Reviews and Information for Astaxanthin
Astaxanthin Supplements
Find the best high and low-dose astaxanthin supplements based on ConsumerLab's independent tests and reviews. Also learn about natural vs. synthetic astaxanthin, dosage, possible side-effects, and what astaxanthin has and hasn't been shown to do in clinical studies.
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Product Review
Fish Oil, Krill Oil, and Algal Oil Omega-3 (DHA & EPA) Supplements Review
See Our Omega-3 Top Picks and Avoid Rancid Fish Oils.

CL Answer
What is the difference between natural and synthetic astaxanthin?
Learn more about astaxanthin and the different forms of it (BioAstin, AstaPure, AstaSana, etc.) and their effects in the body.

CL Answer
Can taking astaxanthin increase the risk of breast enlargement in men?
Find out if taking astaxanthin can increase the risk of breast enlargement (gynecomastia) in men.

News Release
February 25, 2022
Top-rated Vitamin and Supplement Brands and Merchants for 2022 Based on Consumer Satisfaction
White Plains, New York, February 25, 2022 — Each year, ConsumerLab.com surveys its free e-newsletter subscribers about the vitamins and supplements that they use. The results below are based on 8,049 responses collected in November/December 2021.
News Release
July 23, 2021
Best Astaxanthin Supplements Identified In Testing by ConsumerLab
White Plains, New York, July 23, 2021 —Astaxanthin supplements are promoted for a wide range of uses, such as increasing physical endurance, reducing inflammation and wrinkles, protecting from sunburn, and lowering triglyceride levels.
CL Answer
Do any supplements or foods help prevent sunburn or skin damage from sun exposure? Can any increase your risk of sun-related skin damage?
Find out which supplements may help protect from sunburn and sun-related skin damage, including beta-carotene, vitamins A and C, and cocoa.

Product Review
Vision Supplements Review (with Lutein, Zeaxanthin & AREDS2 Formulas)
Find the Best Vision Supplement Based Our Tests

CL Answer
What is the difference between fish oil and krill oil? Is one better than the other?
Learn which is better for you and compare krill oil vs. fish oil, including evidence from clinical studies, EPA and DHA content, price, and side effects.

Clinical Update
8/22/2023
Problems with Astaxanthin
Most astaxanthin supplements purchased on Amazon.com and Walmart.com were found to provide only a fraction of the listed amounts of astaxanthin in recent tests by a competing supplement company. We’ve listed which products passed or failed this testing in our Astaxanthin Supplements Review, which includes our two Top Picks for astaxanthin.
Product Review
Multivitamin and Multimineral Supplements Review
Best Multivitamins -- Caution with Gummies

Clinical Update
7/01/2018
Astaxanthin for Sun Protection?
Can taking an astaxanthin supplement improve the appearance of the skin or protect it from UV damage? See what a new study found in the What It Does section of the Astaxanthin Supplements Review. (Also see our Top Picks among astaxanthin supplements.)
CL Answer
Are antioxidant supplements good or bad for you?
Learn more about whether antioxidants like astaxanthin, beta-carotene, coenzyme Q10, curcumin, resveratrol, selenium, vitamin A, vitamin C and vitamin E are safe and if they help prevent chronic diseases.

Clinical Update
4/08/2022
Astaxanthin & Seafood Allergy
A member asked if people with seafood allergies can take astaxanthin supplements. Find out in the Concerns and Cautions section of our Astaxanthin Supplements Review.
Clinical Update
12/02/2022
Astaxanthin for Better Vision?
Did astaxanthin improve the visual acuity of people who spend a lot of time in front of a computer screen? See the results of a recent study in the What It Does section of the Astaxanthin Supplements Review.
CL Answer
Do any supplements reduce wrinkles, increase skin elasticity, or tighten the skin?
Learn about collagen, biotin, CoQ10, cocoa, soy isoflavones, phytoceramides, and other supplements for reducing wrinkles and improving aging skin.

Product Review
Joint Health Supplements Review (Glucosamine, Chondroitin, MSM, Boswellia, Collagen and Turmeric)
18% of Joint Health Supplements Failed to Pass Our Tests. See Which Passed or Failed, and Our Top Picks.

CL Answer
Do vitamins, minerals or other supplements lose effectiveness with exposure to high temperatures?
Are vitamins and supplements susceptible to heat? Find out if mail ordering during the summer is safe.

