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Asx7.5
Astaxanthin Research
Mostly mechanism / observationalHigh safety
63 peer-reviewed studies
What the evidence says
Mostly mechanism / observational
Most Astaxanthin studies are mechanism or observational rather than RCTs that measure a clinical effect — keep findings provisional.
Most evidence is from high-quality meta-analyses and randomised trials published 2018–2026 with a typical study size of 47 participants.
Based on 63 studies · 11 meta-analyses · 18 RCTs · 2,848 total participants
Women's healthMay help manage menopausal symptoms like hot flashes and mood changes · 4-8 weeks · May help reduce menstrual discomfort and PMS symptoms · 1-3 cycles
Endurance & exercise performanceImproves fat oxidation and exercise endurance in athletes · 4-8 weeks
Too few graded studies2 studies
Liver health
Too few graded studies2 studies
Vision & eye healthReduces eye fatigue and supports retinal health · 4-8 weeks
Too few graded studies1 study
Muscle strength & power
Too few graded studies1 study
Fertility & reproductiveMay support reproductive health and fertility markers · 4-12 weeks
Too few graded studies1 study
Therapeutic & clinical
Too few graded studies1 study
Longevity & agingPowerful antioxidant with multiple health benefits · 4-8 weeks
Too few graded studies1 study
Safety profile
Too few graded studies1 study
By the numbers
Pulled from 6 studies with measurable effects
Likely real effects
100%
across studies
People studied
2,848
typical study: 47 people
Strongest designs
29
11 pooled, 18 randomised
Showed benefit
100%
1/1 studies
Populations Studied
Adults including T2DM patients1
Women undergoing fertility treatment1
Human subjects1
Healthy Japanese females1
Active research area
62 studies in the last 5 years · Latest meta-analysis: 2025
20182026
1Blood malondialdehyde concentrationMeta-AnalysisCited 25×n=380 · medium study2022
Compared with placebo, astaxanthin significantly reduced blood malondialdehyde concentration (standardized mean difference [SMD]: -0.95; 95% CI, -1.67 to -0.23; P = .01).
Ma B et al. · Nutrition research (New York, N.Y.) (2022)
Huge benefit
← WorseNo effectBetter →
Likely real
Compared with placebo, astaxanthin significantly reduced blood malondialdehyde concentration (standardized mean difference [SMD]: -0.95; 95% CI, -1.67 to -0.23; P = .01).
The lowering effect of astaxanthin supplementation on malondialdehyde was particularly significant in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients (SMD: -0.64; 95% CI, -1.26 to -0.01; P < .05).
Astaxanthin significantly reduced blood interleukin-6 concentration in T2DM patients (weighted mean difference: -0.70 pg/mL; 95% CI, -1.29 to -0.11 pg/mL; P = .02).
This systematic review shows that AST supplementation may improve assisted reproductive technology outcomes by enhancing oocyte quality and reducing OS in the reproductive organs.
Maleki-Hajiagha A et al. · Journal of ovarian research (2024)
This systematic review shows that AST supplementation may improve assisted reproductive technology outcomes by enhancing oocyte quality and reducing OS in the reproductive organs.
However, the evidence is limited by the heterogeneity, risk of bias, and small sample size of the included studies.
Ingestion and/or topical usages of ASX may be effective in reducing skin ageing and have promising cosmetical potential, as it improves moisture content and elasticity and reduces wrinkles.
Zhou X et al. · Nutrients (2021)
Ingestion and/or topical usages of ASX may be effective in reducing skin ageing and have promising cosmetical potential, as it improves moisture content and elasticity and reduces wrinkles.
4Skin health improvementSystematic ReviewCited 26×2021
Overall, there is some clinical data to support the benefits of astaxanthin supplementation (in the range of 3 to 6 mg/d) on skin health, especially for photoaged skin.
Ng QX et al. · Journal of dietary supplements (2021)
However, most available studies had a relatively small sample size and were conducted on healthy Japanese females.
Many of the studies were also funded by commercial entities, with potential conflicts of interests.
This was difficult to account for in our analyses.
Further well-designed clinical trials are needed to confirm optimal dosing and mechanisms of action.
