Astaxanthin is my go-to summer supplement, and it’s often called nature’s strongest antioxidant. It is a potent naturally occurring carotenoid found in foods like salmon and krill.
There are many well-researched reasons for taking this supplement, but I take it for one very noticeable benefit: sun protection.
My results have been drastic. Before supplementing, I could burn after just 15 minutes in the sun. Now, I can handle moderate (and healthy) sun exposure without burning at all.
I guess you could say I eat my sunscreen!
What Is Astaxanthin?
Astaxanthin (pronounced asta-zan-thin) is a naturally occurring carotenoid found in seafood and sea life, like crustaceans and microalgae. According to the Linus Pauling Institute, carotenoids are a class of over 750 richly colored molecules synthesized by plants, algae, and photosynthetic bacteria.
Carotenoids are responsible for the bright colors of plants and vegetables. While you probably knew that beta carotene is orange, astaxanthin is responsible for the red colors seen in flamingos, salmon (especially sockeye salmon), and krill. Interesting fact, it is the higher astaxanthin content that gives wild-caught salmon a brighter red color than their farmed counterparts.
Astaxanthin is one of the most powerful carotenoids. It is produced in nature as a protectant itself from the effects of losing its nutrient supply and to stay alive. This explains why it’s found in very high amounts in salmon. They need it for the endurance to swim upstream!
Plus, astaxanthin is an incredibly potent antioxidant. While other types of antioxidants can become pro-oxidant, or harmful, during the digestive process, astaxanthin retains its broad range of health benefits.
Top 5 Benefits of Astaxanthin
While I take astaxanthin mainly for its protective effects against the sun, there are lots of amazing benefits of this super antioxidant.
Here are the top five ways your immune system and other bodily functions may benefit:
Fights Pain and Inflammation
If you thought vitamin C was a powerful antioxidant, consider this: astaxanthin is shown to be up to 6,000 times as potent! All antioxidants can fight free radicals to help reduce inflammation, but astaxanthin offers several unique properties that make it especially beneficial.
First, it has a unique ability to cross the blood-brain barrier. Animal studies show that this can help reduce neuroinflammation and might be protective against certain brain injuries. This might also be helpful for those with Alzheimer’s Disease or other cognitive diseases.
Taking this dietary supplement might increase your eye health as well. Astaxanthin can also cross the blood-retinal barrier to directly reduce inflammation in the eyes.
Astaxanthin also might also offer general pain relief for things like joint inflammation, especially carpal tunnel syndrome and rheumatoid arthritis. It’s also great for soothing muscle soreness and sports injuries.
Boosts Endurance
If your workout routine needs a boost (or if you’re suffering from muscle damage), you might want to consider supplementing with astaxanthin.
Athletes are especially likely to see positive effects from taking this supplement. One clinical trial of healthy paramedic students found that taking astaxanthin for six months significantly increased the number of squats they could do — up to three times as much as the placebo group.
In addition to boosting strength and endurance, astaxanthin’s ability to fight free radicals helps speed up recovery time. In other words, the lack of muscle soreness after exercising might also play a role in its ability to increase strength and endurance.
Protects Against Sun Damage
One of the main reasons I started taking astaxanthin is because of its impressive sun-protective benefits. It works by reducing the UVA damage to skin cells from the inside. I am naturally fair skinned and this supplement allows me to get healthy sun exposure without burning or getting freckles.
Astaxanthin’s unique sun protective properties come from the algae Haematococcus pluvialis, which creates this pigment as a protection from the heat and sun to save itself when it loses its water supply. Similarly, astaxanthin works as an internal sunscreen for humans and gives skin a subtle, natural reddish-brown pigment while it protects against DNA damage.
Getting a sunburn means your body is suffering through a type of inflammation. If there are other sources of inflammation in the body, your skin is more likely to burn. My lab results found that since taking astaxanthin regularly and eating an anti-inflammatory diet, I have lower levels of inflammation and I tan more easily without burning.
Plus, the extra boost in skin moisture from taking astaxanthin doesn’t hurt!
In case you’re wondering, here’s how to make your own natural sunscreen that you can use together with astaxanthin for superior sun protection.
Contains Anti-Aging Properties
If your beauty routine needs a boost, consider getting more astaxanthin. You’ll naturally reap the cosmetic benefits due to its antioxidant activity. Specifically, its ability to fight free radicals.
Since this pigment can protect our cells and DNA to fight against oxidative damage, it helps boost skin elasticity, reduces the size of age spots, and even helps smooth out wrinkles.
Research finds that after just four to six weeks of taking astaxanthin, participants noticed a reduction of UV-related aging and overall improved skin health.
Might Ease Cardiovascular Disease
Turns out that the antioxidant effect of astaxanthin can be beneficial to those with heart disease as well.
While more research needs to be done, recent studies found that use of astaxanthin led to a reduction in biomarkers of oxidative stress, which helped improve overall heart health.
