The 7 Best Astaxanthin Supplements of 2020 Reviewed
Astaxanthin is a carotenoid pigment that gives trout, salmon, and other fish their pinkish color. This pigment does more than make pretty colors, it is an antioxidant, and is said to have many health benefits, including improving skin appearance, increasing endurance, soothing joint pain, impacting your heart health, and even treating cancer. But how accurate are these statements, and what does this helpful pigment do for the human body?
Astaxanthin is an antioxidant, and as such is targeted by a lot of health claims, some of a more dubious nature. Still, astaxanthin has been linked to improving blood flow and lowering oxidative stress in smokers and those who are overweight. While some claim astaxanthin can fight off or even cure cancer, unfortunately, this is not true, but it can help regulate your blood flow, and may even help reduce wrinkles and brighten the appearance of your skin.
While astaxanthin has been shown to impact endurance and fatigue levels in mice, nothing has been proven as far as people go. Still, this supplement is useful for your overall health, and while it may not be the world’s ultimate superfood, it’s a good source of antioxidants and can help you stay at your best. Not a fan of the pill form? You can still get astaxanthin the old-fashioned way by eating salmon and trout, but these supplements offer the same benefits without any of the added calories or unwanted fats for your diet.
The Best Astaxanthin Supplements
Here are some of the best astaxanthin supplements on the market to help with everything from blood flow regulation to skin problems and even joint health.
1. BioAstin Hawaiian Astaxanthin
While this supplement may help with skin conditions and may improve the appearance of your skin, it is always important to wear sunblock when in direct sunlight. However, for anyone with dry or sagging skin, this combination of nutrients may help increase your skin’s natural elasticity, and with a company committed to quality and safety, you can rest easy knowing you’re putting only the very best ingredients into your body.
Not only does BioAstin offer their original formula, but they also produce a vegan alternative, for those who would rather not consume any animal products for dietary or philosophical reasons. Their vegan alternative sources the astaxanthin from the algae that creates it as a stress response or in response to excess sunlight. This added benefit alone would be enough to rocket this supplement to the top of our list but paired with their commitment to quality and the overall benefits of this supplement, this is easily our top choice.
2. Viva Naturals Astaxanthin
For those looking to ease into taking astaxanthin, Viva Naturals also offers a 4 mg option that comes in a 120-count bottle, meaning you can work your way up to the recommended daily dose. This is important, as some people note that the added olive oil combined with the astaxanthin causes them to have loose stools. While this is not a major side effect, it is worth being prepared. As always, talk to your primary care provider before starting a new supplement, especially if you have gastrointestinal issues that may become aggravated by certain oils.
3. We Like Vitamins Astaxanthin
Countless reviewers noted that this product helped relieve their arthritis, improved their skin, and helped boost their energy, making this one of the key supplements for anti-aging. The only downside to this product is that it is not vegan-friendly, however with all the other benefits from this product, it is still an incredible option to help increase your energy and revitalize your life.
4. Sports Research Astaxanthin with Organic Coconut Oil
Customers who used this product raved about how much healthier their skin felt, and were impressed with their increased endurance and lowered joint discomfort. The softgel design allows this supplement to be swallowed easily, and the increased dosage reduces the number of pills you need to take each day, making it ideal for those who either dislike taking pills or already have a fair number of supplements in their diet and do not want to struggle with dozens of pills each morning. It should be noted that those with tree nut allergies should be cautious when taking coconut oil, but other than that, this is a great option for anyone looking to add astaxanthin to their daily routine.
5. Algalife Pure Astaxanthin
For those worried about the impact they have on the environment, Algalife uses a volcanic rock filtration method using natural, renewable energy, for an end product that you can feel confident taking. And with a commitment to gluten-free, non-GMO ingredients, you can take Algalife Pure Astaxanthin with confidence. The real pièce de résistance of this product is that it is entirely vegan and vegetarian-friendly, making it ideal for those who do not eat animal products for dietary or philosophical reasons.
As a note, one reviewer mentioned that if you have trouble swallowing capsules or pierce the softgels, the oil inside does have a very distinctive and unpleasant taste, but this is not an issue so long as you treat the softgels as any other pill.
