Compound or practice · Supplement
Astaxanthin
A potent carotenoid antioxidant with modest skin-photoprotection and exercise-recovery signals.
- Overall grade
- Grade C
- Last revised
- 2
- graded outcomes
- 0
- references listed
A structured monograph in Prometheus's bundled library. Its grades are the monograph's own reading of the evidence, not a peer-reviewed review.
2 at grade C — 2 graded rows
What is known
Each outcome with its grade (how strong the evidence is, A to D), the size of the effect where the entry records one, and how often studies agree.
- Skin elasticity / UV protectionEvidence grade C
Small trials
Smallmixed
- Exercise recoveryEvidence grade C
Preliminary
Smalllow
What is uncertain
Read off the same rows as above. Nothing here is added that the entry does not itself record.
- Thin evidence: Skin elasticity / UV protection (grade C); Exercise recovery (grade C).
The evidence in words
What it is
Astaxanthin is a red carotenoid from algae (Haematococcus), one of the more potent lipid-soluble antioxidants.
How it works
It quenches reactive oxygen species in cell membranes and does not become pro-oxidant like some carotenoids.
What the evidence shows
Reasonable small-trial evidence for skin elasticity/moisture and UV-photoprotection, some exercise-recovery and eye-fatigue signals; larger outcomes are limited. Safe and stable.
How to use it
4–12 mg/day with fat.
Safety & interactions
Safe; harmless slight skin-tone change at high doses.
Bottom line
A legitimate antioxidant for skin photoprotection and possibly recovery. Modest, low-risk; take with fat.
How it is used
As the entry records it, from the studies it summarises. Not a recommendation for you — doses that suit a trial population may not suit you.
- Standard
- 4–12 mg/day with fat.
Related reading
Entries that share this one's tags or conditions.
- Astaxanthin for Exercise recoveryEvidence grade C — PreliminaryEvidence grade C
- Astaxanthin for Skin elasticity / UV protectionEvidence grade C — Small trialsEvidence grade C
- Astaxanthin: dosage and how to take it4–12 mg/day with fat.Evidence grade C
- Astaxanthin: side effects, safety & interactionsSafe; harmless slight skin-tone change at high doses.Evidence grade C
Sources
This entry lists no references of its own.
Last revised . A grade is this entry's reading of the evidence, not medical advice.