Astaxanthin
A red-orange pigment made by algae. It gives salmon and shrimp their color and is a strong antioxidant, studied mainly for skin, eyes, and exercise recovery.
Medical Disclaimer
Supplements can interact with medications and aren't right for everyone, especially during pregnancy or breastfeeding, or with a chronic condition. Ask your provider before you start.
Studied for
- Skin moisture and elasticity (some studies)
- Tired eyes from screen use (small studies)
- Exercise recovery (early research)
- Antioxidant support
Found naturally in
- Wild salmon
- Trout
- Shrimp, crab, and lobster
- Salmon roe
Label red flags
- The source isn't listed
- Dry tablets with no oil
Check with a provider
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding (not well studied)
- Taking blood thinners or blood pressure medicines (not well studied together)
- Allergy to algae, or to shellfish if it comes from krill
- Reddish stools can happen at higher amounts
Usually found in skin and beauty formulas, eye health formulas, krill oil. Browse the Lesher Wellness store
Parts of the body it affects
Explore what each area does and the conditions that can affect it.
Skin
Your skin is your largest organ and a major immune barrier. Rashes, patches, and color changes are often the first visible signs of an autoimmune condition.
Eyes & mouth
Tear and salivary glands keep your eyes and mouth moist and protected. Lasting dryness can be an early clue to an autoimmune condition.
Muscles
Your muscles move and steady your body. Autoimmune muscle disease shows up as true weakness, not just soreness.
Illustrations: Servier Medical Art, CC BY 4.0
Ready to find the root cause?
Dr. Lesher is a Naturopathic Doctor who focuses on autoimmune and chronic conditions in women. Since 2020, she's helped hundreds of patients stop managing symptoms and start healing.