6. Simply Potent Astaxanthin
At only 10 calories per dose and only 1g of fat, this is an ideal supplement for anyone watching their weight or on a low-fat diet. It is important to note that while some reviewers claimed that astaxanthin acted as a natural sunscreen, it does not provide protection from UV rays or general sunlight and should not be taken as a replacement for sunscreen. Still, if you are looking to boost your immune system, improve your heart health, and soothe joint pain, this is a great option for you. It is also worth noting that countless reviewers found no difference between Simply Potent and other leading brands of astaxanthin, meaning it is a safe switch should you be looking for a higher pill count option on the market.
7. aSquared Nutrition Astaxanthin Supplement
Reviewers noted that the 120-pill bottle was incredibly convenient and allowed them to go longer without having to reorder the supplement. They also noted that the gel capsules were much easier to swallow than normal pills, and as with any astaxanthin supplement, they saw marked improvements in their vision and joint pain concerns. As an added bonus, this supplement is made in the USA, meaning you can trust you are getting the best quality checks available before the product gets to the market.
While not as high on our list due to a lack of vegan and vegetarian support, as well as soy allergen concerns, aSquared Nutrition Astaxanthin Supplement is a great option for those looking to improve their daily health.
Astaxanthin Supplement Purchase Guide
Ready to jump on the astaxanthin bandwagon? There are a few things to keep in mind when purchasing this product. As with any supplement, check with your doctor before taking this, and do not take if you have any immunosuppressants or hormonal issues that may conflict with the supplement itself.
Softgel vs. Traditional Pills
Softgels are much easier to swallow than traditional pills, and thanks to the presence of fatty oils, much easier for your body to dissolve. Plus, astaxanthin works best when dissolved in an oil, making it an effective way to receive the intended dosage of this product. Still, if you are on a diet that is looking to reduce your fat and oil intakes, or have a sensitivity to soybean or other oils, you may be better served to invest in a traditional pill form of astaxanthin. Just keep in mind these pills are best taken along with food, as they can cause an upset stomach in some consumers.
High Dose vs. Low Dose
While you may be tempted to jump immediately to taking the highest dosage available, reconsider. You want to make sure your body has time to adjust to the astaxanthin, and a lower dose allows you to ensure you don’t have any adverse reactions to the supplement. Talk to your healthcare provider about the best dose for you and be sure to pay attention to your body. While any side effects or nausea may go away once your body adjusts, it’s always important to pay attention to changes in your body, or interactions with any medications.
That being said, higher dosage pills allow the astaxanthin to release into your system simultaneously, and are ideal for anyone who has issues swallowing multiple pills, or who wants to reduce the sheer number of supplements they take daily.
Questions About Astaxanthin Supplements
What is Astaxanthin?
Astaxanthin is a carotenoid pigment. It is responsible for giving some fish their pinkish color and is also produced by some species of algae as a stress response, or in response to prolonged sunlight exposure. While astaxanthin can be absorbed naturally from fish like salmon and trout, in many cases a higher dosage can have many benefits for the human body.
What does Astaxanthin Do?
Astaxanthin has been shown to improve your immune system, may impact heart health, and may reduce inflammation in your joints. It is also touted as a way to improve both vision and endurance, although this does require more research. Overall, it contains 6,000 times the amount of antioxidants in Vitamin C supplements and is helpful for skin problems, including wrinkles and low elasticity.
While some companies claim that astaxanthin can be used as a natural sunscreen or as a cancer treatment, neither of these has been proven nor are they recommended. It’s always best to talk with your doctor about the treatment plan they recommend for more serious conditions, and it is important to use sunscreen regardless of any supplements you are taking, as UV exposure puts you at risk for skin cancer.
Is Astaxanthin Dangerous?
The biggest concern with astaxanthin is medical interactions, and a chance of hormonal imbalance, especially in men. In most cases, astaxanthin may cause nausea, loose stools, and red stools, but will not cause any serious issues in the body. For anyone taking an immunosuppressant or on hormone medication, it is best to avoid astaxanthin, as it can unbalance these medications. As with any supplement, talk to your doctor before taking, as they can perform a drug interaction check to ensure you will have no bad side effects while taking these supplements.
Astaxanthin for Hair Loss
Here is a great video about astaxanthin’s impact on the body, and specifically it’s impact on hair growth.