Plus, animal studies find that eating an astaxanthin-rich diet can lower blood pressure in hypertensive rats.
How I Use It
I consider astaxanthin more of a food than a supplement, and I try to consume it as part of a healthy diet. I love seafood, so no problem there! Wild-caught salmon is a regular part of our diet, and we get ours here.
That being said, it would be very difficult to get large amounts from food. There are also mercury concerns with consuming high levels of seafood.
I’ve been using this supplement daily for several years, especially during warmer months when the sun is strongest. I typically take one 12 mg of astaxanthin each day, usually in the morning and with a meal or drink that contains fat, like my healthy coffee or tea.
For best results, start with this supplement well before summer to build up your system and prepare for enjoying the sun safely!Safety of Astaxanthin
Supplementing with astaxanthin is likely safe. Side effects might include stomach pain if you take high doses. You might also need to take more frequent trips to the bathroom, and don’t be alarmed if your stools are a reddish color.
Since there aren’t enough studies to prove that it’s safe, it is probably best to avoid supplementing with astaxanthin if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding.
The Bottom Line
Astaxanthin is a powerful antioxidant that can help improve your skin, benefit your heart and brain, and protect your skin against aging and sun damage.
I’ve found it to be helpful for me personally, but I’m not a doctor and can’t tell you what would work best for you. As with any other changes to your diet, be sure to check with your healthcare professional before starting astaxanthin supplementation.
Of course, adding a bit of extra salmon or krill to your diet can only be beneficial!
Have you ever taken astaxanthin? Did you notice any benefits? Share below!

Is this safe to take while nursing?
I do but check with a doc to be sure
I had a horrible experience with it. I’m very regular when it comes to my period and it made me a week late and made me break out. I did some research and all I could find is that it can cause hormonal changes but no specifics. It seems like it has not been researched well at all. I was excited about this supplement too but I would be careful about taking it during pregnancy.
Great timing– I have been planning to add astaxanthin to my regimen but have been putting different brands into and out of my amazon cart for the past week, and am glad to have a recommendation to trust!
I see in a previous article you wrote that you don’t give astaxanthin supplements to your kids. Has that changed? Or is there any particular reason why I shouldn’t? I haven’t come across any good reason not to, for those who can swallow pills…
Mine couldn’t swallow pills at the time…
Nice article well done !!
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Super interesting! I usually shy away from pills of any sort, preferring to get everything I can out of the food I eat. But this has me curious as it’s not something that I could ever find anywhere else. Now, to find it in France, that’ll be the challenge!
Why is this post not helpful? I had the same reaction to the comment about it being ‘food based’ suggesting safety. Yes you do say ‘consult your doctor’ however consumers are used to this as a blanket statement to protect from litigation, and often they dismiss it.
Your recommendation for Astaxanthin is compelling and I will definitely look at this supplement. But would hope pregnant and breast feeding women seek further information.
Do you give this to your kids?
Hi, I’m 30 weeks pregnant and wondering if it’s safe to take while pregnant? Thanks!
Very timely post! I just started researching this supplement a few weeks ago and am planning to start taking it as soon as my order arrives. Thank you for all the wonderful information you share!
Can this you take during pregnancy?
Have you adjusted the amount that you take when you are are/not nursing or pregnant?
Hi Katie, Do you take this during pregnancy? If so, do you think it helped with energy?
Always check with a doc before taking anything during pregnancy, but I felt comfortable taking it since it was food based and helped reduce inflammation and free radicals, both which can be dangerous during pregnancy
Just a little word of warning. I do not mean to be inflammatory but feeling safe simply because something is “food based’ is not wise. It’s like saying organic is good. Arsenic is organic. Formaldehyde is organic. I don’t want them in my daily diet! Even 100% healthy food can be reactive (allergies?) to many people, and then let’s think of some common, well-known “food-based” substances–White table sugar. Pasteurized processed cheese “food.” The list is endless. Those are food based, they are foods but certainly not things one would recommend a pregnant or otherwise person would want to consume much.
Secondly, I’m not sure what “food based” actually means in this context. Isn’t whether something is a “Food” or not a judgment call, that is “food” is more of a subjective definition than an objective one? Food in some countries is chocolate covered ants and bugs, however, bugs are not food in my little world. So far. There are other cultures (no pun intended) that find any cheese type product rancid leftover residue and would never consider this a “food.” This said, I fully support your choice for trying to consume healthy and I think astaxanthin is a good, overall supplement. I encourage you to do your own research.
That’s why it says ALWAYS CHECK WITH YOUR DOCTOR FIRST. Your incredibly long post is not helpful.
FYI most traditional doctors actually know nothing about nutrition and prevention. 5 of my best friends are ER doctors and they’ll tell you that they are never trained on those subjects to any kind of extent in Med school. So – ask your ND / nutritionist / functional Med Doctor and you’ll probably be in a better position to be more informed.
agreed. not much info, as usual