Astaxanthin
Eye · Carotenoid antioxidant
Tier B
What this is
Much of the positive trial literature comes from Japan. Eye fatigue / accommodative spasm indication is the most-replicated. Popular in aging-eye supplements and general 'super-antioxidant' positioning. Natural (H. pluvialis) preferred over synthetic for supplement use.
Mechanism
Red carotenoid from Haematococcus pluvialis microalgae; crosses BBB and blood-retina barrier; unusually potent antioxidant (Miki 1991 reports ~6000x vitamin C in some assays — context-dependent); anti-inflammatory
Dose & route
4-12 mg/day PO with fat
Citations
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17867638/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21595888/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6337236/
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This is an independent synthesis of published research by a non-clinician. Scores are opinions supported by citations, not prescriptions. See the full disclaimer and methodology for how this score was produced and what it does and doesn't mean.