing much of the flexibility of the on-hold list.
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EU report identifies 117 supplement substances as potential health risksThe HoA Working Group on Food Supplements (26 European countries) published its first report evaluating 117 substances used in food supplements. Of these, 65 were assessed as likely novel foods, 6 were already regulated, 34 had insufficient data, and 12 were prioritized for Article 8 restriction under Regulation (EC) No 1925/2006. The 12 priority substances include ashwagandha, curcumin, melatonin, piperine, St. John's wort, coumarin, p-synephrine, maca, holy basil, Melaleuca, black cohosh, and L-tryptophan. The report drew on 1,500 RASFF alerts reviewed between 2017 and mid-2022.
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Tominaga et al. 20126 to 12 mg/day improved crow's-feet wrinkles and skin elasticity in 8 weeks.
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EU Health Claims Regulation adoptedRegulation (EC) No 1924/2006 laid down harmonised rules for nutrition and health claims made on foods, including supplements. Only claims listed in the EU Register of authorised claims can be used. Rejected botanical claims are held in a separate on-hold list.
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EU introduces the Novel Food RegulationRegulation (EC) No 258/97 required any food or food ingredient without a history of consumption in the EU before 15 maj 1997 to be authorised before being placed on the market. This is the framework that captures NMN, spermidine as a supplement ingredient, urolithin A, and many other longevity actives.
Astaxanthin reduces markers of protein oxidative damage across small human trials, but the largest 2024 memory trial mixed it with vitamin E and grape extract, so astaxanthin's standalone cognitive effect is still unproven.
Verified 2026-06-18. We update this section as new peer-reviewed trials land.
Best-supported claim
Astaxanthin's most consistent human finding is a reduction in oxidative protein damage. A 2025 systematisk översikt and metaanalys pooling 7 RCTs and 188 participants found astaxanthin at 4-28 mg/day significantly lowered advanced oxidation protein produkter, with a large effect size (SMD -1.06), though other oxidative and inflammatory markers did not significantly change (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41710469/). In a 2024 12-week trial in 40-to-70-year-olds with memory complaints, a supplement combining astaxanthin, vitamin E, and grape juice extract improved episodic memory and raised plasma BDNF versus placebo, but the multi-ingredient design means astaxanthin's individual contribution is unclear (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38892705/).
Not supported by the evidence base
Astaxanthin is sold as a proven 'super antioxidant' for skin, eyes, brain, and athletic performance, but a 2024 metaanalys of RCTs on fatigue, motor function, and cognition did not report clear, consistent benefits across these domains, and detailed effect sizes were not made public in the abstract (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38243785/). The single-ingredient cognitive case is weaker than marketing implies: the most cited human cognition trial tested astaxanthin only as part of a three-ingredient blend with vitamin E and grape extract, so claims that astaxanthin alone reverses memory decline outrun the actual trial design (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38892705/).
Typical dose
4-12 mg/day, with some studies using up to 28 mg/day for short durations
Säkerhet
Astaxanthin has shown no significant adverse events across RCTs at doses up to 28 mg/day for as long as 12 weeks (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41710469/). It can cause a harmless reddish skin tint at high doses due to its carotenoid pigment, similar to other carotenoids like beta-carotene. Personer on blood-thinning medication should use caution since astaxanthin has mild antiplatelet activity in laboratory studies, though this has not caused bleeding events in human RCTs to date. Pregnant or breastfeeding individuals lack sufficient safety data and should consult a physician.
Interactions worth flagging
- Theoretical additive effect with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs due to mild antiplatelet activity
- maj lower blood pressure slightly, relevant for people on antihypertensive medication
Three recent studies to know
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Effects of astaxanthin supplementation on oxidative stress biomarkers: a systematisk översikt and metaanalys of randomized controlled trials
Pooled analysis of 7 RCTs found astaxanthin significantly reduced protein oxidation markers (AOPP) but not lipid peroxidation, antioxidant enzymes, or IL-6.
Läs studie → -
An Examination into the Effects of a Nutraceutical Supplement on Cognition, Stress, Eye Health, and Skin Satisfaction in Adults with Self-Reported Cognitive Complaints: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial
A 12-week vitamin E, astaxanthin, and grape juice extract blend improved episodic memory and raised plasma BDNF versus placebo in adults with subjective memory complaints.
Läs studie → -
Effects of Astaxanthin Supplementation on Fatigue, Motor Function and Cognition: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Meta-analysis of RCTs examined astaxanthin's effects on fatigue, motor function, and cognition without establishing a clear, consistent benefit across all three domains.
Läs studie →
Landmark studies
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Tominaga et al. 2012
6 to 12 mg/day improved crow's-feet wrinkles and skin elasticity in 8 weeks.
Läs studie →
Found in these produkter (6)
Alla produkter in our catalog that contain Astaxanthin, ranked by our overall score. Ranking is editorial, never paid.
Buying guides and comparisons
Related ingredients
Se alla in Carotenoid / Antioxidant →Molekyler in the same class, plus the actives most often formulated alongside Astaxanthin in our catalogue.
Frequently asked questions
What is Astaxanthin?
The red pigment in salmon, shrimp, and flamingos. It's a very potent antioxidant that concentrates in skin, eyes, and muscle mitochondria.
What dose of Astaxanthin should I take?
The trial dose in published human studies is 8 mg per dag, with a range of 4 to 12 mg per dag. Always consult a qualified clinician before starting any supplement.
Is Astaxanthin safe?
Synthetic astaxanthin (from petrochemicals) is not the same stereoisomer as natural. Insist on Haematococcus source.
What is the best Astaxanthin supplement?
We track 6 produkter containing Astaxanthin. The top-ranked product scores 7.8 out of 10 on our composite scale, which evaluates dose, evidence, price, third-party testing, and transparency. See the comparison table above. Scores are editorial judgments, not a scientific standard.
What is the evidence grade for Astaxanthin?
Astaxanthin has evidence grade B, meaning it is supported by human RCTs. Grade A means replicated human RCTs with hard endpoints. Grade B means human RCTs with biomarker outcomes. Grade C means mixed or small human trials. See our evidence grading methodology.
Data verification
Bevisning grades are reviewed when new human RCTs are published. Product counts update automatically as new produkter are added. Dose ranges reflect published trial data, not brand recommendations. Read how we verify.