Photo © Steven Foster
Introduction
Astaxanthin is a pigment found in aquatic animals that feed on algae.1 It is a carotenoid (similar to beta-carotene, lycopene and lutein), an antioxidant with many health benefits. Astaxanthin is red-orange in color and is mostly harvested from algae.1 History and Cultural Significance
Since the late 1990s, astaxanthin has been marketed as a health supplement in Japan and Europe.1 It is part of the growing trend to find nutritional supplements in unexplored areas. Astaxanthin is relatively new to the fields of modern science and nutrition. It is marketed as an antioxidant nutritional supplement when taken internally.1 Modern Research
One study has been conducted on the use of astaxanthin in the treatment of infertility in men.2 Future Outlook
Much of the information known about astaxanthin is due to research done in the late 1990s. Commercial cultivation of astaxanthin from Haematococcus pluvialis is expanding, which may lead to the need for more resources for algae production in the future.
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