Astaxanthin dosage guidelines recommend taking between 4-8 mg, two to three times per day with meals. In some research studies, dosages of up to 40 mg of astaxanthin daily have been used safely.
There have not be enough clinical research studies into the effects of astaxanthin supplements to determine an optimal dosage. However, manufacturers suggest that positive effects can be achieved with dosages as low as 4-8 mg per day.
Astaxanthin is a natural carotenoid pigment found in seafood, such as krill and salmon. A typical four ounce serving of Atlantic salmon is believed to contain between 0.5 to 1.1 mg of astaxanthin. Sockeye salmon contains up to 4.5 mg of astaxanthin per serving.
This supplement is also found naturally in Krill Oil Omega-3 Fatty Acid supplements, but generally in lower dosages. For this reason, astaxanthin supplements may be preferred. These supplements often combine this compound with other carotenoids, such as zeaxanthin or beta-carotene.
Anti- Oxidant
Heart Health
Anti- Aging- Antioxidant and immune booster
- Supports cardiovascular health
- Shown to improve cholesterol levels
Astaxanthin Supplement Overview
Related Topics
Astaxanthin has come to be known as one of nature’s most powerful antioxidants. It is both a fat-soluble and water-soluble antioxidant compound, which means it is more useful in the body compared to other carotenoid anti-oxidants.
Astaxanthin is also considerably more potent on a per-dosage bases, compared to Vitamin E and other natural anti-oxidants used in the body. Compared to Vitamin E, it is 550 times more powerful for quenching singlet oxygen forms of oxidative damage.
Preliminary evidence shows not only antioxidant properties, but also anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antidiabetic and cardioprotective mechanisms of action. This supplement is said to have anti-aging benefits for eye health, neurons in the brain and for the heart and vascular system.
Popular Astaxanthin Uses
Astaxanthin is currently used for age-related macular degeneration, hypercholesterolemia, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, certain types of cancer and stroke. Other possible uses currently being researched include:
- Carpal tunnel syndrome;
- Dyspepsia (indigestion) and gastric ulcers;
- Muscle soreness induced by physical activity;
- Certain symptoms associated with menopause;
- Certain markers of male infertility;
- Osteoarthritis and certain other bone and joint-based conditions;
- Rheumatoid arthritis and certain other autoimmune diseases;
- Wrinkles in the skin (loss of elasticity);
Because of its potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, astaxanthin helps to reduce chronic low-grade systemic inflammation. This type of inflammation is associated with nearly every known disease.
Routine astaxanthin dosage administration may be helpful for improving certain factors of heart disease, type 2 diabetes mellitus, liver disease, cancer, aging and numerous other conditions and diseases.
Top Astaxanthin Supplements
Astaxanthin Dosage Recommendations
The following astaxanthin dosage gudelines are listed in the Natural Medicines database:
For general antioxidant effects, most astaxanthin supplement manufacturers recommend doses between 4 mg and 8 mg. These doses are to be taken 2 or 3 times daily with meals.
A specific astaxanthin supplement called AstaCarox® has been tested for its effects on functional dyspepsia. 40 mg doses were administered in divided doses each day for 28 days.
Very slight improvements were noted against a placebo agent concerning reductions in reflux syndrome symptoms. No reductions in Helicobacter pylori bacteria, heartburn or stomach pains were reported.
In the same trial, more significant effects were noted concerning CD4 and CD8 responses. CD4 and CD8 cells are “cluster of differentiation” cells. They are glycoproteins on the surfaces of immune cells. CD4 cells are mainly associated with fighting infections. CD8 cells are known primarily as cancer cell killers.
Xanthin® has been tested for its usefulness for increasing exercise capacity. The manufacturer recommends one 8 mg capsule before exercise, and another 8 mg capsule after exercise. Human research has shown that 4 mg doses before morning meals do not significantly improve endurance and/or strength markers.
Astaxanthin dosage recommendations for treating hyperlipidemia have been suggested by the makers of AstaREAL® Astaxanthin. Subjects diagnosed with mild hyperlipidemia were monitored for 12 weeks. 6 mg, 12 mg and 18 mg daily doses were tested. All doses elevated HDL-C (high density lipoprotein cholesterol) and reduced triglycerides.
In healthy human subjects, 3.6 mg, 7.2 mg and 14.4 mg AstaREAL® doses were administered daily for 14 days. Increasing dose-dependent effects were noted, especially concerning the reduction of LDL-C oxidation levels.
16 mg doses of AstaCarox® have improved certain markers of male infertility. Taken daily for 3 months, sperm fertility, motility and velocity were all increased.
Astavita AstaREAL® Astaxanthin dosages have improved certain skin conditions. Twice daily 2 mg doses, taken before breakfast and dinner over 6 weeks, improved elasticity, wrinkles, roughness, surface dryness and subdermal moisture content.