Clinical Update
6/10/2022
Supplements for Farsightedness?
Can a supplement improve vision in older people who develop trouble seeing up-close (i.e., presbyopia or age-related farsightedness)? See the study results for a supplement that included lutein, astaxanthin, bilberry and DHA in our Vision Supplements Review.
Clinical Update
10/06/2023
Krill Oil for Osteoarthritis?
Can knee pain from osteoarthritis be reduced by a combination of krill oil, astaxanthin and hyaluronic acid? Find out what a recent study showed in the Osteoarthritis section of our Omega-3 Supplements Review, which includes our Top Picks for krill and fish oil supplements.
Also see: Which supplements help with arthritis?
Clinical Update
1/15/2019
Don't Take Minerals With Certain Supplements
Taking minerals like calcium and magnesium can dramatically reduce the absorption of carotenoids like lycopene, beta carotene, and astaxanthin. Get the details in the Concerns and Cautions section of the Lycopene Supplements Review.
CL Answer
Are gummy vitamins better or worse than pills?
Learn more about gummy supplements, including those for multivitamins, vitamins C and D, calcium, and B vitamins.

News Release
February 25, 2021
Top-rated Vitamin and Supplement Brands and Merchants for 2021 Based on Consumer Satisfaction -- Results of the ConsumerLab.com Survey of Vitamin & Supplement Users
White Plains, New York, February 25, 2021 — Each year, ConsumerLab.com surveys its free e-newsletter subscribers about the vitamins and supplements that they use. The results below are based on 9,647 responses collected in November 2020.
CL Answer
Which vitamins and minerals should be taken together or separately?
Find out the best way to take vitamins and minerals and which vitamins and minerals should be taken together or separately for proper absorption. ConsumerLab answer explains the best way to take vitamins and minerals.

CL Answer
Which supplements can help lower my triglycerides?
Find out whether fish oil supplements, or plant-based oil supplements, such as flaxseed oil and echium oil are best for lowering triglyceride levels. ConsumerLab.com's answer explains.

CL Answer
Do any supplements help with gum disease or periodontitis?
Supplements for healthy gums may help with gum disease or periodontitis. Learn more about omega fatty acids, lycopene, and probiotics.

Recalls & Warnings
June 30, 2022
FDA Warns Seller of Vision and Allergy Supplements
On May 26, 2022, the FDA issued a warning letter to Golden Lab LLC following an inspection of the website, which found statements about the company’s DoctoRx’s Optimal Formula Ocular Pressure & Optic Nerve Support Formula Ocular Health Capsule, DoctoRx’s Optimal Formula ...
Product Review
Lycopene Supplements Review
Find the Best Lycopene Supplements. CL Tests Reveal That Not All Lycopene Supplements Contain What They Claim.

CL Answer
Is it better to get vitamins from foods or supplements, and are natural vitamins better than synthetic vitamins?
Learn more about the benefits of getting vitamins from food versus supplements, natural versus synthetic vitamins, and more.

CL Answer
Do any supplements help with fatty liver disease? Are some diets more beneficial than others?
Find out if supplements such as vitamin E, fish oil, milk thistle, curcumin, choline, probiotics, vitamin D, reishi mushroom, or extra virgin olive oil are beneficial for fatty liver disease and learn which diet (Mediterranean, ketogenic, DASH, or fasting diets) seems to have greatest benefit.

CL Answer
Do any supplements help prevent or improve cataracts?
Find out which supplements may help with cataracts, including selenium and vitamins A, B1, B3, C, and E.

CL Answer
Risks of Too Many Vitamins & Supplements
Taking too many vitamin supplements -- or taking too much of a particular supplement -- can have short and long-term adverse effects.

CL Answer
8 Red Flags to Watch Out For When Buying Vitamins & Supplements
When it comes to buying vitamins and supplements, it's buyer beware. ConsumerLab explains eight red flags to look out for on labels when choosing and buying vitamins or supplements, including claims of "FDA Approved" laboratories, what to look for in the ingredient list, and more.

CL Answer
Is it better to eat farmed salmon or wild salmon? Which one has more omega-3s and less contamination with PCBs, mercury, etc.?
Learn more about wild caught vs. farm raised salmon, including omega-3 content and contamination with PCBs, mercury, and other toxins.

CL Answer
Do any supplements help prevent or reduce eye floaters?
Find out eye floaters (vitreous floaters) be treated with supplements like vitamin C, lutein, ginkgo, milk thistle, collagen or hyaluronic acid, or with products such as VitreousHealth.

