Astaxanthin
What astaxanthin is, where it comes from, how much a capsule holds and what dose limit the EU has set for it.
This substance has no health claim authorised in the European Union. So we describe what it is and how it is taken, but do not say what it does in the body.
What it is
Astaxanthin is a red-orange pigment of the carotenoid family. It is what colours salmon flesh, shrimp, crayfish and flamingos: they get it through food from microalgae. For supplements astaxanthin comes from the alga Haematococcus pluvialis, grown in closed systems.
Astaxanthin from this alga is authorised in the EU as a novel food for supplements, with a dose limit. It has no authorised health claims, so we do not write about skin, eyes or recovery.
How to read the label
Capsules usually hold 4–12 mg of astaxanthin. For supplements the EU has set a maximum of 8 mg of astaxanthin a day for adults, so compare the daily dose on the pack with that limit. Astaxanthin is fat-soluble and made as oil-filled softgels; it is sometimes added to krill oil and omega-3 complexes.
How it is taken
Take as the pack directs, with a meal containing fat, and do not exceed the daily dose. Astaxanthin products are not intended for children or for pregnant or breastfeeding women. People on regular medicines should ask a doctor first.
Frequently asked questions
Where does astaxanthin come from?
From the microalga Haematococcus pluvialis. It is the same pigment that colours salmon and shrimp.
How much astaxanthin a day is allowed?
For supplements the EU has set a maximum of 8 mg a day for adults. Follow the dose on the pack.
Why is it in oil-filled capsules?
Astaxanthin is fat-soluble, so it is made with oil and taken with a meal.
Products with astaxanthin
