Astaxanthin

Story

Connected to · 3

regulates · 1

Multivitamin
Astaxanthin and beta-carotene are both carotenoids. In ATBC and CARET, two large randomized trials in smokers, beta-carotene supplements increased lung cancer. One explanation is that at high doses carotenoids switch from antioxidant to pro-oxidant, but that has not been shown directly. More antioxidant is not better.

contrast · 2

Spirulina
Store shelves often lump together two unrelated molecules: real astaxanthin comes from a red microalga (Haematococcus pluvialis) and is an orange-to-deep-red carotenoid, while the blue Blue Majik is phycocyanin, a protein from spirulina. A product labeled "blue astaxanthin" is essentially selling the two as one.
Lutein + Zeaxanthin
Both are carotenoids, but the evidence is not in the same league. Lutein and zeaxanthin are the main pigments of the macula; in intermediate age-related macular degeneration, AREDS2 found they can safely replace the formula's beta-carotene, though adding them did not slow progression further. Astaxanthin has had no such trial, and eye-health blends of several carotenoids have never been compared.

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The pigment that turns salmon pink

EVIDENCEREVIEW 1

READ THE ORIGINAL

Astaxanthin is the pigment that turns salmon flesh pink, and a flamingo's pink comes from the same family of pigments. Your body cannot make it; you only get it through the food chain: microalgae make it, small crustaceans such as krill eat the algae, and fish eat the krill.

It belongs to the carotenoids, like β-carotene and lutein, but the groups at its two ends are different, so it sits in the cell membrane in a different way: it spans the whole membrane. That is the biggest difference from its relatives, and the chapter on how it protects cell membranes explains it.

Food usually supplies only a fraction of a milligram, and supplement doses are about ten times higher. Its better-supported uses in people are narrow: as an aid against screen-related eye fatigue and alongside sun protection for the skin.

Educational content, not medical advice — consult a clinician.

Back

Astaxanthin

Story

Connected to · 3

regulates · 1

Multivitamin
Astaxanthin and beta-carotene are both carotenoids. In ATBC and CARET, two large randomized trials in smokers, beta-carotene supplements increased lung cancer. One explanation is that at high doses carotenoids switch from antioxidant to pro-oxidant, but that has not been shown directly. More antioxidant is not better.

contrast · 2

Spirulina
Store shelves often lump together two unrelated molecules: real astaxanthin comes from a red microalga (Haematococcus pluvialis) and is an orange-to-deep-red carotenoid, while the blue Blue Majik is phycocyanin, a protein from spirulina. A product labeled "blue astaxanthin" is essentially selling the two as one.
Lutein + Zeaxanthin
Both are carotenoids, but the evidence is not in the same league. Lutein and zeaxanthin are the main pigments of the macula; in intermediate age-related macular degeneration, AREDS2 found they can safely replace the formula's beta-carotene, though adding them did not slow progression further. Astaxanthin has had no such trial, and eye-health blends of several carotenoids have never been compared.

Read full story

Stop 1/6

The pigment that turns salmon pink

EVIDENCEREVIEW 1

READ THE ORIGINAL

Astaxanthin is the pigment that turns salmon flesh pink, and a flamingo's pink comes from the same family of pigments. Your body cannot make it; you only get it through the food chain: microalgae make it, small crustaceans such as krill eat the algae, and fish eat the krill.

It belongs to the carotenoids, like β-carotene and lutein, but the groups at its two ends are different, so it sits in the cell membrane in a different way: it spans the whole membrane. That is the biggest difference from its relatives, and the chapter on how it protects cell membranes explains it.

Food usually supplies only a fraction of a milligram, and supplement doses are about ten times higher. Its better-supported uses in people are narrow: as an aid against screen-related eye fatigue and alongside sun protection for the skin.

Educational content, not medical advice — consult a clinician.