astaxanthin
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Introduction
Carotenoid made by plankton & algae. It is the pink pigment of salmon, lobster, crab, shrimp & flamingos.
Indications
(putative* uses)
- sunscreen
- cancer
- hypercholesterolemia
- macular degeneration
- Alzheimer's disease
- aging
- reduces acute & chronic digital eye strain in children ages 10-14 years[4]
- enhances measures of visual performance[3]
- may reduce acute & chronic digital eye strain in older adults > 59 years [5-7]
* purely speculative; no evidence of any benefits
Mechanism of action
- antioxidant (may be more potent than vitamin E or other carotenoids)
Comparative biology
- astaxanthin fed to aged mice for 1 month improves performance on several hippocampal-dependent cognitive tasks & increases long-term potentiation
- no alteration in neurogenesis
- no change in microglial-associated IBA1 immunostaining
More general terms
References
- ↑ Prescriber's Letter 9(7):41 2002
- ↑ Grimmig B, Kim SH, Nash K, Bickford PC, Shytle RD Neuroprotective mechanisms of astaxanthin: a potential therapeutic role in preserving cognitive function in age and neurodegeneration. GeroScience. February 2017, Volume 39, Issue 1, pp 19-32 http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11357-017-9958-x
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Grimmig B, Hudson C, Moss L et al Astaxanthin supplementation modulates cognitive function and synaptic plasticity in young and aged mice. GeroScience (2019) 41: 77 https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11357-019-00051-9
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Hecht KA, Marwah M, Wood V et al Astaxanthin (AstaReal) Improved Acute and Chronic Digital Eye Strain in Children: A Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Trial. Adv Ther. 2025 Apr;42(4):1811-1833. PMID: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40014233 Clinical Trial. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12325-025-03125-7
- ↑ Sekikawa T, Kizawa Y, Li Y, Miura N. Effects of Diet Containing Astaxanthin on Visual Function in Healthy Individuals: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Parallel Study. J Clin Biochem Nutr. 2023 Jan;72(1):74-81 PMID: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36777084 PMCID: PMC9899915
- ↑ Yoshida K, Sakai O, Honda T, et al. Effects of Astaxanthin, Lutein, and Zeaxanthin on Eye-Hand Coordination and Smooth-Pursuit Eye Movement After Visual Display Terminal Operation in Healthy Subjects: A Randomized, Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Intergroup Trial. Nutrients. 2023;15(6):1459. PMID: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36986186 PMCID: PMC10054128
- ↑ Kizawa Y, Sekikawa T, Kageyama M, et al. Effects of Anthocyanin, Astaxanthin, and Lutein on Eye Functions: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study. Clin Biochem Nutr. 2021 Jul;69(1):77-90. PMID: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34376917 PMCID: PMC8325772