- Powerful Antioxidant and Immune Booster
- Supports cardiovascular health and anti-aging
- Shown to reduce LDL cholesterol and baseline triglycerides
BioAstin® is a combination supplement which contains astaxanthin, as well as other carotenoids, vitamins and minerals. Secondary sources state that taking 4 mg of BioAstin® daily for 2 weeks can help to inhibit sunburn.
In January, 2016, research was completed on BioAstin® concerning its possible effects on certain markers of renal transplant recovery. Three 4 mg doses were delivered daily for one year. No significant changes in arterial stiffness, inflammation or oxidative stress levels were noted when compared to baseline levels.
BioAstin® has also been tested for its effectiveness against carpal tunnel syndrome. 3 daily doses were administered for 8 weeks. No reductions in associated pain were noted.
RA (rheumatoid arthritis) is an autoimmune disease which causes joint pain, deformities and loss of function. BioAstin® has been used to reduce the pain and dissatisfaction associated with RA. 3 daily doses over 8 weeks have caused positive results.
MF Fragile is an astaxanthin supplement which also contains certain citrus bioflavonoids, lycopene and vitamin D3. Preliminary research involving menopausal women suggests improvements in certain symptoms. Daily doses for 8 weeks reduced mood swings, joint and bone pains, sudden urination impulses and hot flashes.
Conclusions
Different supplement manufacturers recommend different astaxanthin dosage levels, depending on the reason that this natural supplement is used. There have not been studies to determine an optimal dose of astaxanthin and there are no standardized dosage recommendations or formulation guidelines for this supplement.
Natural astaxanthin is not associated with any serious side effects. However, it does exhibit antihypertensive and antidiabetic effects which could cause side effects if combined with certain medications.
Talk with your doctor about using astaxanthin for specific health conditions. Your doctor can also help to recommend a personalized astaxanthin dosage depending on your needs
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- Stachowiak B1. Astaxanthin synthesis by Xanthophyllomyces dendrorhous DSM 5626 and its astaxanthin overproducing mutants on xylose media under different illumination. Acta Sci Pol Technol Aliment. 2014 Jul-Sep;13(3):279-88.
- Wu H1, Niu H2, Shao A3, Wu C4, Dixon BJ5, Zhang J6, Yang S7, Wang Y8. Astaxanthin as a Potential Neuroprotective Agent for Neurological Diseases. Mar Drugs. 2015 Sep 11;13(9):5750-66. doi: 10.3390/md13095750.
- Paiva SA1, Russell RM. Beta-carotene and other carotenoids as antioxidants. J Am Coll Nutr. 1999 Oct;18(5):426-33.
- Sies H1, Stahl W. Vitamins E and C, beta-carotene, and other carotenoids as antioxidants. Am J Clin Nutr. 1995 Dec;62(6 Suppl):1315S-1321S.
- Colmán-Martínez M1, Martínez-Huélamo M2, Miralles E3, Estruch R4, Lamuela-Raventós RM2. A New Method to Simultaneously Quantify the Antioxidants: Carotenes, Xanthophylls, and Vitamin A in Human Plasma. Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2015;2015:9268531. doi: 10.1155/2016/9268531. Epub 2015 Nov 30.
- Ni Y1,2, Nagashimada M1, Zhuge F1, Zhan L1, Nagata N1, Tsutsui A3, Nakanuma Y3, Kaneko S2, Ota T1,2. Astaxanthin prevents and reverses diet-induced insulin resistance and steatohepatitis in mice: A comparison with vitamin E. Sci Rep. 2015 Nov 25;5:17192. doi: 10.1038/step 17192.
- Lin KH1,2, Lin KC3,4, Lu WJ5, Thomas PA6, Jayakumar T7, Sheu JR8. Astaxanthin, a Carotenoid, Stimulates Immune Responses by Enhancing IFN-? and IL-2 Secretion in Primary Cultured Lymphocytes in Vitro and ex Vivo. Int J Mol Sci. 2015 Dec 29;17(1). pii: E44. doi: 10.3390/ijms17010044.
- Yeh PT1,2, Huang HW3, Yang CM1,4, Yang WS5,6, Yang CH1,4. Astaxanthin Inhibits Expression of Retinal Oxidative Stress and Inflammatory Mediators in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats. PLoS One. 2016 Jan 14;11(1):e0146438. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0146438.
- Coombes JS1, Sharman JE2, Fassett RG3. Astaxanthin has no effect on arterial stiffness, oxidative stress, or inflammation in renal transplant recipients: a randomized controlled trial (the XANTHIN trial). Am J Clin Nutr. 2016 Jan;103(1):283-9. doi: 10.3945/ajcn.115.115477. Epub 2015 Dec 16.