News Release
November 03, 2016
Is Astaxanthin Helpful for Inflammation or Other Conditions -- and Which Brands Are Best? -- ConsumerLab.com Reviews the Evidence and Tests the Quality of Popular Astaxanthin Supplements
White Plains, New York, November 3, 2016 — Astaxanthin is the red carotenoid and antioxidant which, through the food chain, provides the pink coloration of shrimp, krill salmon and trout.
CL Answer
10 Supplements That May Boost Testosterone (And 13 That May Not)
Many supplements promise to increase testestorone, boost libido, and increase muscle size, but, as ConsumerLab explains, the actual effectiveness of supplements is limited, and some supplements may actually reduce testosterone levels.

Recalls & Warnings
May 12, 2018
Seller of Astaxanthin, Cinnamon, Pine Bark and More Warned for Manufacturing Violations
On March 22, 2018, the FDA issued a warning letter to Get The Tea following a facility inspection which found the company's products, including Get the Tea Astaxanthin Max, Get the Tea Colostrum Complete, and Get the Tea Pine Bark Capsules, to be adulterated because they were ...
Recalls & Warnings
May 23, 2013
Seller of Sexual Enhancement, Cholesterol, Resveratrol Supplements and More Warned For Drug Claims
On May 2, 2013, the FDA issued a warning letter to Alternative Health Supplements, following a review of the company's website, which found statements made about several dietary supplements, including Regenerect, Alligin, Astaxanthin Advantage, HDL Cholesterol Management, Resveratrol, Coral Calcium ...
Recalls & Warnings
October 08, 2019
Seller of Tea, Colloidal Silver, Homeopathic Products Warned for Manufacturing Violations
On September 12, 2019, the FDA issued a warning letter to Herbal Healer Academy, Inc.
Recalls & Warnings
July 23, 2019
FDA Warns Seller of CBD Lotions, Patches, Tinctures and Pet Products
On July 22, 2019, the FDA issued a warning letter to Curaleaf, Inc.
Recalls & Warnings
July 16, 2019
FDA Warns Seller of Magnesium and CBD
On July 9, 2019, the FDA issued a warning letter to Ceba-Tek, Inc.
Recalls & Warnings
August 20, 2019
Seller of Liposomal Curcumin, Vitamin C & Melatonin Warned for Manufacturing Violations
On August 6, 2019, the FDA issued a warning letter to Let's Talk Health, Inc.
Recalls & Warnings
December 12, 2018
Seller of Protein Powder, Spirulina & Other Products Warned for Manufacturing Violations
On October 31, 2018, the FDA issued a warning letter to DynaPro International, Inc.
Recalls & Warnings
December 05, 2018
Seller of Cold and Flu Supplements, "SuperFood" & More Warned by FDA
On October 30, 2018, the FDA issued a warning letter to American Botanical Pharmacy following a review of the company's website (www.herbdoc.com) and Facebook page, which found statements made about some of its products to be drug claims.
Recalls & Warnings
December 01, 2018
Seller of 5-HTP, Potassium & More Warned for Manufacturing Violations
On September 7, 2018, the FDA issued a warning letter to The Delano Company, Inc.
Recalls & Warnings
January 24, 2013
Food for Health Warned for Manufacturing Violations and Drug Claims on Supplements
On October 5, 2012, the FDA issued a warning letter to Food for Health International, LLC following a facility inspection which found the company's products, including Activz brand Vitamin D, Potassium Iodine, Organic Vitamin C, Whole 9 (a fruit and vegetable meal replacement shake) Control and VMA ...
Recalls & Warnings
March 30, 2019
FDA Warns Seller of Reishi, Joint Supplements, Ginseng & More for Pesticides, Other Violations
On March 12, 2019, the FDA issued a warning letter to Yanqing "Michael" Li and Chang Su, owners of the website http://www.woohoonatural.
News Release
September 13, 2016
Best Fish Oil? ConsumerLab.com Tests 44 Popular Omega-3 Supplements and Identifies Its Top Picks
White Plains, New York, September 13, 2016 — Fish oil and omega-3 fatty acid supplements containing EPA and DHA are among the most popular supplements, and clinical studies suggest a wide range of potential benefits, from improving mental health to treating inflammatory disease.
News Release
December 16, 2009
"Eye health" supplements vary widely in formula but product quality is high according to ConsumerLab.com
"Eye Health" Supplements Vary Widely in Formula But Product Quality is High According to ConsumerLab.com