Graded against 178,763 supplements and 757 reviewed supplement and medication pairs, sourced from PubMed, FDA CAERS, openFDA, NIH DSLD
Astaxanthin
SupplementLast updated April 2026
AVELOR SUMMARY
Astaxanthin is a carotenoid antioxidant found in salmon, shrimp, and microalgae, 10-100x more potent than other carotenoids in singlet oxygen quenching.
Our research shows moderate evidence for oxidative stress reduction, skin UV protection, and exercise recovery. Remarkably safe with virtually no drug interactions.
Astaxanthin is a xanthophyll carotenoid responsible for the red-pink color of salmon, trout, shrimp, and flamingos. Unlike beta-carotene and lycopene, astaxanthin spans the entire cell membrane (both inner and outer leaflets), providing antioxidant protection across the full lipid bilayer. It quenches singlet oxygen 6,000x more effectively than vitamin C and 550x more than vitamin E (PMID: 21457902).
Most supplemental astaxanthin is derived from Haematococcus pluvialis microalgae. Synthetic astaxanthin exists but lacks the esterified form found in nature.
OPTIMAL DOSAGE
General antioxidant: 4-12mg/day
Skin protection: 4-6mg/day for 6-8 weeks before sun exposure
Exercise recovery: 12mg/day
Take with fat, astaxanthin is fat-soluble; absorption increases 2-3x with dietary fat
Independently graded against 178,763 indexed supplements and 757 reviewed supplement and medication pairs, sourced from PubMed, FDA CAERS, openFDA, and NIH DSLD | Last updated: April 2026
Not medical advice. Based on published clinical research and systematic reviews.