Supplement
Astaxanthin
SaveA red keto-carotenoid produced by the microalga Haematococcus pluvialis, valued for its potent antioxidant activity and lack of pro-oxidant behaviour.
Quick verdict
One of the better-supported carotenoid antioxidants. Genuine benefits for skin UV resilience and exercise-induced oxidative stress, though effect sizes are moderate.
Evidence score
A rough internal score reflecting quantity, quality, and consistency of human evidence. Not a clinical recommendation.
What the research shows
RCTs show reduced skin wrinkles, improved skin elasticity, and decreased UV-induced DNA damage. Exercise studies show lower CRP and muscle damage markers. Lipid-lowering effects are inconsistent.
Benefits
- Potent singlet-oxygen quencher without pro-oxidant switching
- Improves skin UV resilience in RCTs
- May reduce exercise-induced oxidative damage
Dosage notes
4–12 mg/day with a fat-containing meal. Most trials use 4–8 mg.
Side effects
- Orange skin discolouration at high doses
- Mild GI upset
Who should be cautious
Can turn skin slightly orange at very high doses. Source quality matters (synthetic vs algal).
What this page cannot tell you
Antioxidant biomarker improvements don't always translate to hard clinical endpoints.
Leaderboard scores
- Longevity48
- Recovery45
- Immunity35
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