Astaxanthin
Astaxanthin is a red carotenoid pigment produced by the microalga Haematococcus pluvialis. It reaches crustaceans and salmon through their food and colors them red.
Also listed as Cardax
Does it improve skin moisture or wrinkles?
A 2021 meta-analysis found improvements in skin moisture and elasticity with oral astaxanthin, but no statistically clear reduction in wrinkle depth. A separate clinical review highlighted small samples, mostly healthy Japanese women, and frequent commercial funding. 1 2
Moisture and elasticity results are promising, but the evidence has important limitations. 1 2
Can it lower blood sugar or blood pressure?
A 2022 review in adults at risk of metabolic syndrome found no clear overall reductions in fasting blood glucose, body mass index or diastolic blood pressure, the lower reading. The result for systolic pressure, the upper reading, was borderline, so it does not establish a dependable treatment effect. 3
The pooled fasting-glucose result did not show a significant benefit. 3
What about fatigue, thinking and exercise?
A 2024 review included 11 trials with 346 healthy participants. Fatigue findings came from only two studies; cognitive accuracy results were borderline and reaction time did not improve significantly. Exercise performance showed a positive pooled result, but the authors called for larger studies. 4
Does it prevent eye disease?
The German consumer advice centers consider evidence for eye-health claims inadequate. They recommend discussing supplements with an eye-care practice when an eye disease is already present. 5
Effects by health goal
Open an effect to see the studies behind its rating. Bars show the size of the effect; the letter grades the evidence.
Longevity2 effects
Hair & Skin3 effects
Weight Management1 effect
Immune Support1 effect
Organ Function1 effect
Cardiovascular2 effects
Fitness1 effect
Cognition2 effects
Other effects1 effect
All studies
29 publications are linked to Astaxanthin, newest first.
Sources
- Astaxanthin für den guten Durchblick? Verbraucherzentrale Baden-Württemberg