Astaxanthin chemistry, sources and potential health effects in people
What it found
Astaxanthin has been linked to heart disease prevention, immune support, fighting a stomach bug and cataract prevention.
Most of this research was done in lab tests or early human studies rather than large trials.
What they found
Studies in people and animals
Potential health benefits
Taking astaxanthin has been linked to preventing heart disease, boosting the immune system, fighting the stomach bug Helicobacter pylori and preventing cataracts. The authors note these links come mostly from lab tests or early human studies.
Other findings
Sources of astaxanthin
Most astaxanthin sold worldwide is made synthetically. Natural versions come from green algae, red yeast and leftover parts of crustaceans.
Use in fish farming
For over two decades, astaxanthin has been added to feed for farmed salmon and crustaceans. It gives them their typical pink colour and plays a role in reproduction. This remains the biggest market for the pigment.
Antioxidant activity
Astaxanthin has an unusual type of antioxidant activity. This property has driven a rapid rise in sales of encapsulated supplements.
What the authors conclude
- They note that research into the health benefits of astaxanthin is very recent.
- They point out that most studies have been done in lab tests or at an early stage with people.
- They gathered the current evidence on how astaxanthin works chemically and what it might do for human health.
How it was done
Astaxanthin is widely used to give farmed salmon and crustaceans their pink colour. Interest has grown in using it as a supplement because of its unusual antioxidant properties.
The authors gathered and examined the available evidence on astaxanthin chemistry and its possible benefits for people. They note that most health research so far has been done in lab tests or early human studies.
What it can’t tell you
- We summarised it from the abstract only.
- Most of the health research was done in lab tests or early human studies. These cannot show whether taking astaxanthin prevents disease in everyday life.
- Lab tests on cells do not always match what happens inside a person's body.
The paper
- Title
- Astaxanthin: a review of its chemistry and applications
- Type
- ReviewThe authors read earlier studies and describe what they found. It isn’t a new study.
- Evidence
- Studies in people · animals · lab
- Summarised from
- Abstract only
- Cite
- Higuera-Ciapara I, Félix-Valenzuela L, Goycoolea FM (2006). Astaxanthin: a review of its chemistry and applications. Critical reviews in food science and nutrition. doi:10.1080/10408690590957188PubMed 16431409DOI
Summary written 1 Oct 2026. Check it against the paper before it changes what you eat. How we summarise papers · Report an error