Malcangi G et al. · International journal of molecular sciences (2026)
In women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) or endometriosis, ASX downregulated endoplasmic reticulum stress-related apoptotic pathways and improved oocyte and embryo quality.
Cardiometabolic and respiratory outcomes showed improved endothelial function and reduced disease severity.
Astaxanthin demonstrates broad antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, supporting its role as a promising adjunctive therapy for metabolic, reproductive, and cardiovascular health.
This repeated failure is likely because these studies ignore the extremely slow neurodegenerative process, which unfolds over many years.
Importantly, specific bioactive compounds from food can activate this pathway, increasing the production of these protective enzymes.
For instance, the omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), along with astaxanthin-a compound present in cold-water fish like salmon-have been demonstrated to enhance enzyme expression.
Carotenoid supplementation might be beneficial in reducing liver enzymes, especially in non-healthy participants and in those with a BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2.
Heydari SS et al. · BMC complementary medicine and therapies (2025)
Significant reductions in ALT levels occurred in < 12 weeks (P = 0.028), BMI ≥ 25 (P = 0.045), and among non-healthy participants (P = 0.015).
AST levels were significantly reduced in non-healthy participants (P = 0.003) with ages > 50 (P = 0.003) as well as GGT levels (P = 0.011) in non-healthy participants.
Carotenoid supplementation might be beneficial in reducing liver enzymes, especially in non-healthy participants and in those with a BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2.
Long-term RCTs are needed to corroborate risk-benefit ratios across different antioxidant functional lipid supplementation settings.
Wan S et al. · Nutrients (2024)
The benefits of antioxidant lipid supplementations appeared to be most evident in blood pressure and blood lipids in participants with different cardiometabolic health statuses.
Notably, n9 fatty acid increased triglyceride and hemoglobin A1C in the total population, which increases CVD risk.
Antioxidant lipid supplementations ameliorate cardiometabolic risk factors, while their effect may depend on type and cardiometabolic health status.
Key findings include the positive impacts of astaxanthin in relation to improving cognitive function, facilitating neuroprotection, and slowing neurodegeneration within given contexts.
Queen CJJ et al. · Nutrients (2024)
Given the aforementioned promising effects, research into astaxanthin with a focus on cognitive function has recently been extended to human tissue and human populations.
The present critical review explores the effects of astaxanthin on cognitive function and neurodegeneration within human populations and samples with the aim of deciphering the merit and credibility of the research findings and subsequently their potential as a basis for therapeutic use.
Implications, limitations, and areas for future research development are also discussed.
The review then concludes with the potential additive effects that astaxanthin may offer in conjunction with endurance training for the endurance athlete and offers some suggested practical recommendations for athletes and coaches interested in supplementing with astaxanthin.
Waldman H · Nutrients (2024)
Originally used in fish feed, astaxanthin has shown a greater ability to mitigate various reactive oxygen species and maintain the structural integrity of mitochondria compared to other exogenous antioxidants.
The review then concludes with the potential additive effects that astaxanthin may offer in conjunction with endurance training for the endurance athlete and offers some suggested practical recommendations for athletes and coaches interested in supplementing with astaxanthin.
Therefore, astaxanthin is worthy of further investigation for boosting human health, and wide applications in the food industry.
Cao Y et al. · Critical reviews in food science and nutrition (2023)
Gut microbiota may involve the fate of astaxanthin during digestion and absorption; thus, further knowledge is needed to establish accurate recommendations for dietary intake of both healthy and special populations.
Additionally, preclinical trials predict its potential effects such as intestinal flora regulation and anti-diabetic activity.
Therefore, astaxanthin is worthy of further investigation for boosting human health, and wide applications in the food industry.
We have also briefly discussed astaxanthin's protective effects on reproductive health.
Alugoju P et al. · Critical reviews in food science and nutrition (2023)
The natural dietary antioxidant supplementation offers substantial pharmacological and therapeutic effects against various disease conditions.
Astaxanthin is one such natural carotenoid with superior antioxidant activity than other carotenoids, as well as well as vitamins C and E, and additionally, it is known to exhibit a plethora of pharmacological effects.
We have also briefly discussed astaxanthin's protective effects on reproductive health.
The overall results supported possible protective effects of carotenoids on inflammatory biomarkers.
