Astaxanthin Benefits

The benefits of antioxidants have been studied for decades, revealing consistent research on how these protective nutrients can reinforce our cells against free radical damage while supporting overall health and wellbeing. Antioxidants such as vitamin C, vitamin E, lutein, zeaxanthin, and beta-carotene are likely already on your list of nutrients that boost longevity. But have you heard of the powerhouse antioxidant astaxanthin?

Astaxanthin is a carotenoid pigment with antioxidant properties that are significantly more potent than those of vitamin C. It is one of the most powerful antioxidants available and is entirely natural. Similar to how beta-carotene gives carrots their color, astaxanthin colors many of our favorite seafood such as fish and crustaceans. It colors sockeye salmon and is found in krill, shrimp, crab, lobster, red trout, and some algae. The research into the benefits of astaxanthin is still in its early stages, but it is increasingly becoming a focus for scientists.

Antioxidants like astaxanthin help protect your body at the cellular level from the negative effects of free radicals, which many experts believe can lead to serious health issues over time.¹ Free radicals are produced by natural processes such as the breakdown of sugars for energy and the release of digestive enzymes, as well as by environmental pollutants and the breakdown of medicines.¹

Benefits of Astaxanthin: What is Astaxanthin Good For?

Astaxanthin Skin Benefits
Astaxanthin provides antioxidant support for the skin ² and helps guard against changes in the skin due to UVA exposure.³ Research also suggests that astaxanthin can improve skin quality and provide anti-aging benefits, including potential improvements in skin elasticity, texture, moisture levels, and wrinkles.³

Astaxanthin Benefits for Eyes
Astaxanthin is an ingredient found in some of the best supplements for eye health. It can provide antioxidant protection for the eyes, boost retina blood flow, relax eye muscles, and reduce fatigue.⁴

Astaxanthin for Weight Loss
Astaxanthin has become a recent focus in weight loss studies and shows potential for supporting metabolic activity, reducing fat gain from a high-fat diet, and increasing fat usage during exercise,^5,6,7 although further research is needed.

Astaxanthin for Liver Support
As a powerful antioxidant carotenoid that accumulates in the liver, astaxanthin may help combat damage and support liver health.^8,9

Astaxanthin for Joints
Supplements containing astaxanthin may support joint health and reduce joint discomfort.¹⁰ Its potential benefits for weight loss may also positively affect joint health.¹¹

Astaxanthin for Cholesterol
Early research indicates that astaxanthin may help increase HDL, the "good" cholesterol.¹²

Astaxanthin for Reproductive Health
Several studies and a clinical trial are examining astaxanthin for the support of male reproductive health, with promising results so far.^13,14,15

Astaxanthin Skin Benefits

Astaxanthin offers multiple benefits for the skin. It accumulates in the dermis—the skin’s thickest layer—and helps guard against the effects of harmful UVA rays. UVA rays, which penetrate deeper than UVB rays, can reach the dermis, contributing to signs of aging and other skin-related health issues. The accumulation of astaxanthin in the dermis helps provide a reinforced barrier against this exposure, potentially reducing signs of aging.²

Astaxanthin also benefits the skin through its antioxidant properties, helping to protect skin cells from oxidative damage. Research suggests that astaxanthin may improve the skin’s moisture retention and assist with wrinkles, age spots, skin texture, and elasticity when taken orally and applied topically.³

Astaxanthin Benefits Eyes

Macular carotenoids like lutein and zeaxanthin accumulate in the retina and protect your eyes from damaging blue light rays, as well as age-related vision concerns. Astaxanthin may further benefit eye health by increasing blood flow to retina capillaries, relaxing eye muscles, providing antioxidant protection for the eyes, and helping relieve eye fatigue.⁴

Astaxanthin is often found in combination with other eye-healthy ingredients in supplements that support vision health like lutein, zeaxanthin, bilberry extract, and broccoli extract. These vision-supporting ingredients are included in BubbForest Health’s Vision Defense Formula. Learn more about supporting your eye health in About Blue Light and Eye Health and Top Foods that Promote Eye Health.

Astaxanthin Benefits Weight Loss

While more research is needed on the benefits of astaxanthin for weight loss, some studies suggest it may support metabolic activity,⁵ reduce weight gain associated with a high-fat diet, and help fight fat accumulation in the liver.⁶ It may also increase fatty acid utilization and reduce triglyceride levels, particularly increasing the amount of fat used for energy during exercise.^6,7

Most studies on astaxanthin for weight loss have involved mice, but the results have been promising, positioning astaxanthin as a potential focus for future weight loss and diet-related research.

Astaxanthin Liver Benefits

Multiple factors contribute to liver damage, often associated with oxidative stress. As a powerful antioxidant, astaxanthin is frequently touted for its ability to protect against free radicals and oxidative damage.⁸ It has even been described as a “scavenger of free radicals,” and has been reported to accumulate in the livers of mice.⁸ More studies, particularly human studies, are needed to explore the benefits of astaxanthin for the liver, but there are multiple indications that astaxanthin may help protect against liver concerns.^8,9

Astaxanthin Benefits for Joints

Some studies indicate that supplements containing astaxanthin may support joint health, reduce discomfort associated with joint issues¹⁰ and provide an energy boost for muscles⁷ that may help them better support healthy joints. Astaxanthin’s potential benefits for weight loss may also contribute to healthier joints since weight concerns can affect joint health, particularly knee health. The force exerted on your knees is equivalent to 1.5 times your actual weight.¹¹

Astaxanthin for Cholesterol

Early research suggests that astaxanthin may positively impact triglyceride levels and promote healthy cholesterol levels.¹²

Astaxanthin for Reproductive Health

Several studies and clinical trials have focused on astaxanthin for male reproductive health with surprisingly positive results.^13,14,15 However, experts say more extensive and detailed studies are required before astaxanthin can be specifically recommended for enhancing male reproductive health.

How Much Astaxanthin to Take?

While there is no established recommended daily intake for astaxanthin, most supplements intended for daily use contain 4mg-12mg. Based on scientific research, astaxanthin has been safely used in doses ranging from 4 mg to 40 mg per day for up to 12 weeks, and in combination with other carotenoids, vitamins, and minerals at 4 mg per day for up to a year.¹⁶

Foods that Contain Astaxanthin

If you are looking for foods rich in astaxanthin, the redder the better! Most natural astaxanthin comes from crustaceans, but there are also vegan sources, including red yeast, which is derived from rice.

Here are some natural sources of astaxanthin:¹⁷