Astaxanthin
Carotenoid antioxidant
Red xanthophyll carotenoid pigment from microalgae and marine organisms, studied for singlet-oxygen and free-radical quenching in laboratory assays.
Evidence level. Published human clinical data exists, from trials or approved use. About the badges
- Class
- Carotenoid antioxidant
- Category
- Antioxidants & Specialty
- Type
- Single compound
- Development and regulatory status
- Carotenoid; dietary supplement and feed colourant; not a drug
What researchers study
Red xanthophyll carotenoid pigment found in microalgae and marine organisms. Its structure lets it sit across lipid membranes, and it is reported to quench singlet oxygen and free radicals in laboratory assays.
Research areas
- Lipid peroxidation and membrane oxidative stress
- Free-radical quenching assays
- Inflammation biomarkers in human trials
- Photo-oxidation models in eye and skin cells
Reported findings
Summaries of published results. Each one is tagged with the type of study behind it. They describe research outcomes and are not claims about any product. Why study type matters.
- review
A 2022 meta-analysis of 12 randomized trials (380 participants) found astaxanthin lowered blood malondialdehyde versus placebo (standardized mean difference -0.95)
- review
In type 2 diabetes participants interleukin-6 was lower, while C-reactive protein and TNF-alpha changes were not significant
Studied alongside
Compounds that appear together in research because their mechanisms complement each other, or as comparators. The reasons given are research reasoning, not recommendations for use.
- GlutathioneBoth studied in oxidative-stress and redox-balance research
- MelatoninAnother antioxidant studied for free-radical scavenging in laboratory models