Hajizadeh-Sharafabad F et al. · Critical reviews in food science and nutrition (2022)
The random-effect model was used to analyze data and the overall effect size was computed as weighted mean difference (WMD) and corresponding 95% of confidence interval (CI).
A total of 26 trials with 35 effect sizes were included in this meta-analysis.
For the individual carotenoids, astaxanthin, (WMD: ‒0.30 mg/L, 95% CI: ‒0.51, ‒0.09, P = 0.005), lutein/zeaxanthin (WMD: ‒0.30 mg/L, 95% CI: ‒0.45, ‒0.15, P < 0.001), and β-cryptoxanthin (WMD: ‒0.35 mg/L, 95% CI: ‒0.54, ‒0.15, P < 0.001) significantly decreased CRP level.
However, more studies, including clinical trials, are needed to determine the influence of AST on miRNAs associated with CVDs.
Chaboksafar M et al. · International journal of food sciences and nutrition (2022)
In vivo articles revealed that AST increased the expression of miR-124, miR-7, miR-29a-3p, and miR-200a but decreased miR-21 and miR-31-5p and the only clinical study showed a drop in miR-146a.
The findings indicate that AST regulated different pathways of miRNAs implicated in various conditions.
Therefore AST as a new therapeutic strategy could be essential in preventing and controlling CVDs.
Concurrent supplementation with taurine, N-acetylcysteine, vitamins D and K2, and minerals, including magnesium, zinc, and manganese, plus a diet naturally high in potassium, may also be helpful in this regard.
McCarty MF et al. · International journal of molecular sciences (2022)
Additionally, certain flavonols, notably quercetin, can inhibit CK2 in high nanomolar concentrations that may be clinically relevant.
Many, though not all, of these agents have shown favorable effects on bone density and structure in rodent models of bone loss.
Complex nutraceutical regimens providing a selection of these nutraceuticals in clinically meaningful doses may have an important potential for preserving bone health.
18UV-induced skin deteriorationRCTCited 87×n=23 · very small study2018
Astaxanthin seems protective against UV-induced skin deterioration and helps maintain healthy skin in healthy people.
Ito N et al. · Nutrients (2018)
Subjective skin conditions for “improvement of rough skin” and “texture” in non-irradiated areas were significantly improved by astaxanthin.
The astaxanthin group showed increased MED compared with placebo.
In addition, the astaxanthin group had a reduced loss of skin moisture in the irradiated area compared with placebo.
19Inflammation and oxidative stress in endometriosisRCTCited 42×n=50 · small study2023
AST pretreatment can modulate inflammation and OS in endometriosis-induced infertile patients.
Rostami S et al. · Frontiers in endocrinology (2023)
Likely real
Increased serum levels of TAC (398.661 ± 57.686 vs. 364.746 ± 51.569; P = 0.004) and SOD (13.458 ± 7.276 vs. 9.040 ± 5.155; P = 0.010) were observed after AST therapy in the treatment group.
Furthermore, serum MDA (14.619 ± 2.505 vs. 15.939 ± 1.512; P = 0.031) decreased significantly following antioxidant treatment.
In addition, significantly lower serum levels of IL-1β (4.515 ± 0.907 vs. 6.8760 ± 0.8478; P = 0.000), IL-6 (5.516 ± 0.646 vs. 5.0543 ± 0.709; P = 0.024) and TNF-α (2.520 ± 0.525 vs. 2.968 ± 0.548; P = 0.038) were observed after AST treatment.
Collectively, seaweed-derived compounds represent promising candidates for multi-target therapeutic strategies in cognitive decline prevention in the context of AD and healthy brain ageing.
Ward K et al. · Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) (2025)
This review explores new avenues of therapy with a focus on bioactive compounds derived from brown, red and green seaweeds and their potential to modulate key mechanisms underlying AD.
Preclinical and emerging clinical studies demonstrate that phlorotannins, fucoidans, fucoxanthin, lutein, zeaxanthin, ulvan, and astaxanthin exert antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, cholinergic-modulating and neuroprotective effects.
Supplementation with seaweed-derived bioactive compounds has been shown to exert molecular and cellular effects that lead to reduced amyloid burden, preservation of synaptic integrity, and enhanced cognitive performance.