Astaxanthin
Research reviewed: Up until 03/2026
Astaxanthin (Haematococcus pluvialis) is a dietary supplement with 10 published peer-reviewed studies involving 872 participants, researched for Antioxidant & Anti-Inflammatory Effects, Exercise Performance & Recovery, Skin Health & Anti-Ageing and 1 more areas.
Evidence at a Glance
Strength is scored by study design, sample size, study type, and outcomes
Antioxidant & Anti-Inflammatory Effects
StrongExercise Performance & Recovery
ModerateSkin Health & Anti-Ageing
ModerateCardiovascular & Metabolic Health
StrongResearch Visualised
Visual breakdown of the clinical data.
Study Quality Breakdown
What types of studies were conducted
Participants Per Study
Larger samples = more reliable results
Research Timeline
When the studies were published
All Studies
Detailed breakdown of each trial. Click to expand.
Antioxidant & Anti-Inflammatory Effects
To evaluate the effects of astaxanthin supplementation on oxidative stress and inflammation biomarkers in humans through a systematic review and meta-analysis of RCTs.
Study Type
Systematic review and meta-analysis
Purpose
To evaluate the effects of astaxanthin supplementation on oxidative stress and inflammation biomarkers in humans through a systematic review and meta-analysis of RCTs.
Dose
Various (4-40 mg/day)
Participants
Meta-analysis of multiple RCTs
Duration
Various
Results
Astaxanthin supplementation mildly but significantly reduced oxidative stress markers (MDA) and inflammation biomarkers (CRP, IL-6). Effects were more pronounced at higher doses and longer durations.
How They Measured It
MDA, SOD, CRP, IL-6, TNF-α across included trials
To assess the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of astaxanthin as adjunctive therapy in community-acquired pneumonia.
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To assess the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of astaxanthin as adjunctive therapy in community-acquired pneumonia.
Dose
12 mg/day astaxanthin
Participants
80 patients hospitalised with community-acquired pneumonia
Duration
7 days
Results
Astaxanthin adjunctive therapy significantly reduced inflammatory markers (CRP, IL-6, TNF-α) and improved antioxidant capacity compared to standard treatment alone. Clinical recovery was faster in the astaxanthin group.
How They Measured It
CRP, IL-6, TNF-α, total antioxidant capacity, clinical recovery outcomes
To investigate the effects of oral astaxanthin on arterial stiffness, oxidative stress, and inflammation in renal transplant recipients.
Study Type
Randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind
Purpose
To investigate the effects of oral astaxanthin on arterial stiffness, oxidative stress, and inflammation in renal transplant recipients.
Dose
12 mg/day astaxanthin
Participants
61 renal transplant patients
Duration
12 months
Results
Astaxanthin had no significant effect on arterial stiffness, oxidative stress, or inflammation in renal transplant recipients. This population may be different from healthy individuals due to immunosuppressive medications.
How They Measured It
Pulse wave velocity (arterial stiffness), oxidative stress markers, inflammatory biomarkers
Exercise Performance & Recovery
To examine the effects of astaxanthin supplementation on physical activity factors, lipid profile, inflammatory markers, and antioxidant indices in athletic men.
Study Type
Systematic review and meta-analysis
Purpose
To examine the effects of astaxanthin supplementation on physical activity factors, lipid profile, inflammatory markers, and antioxidant indices in athletic men.
Dose
Various (4-20 mg/day)
Participants
Meta-analysis of RCTs in male athletes
Duration
Various
Results
Astaxanthin supplementation significantly improved cycling time trial performance and total antioxidant capacity (TAC: SMD 1.1, 95% CI 0.43-1.77, p=0.046). No significant effect on VO2max or lipid profile.
How They Measured It
VO2max, endurance performance, lipid profile, CRP, TAC across RCTs
To assess the effect of astaxanthin supplementation on cycling performance, muscle damage biomarkers and oxidative stress in young adults.
Study Type
Randomised, crossover, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To assess the effect of astaxanthin supplementation on cycling performance, muscle damage biomarkers and oxidative stress in young adults.
Dose
28 mg/day astaxanthin
Participants
10 physically active male adults (mean age 22.5 years)
Duration
4 days (acute loading)
Results
Astaxanthin supplementation significantly reduced TNF-α and hs-CRP after exercise compared to placebo. Total antioxidant capacity was higher in the AST trial. Muscle damage markers (CK, LDH) were not significantly reduced.
