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Asx5.0
Astaxanthin Research
Likely helps
111 peer-reviewed studies
What the evidence says
Likely helps
Astaxanthin appears to help in 5 of 7 studies with measurable effects — the evidence leans clearly favourable.
Most evidence is from high-quality meta-analyses and randomised trials published 2003–2026 with a typical study size of 53 participants.
Based on 111 studies · 16 meta-analyses · 54 RCTs · 9,079 total participants
Confidence
High confidence
What the studies found
5helped1unclear1didn't help· 104 more without graded effect data
4Blood malondialdehyde concentrationMeta-Analysisn=380 · medium study2022
In plain English: 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).
In plain English: 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.
In plain English: 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.
In plain English: 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.
8Liver enzyme levels (ALT, AST, GGT)Meta-Analysisn=757 · large study2025
In plain English: 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)
Likely real
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.
9Inflammatory biomarkersMeta-Analysisn=26 · very small study2022
In plain English: 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)
Noticeable benefit
← WorseNo effectBetter →
Likely real
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.
11astaxanthin's protective effects against age-related diseasesReview2023
In plain English: 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.
In plain English: 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.
13Prevention of idiopathic Parkinson's diseaseReview2025
In plain English: Answering this will require further research.
Huenchuguala S et al. · Nutrients (2025)
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.
In plain English: 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.
16Cognitive function and neurodegenerationReview2024
In plain English: 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.
In plain English: 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.
In plain English: 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.
In plain English: 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.
In plain English: 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.