How They Measured It
Cycling time trial performance, CK, LDH (muscle damage), MDA, TAC (oxidative stress), TNF-α, hs-CRP
To assess effects of 4-week astaxanthin supplementation on athletic performance and body composition in young male taekwondo athletes.
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To assess effects of 4-week astaxanthin supplementation on athletic performance and body composition in young male taekwondo athletes.
Dose
20 mg/day astaxanthin
Participants
30 male taekwondo athletes
Duration
4 weeks
Results
Astaxanthin supplementation did not significantly change body composition but improved some anaerobic performance indicators. Antioxidant enzyme activities were significantly higher in the astaxanthin group.
How They Measured It
Anaerobic performance (Wingate test), body composition (DEXA), muscle strength (isokinetic dynamometry)
Skin Health & Anti-Ageing
To systematically evaluate whether astaxanthin applications have anti-ageing effects on human skin.
Study Type
Systematic review and meta-analysis
Purpose
To systematically evaluate whether astaxanthin applications have anti-ageing effects on human skin.
Dose
3-6 mg/day oral astaxanthin
Participants
Meta-analysis of 11 studies (9 RCTs on oral, 2 on topical/oral)
Duration
8-16 weeks
Results
Oral astaxanthin supplementation significantly improved skin moisture content, elasticity, and reduced wrinkle depth. Effects were consistent across multiple well-controlled RCTs, suggesting a real anti-ageing benefit for human skin.
How They Measured It
Skin elasticity, moisture, wrinkle depth, texture, sebum content across included studies
To summarise clinical evidence for astaxanthin effects on skin health including photoprotection, moisture, wrinkles, and elasticity.
Study Type
Systematic review
Purpose
To summarise clinical evidence for astaxanthin effects on skin health including photoprotection, moisture, wrinkles, and elasticity.
Dose
3-12 mg/day oral astaxanthin
Participants
Systematic review of 11 clinical studies
Duration
8-16 weeks
Results
Clinical studies support astaxanthin's beneficial effects on skin moisture, elasticity, and wrinkle reduction, with consistent findings across RCTs and prospective studies. Oral supplementation appears effective for skin anti-ageing.
How They Measured It
Various skin health outcomes across 11 clinical studies
Cardiovascular & Metabolic Health
To evaluate the effect of astaxanthin on lipid metabolism, oxidative stress markers, and body composition in overweight subjects.
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To evaluate the effect of astaxanthin on lipid metabolism, oxidative stress markers, and body composition in overweight subjects.
Dose
6 mg/day or 12 mg/day astaxanthin
Participants
61 overweight and obese adults
Duration
12 weeks
Results
Both doses of astaxanthin significantly reduced triglycerides and improved HDL cholesterol. Oxidative stress markers (MDA, 8-OHdG) were significantly reduced. Effects were dose-dependent.
How They Measured It
Triglycerides, LDL, HDL, apolipoprotein B, MDA, 8-OHdG
To evaluate the effects of astaxanthin on blood pressure, oxidative stress, and inflammation in patients with hypertension.
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To evaluate the effects of astaxanthin on blood pressure, oxidative stress, and inflammation in patients with hypertension.
Dose
6 mg/day astaxanthin
Participants
27 hypertensive adults
Duration
8 weeks
Results
Astaxanthin supplementation significantly reduced systolic blood pressure and improved antioxidant markers (SOD activity) compared to placebo. CRP and MDA were also reduced.
How They Measured It
Blood pressure, CRP, MDA, SOD activity
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Astaxanthin research
There are currently 13 peer-reviewed studies on Astaxanthin (Haematococcus pluvialis), involving 872 total participants. Research covers Antioxidant protection, Exercise performance, Skin health and 1 more areas. The overall evidence strength is rated as Very Strong.
The evidence is currently rated as "Very Strong Evidence". This rating is based on study design quality (randomisation, blinding, placebo controls), sample sizes, study types (10 human studies), and reported outcomes.
Astaxanthin has been researched for: Antioxidant protection, Exercise performance, Skin health, Anti-inflammation. Each area has its own body of evidence which you can explore in the study breakdowns above.
Yes, 10 out of 13 studies are human trials. Human trials carry more weight in our evidence scoring system.
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