Natural Sources and Bioavailability of Astaxanthin

Estimated Reading Time: 6 minutes

Published on: 30 Nov 2025

Astaxanthin! You may not have heard the name before, but you have probably seen it around you.

Still in denial? Okay, think of the pink flesh of salmon or the bright hue of flamingos!

It looks fascinating, right? Well, that's the potential of the powerful antioxidant astaxanthin. What gives natural elements an eye-catching appeal can be a boon for you as well.

How? Astaxanthin is one of the few antioxidants that can cross both the blood-brain and blood-retinal barriers, combating oxidative stress at the cellular level. It protects eyes, skin, and brain from free radical damage, contributing to overall wellness. But before it can offer any benefit, one thing matters most: bioavailability.

And that's what this blog talks about: Astaxanthin, its sources, and a comparison of their bioavailability.

Astaxanthin, a.k.a. The King of Carotenoids

To start the blog, let's first talk about the protagonist itself! Astaxanthin is a bright red pigment that belongs to the carotenoid class. You guessed it right! Carotenoids are the same natural color makers that give annatto, paprika, carrot, and saffron their characteristic red-orange color.

However, unlike other carotenoids, astaxanthin is a keto carotenoid that contains both keto and hydroxyl groups. This unique chemical structure significantly increases the oxygen radical absorbance capacity of astaxanthin. Or, in simple terms, it can neutralize free radicals and oxygen singlets far better than other antioxidants.

Here's a quick summary of the health benefits of astaxanthin:

A potent antioxidant that may support overall eye health by helping to mitigate the effects of oxidative stress and environmental factors like blue light

May support healthy skin by promoting hydration and elasticity, contributing to a more youthful appearance.

May contribute to overall brain health by supporting cellular function with its antioxidative properties.

May support bone health by promoting healthy bone density and mineralization as part of a balanced diet and exercise routine.

Interested in More? Read Out the Lesser-Known Health Benefits of Astaxanthin.

Spilling the Tea

Astaxanthin is 6,000 times more potent than Vitamin C as an antioxidant. A few studies suggest that it can be more effective than Vitamin E as well. And sometimes, it is even called 'Super Vitamin E.'

Top Natural Sources of Astaxanthin

Wondering what the ultimate natural source of astaxanthin is? It's the SEA. The majority of natural astaxanthin sources are found in marine environments, including wild salmon, krill, and shrimp. However, it misses the richest source of astaxanthin. Guess what it is?

Richest Natural Source

Haematococcus pluvialis, a freshwater alga, is the most potent natural source of astaxanthin. It thrives in clean water environments with abundant sunlight, like ponds. This green microalga has the highest astaxanthin content, ranging from 4 to 5% of its dried weight.

Other Natural Sources

Beyond Haematococcus pluvialis, certain aquatic organisms and algae also contain astaxanthin. Here is a table along with the detailed composition:

Source	Astaxanthin Content
Wild Salmon	26–38 mg/kg
Krill Oil	80.55 mg/kg
Red Yeast (Phaffia rhodozyma)	100 to 300 parts per million (ppm) (dry mass)

Want to read, in detail, the Top Food Sources of Astaxanthin? Refer to the linked blog.

But Wait, Nature is Not the Only Astaxanthin Source

There is no doubt that science has made almost everything possible, including the synthetic production of astaxanthin. Yes, you got it right! It can be made in laboratories and commercial setups. In fact, for aquaculture and other applications, synthetic astaxanthin is preferred over natural ones.

The multi-step chemical synthesis process involves petrochemical precursors. Although it is cost-effective and readily available, synthetic astaxanthin has poor bioavailability and lacks therapeutic potential.

Bioavailability of Astaxanthin: Why It Matters to You?

If you recall the first section of the blog, you will remember its health benefits, ranging from skin health to cognitive function. It might have impressed you enough to add astaxanthin to your daily diet. That's obvious. Who wouldn't love to have strong vision and glowing skin?

But wait! When it comes to therapeutic potential, it all starts with ideal dosage and bioavailability of astaxanthin. In simple terms, bioavailability is the amount of a substance your body can actually absorb and use. Both the source and the dosage greatly affect how much is absorbed.

Still confused? Let's break it down with real-life examples.

Think of fresh home-extracted juice and powdered juice available in the market. Both contain vitamins, but your body absorbs the nutrients in fresh juice more effectively. Similarly, intravenous injections are more effective than oral tablets.

Right, that's the role of source and dosage.

How to Ensure Maximum Bioavailability (also Results) of Astaxanthin

Now, you know that for maximum results, astaxanthin must be available for your body in optimal amounts. For significant eye improvement and skin health, it is recommended to take about 4-12 mg of astaxanthin per day. Here are the rules to ensure it:

It's Not Endogenous. You Need to Source It

Unlike antioxidants like CoQ10 and glutathione, astaxanthin isn't endogenous. In simple words, the human body doesn't produce its own astaxanthin. Therefore, to meet the optimal requirements, you need to add it to your routine from a reliable source.

Dietary Sources Alone Aren't Enough

Although astaxanthin is available in various dietary sources, such as salmon, shrimp, and crab, it's not sufficient on its own. This is because different food grades have variations in their content and quality. For example, farm-cultivated salmon usually have synthetic astaxanthin.

Even Astaxanthin-Rich Food Isn't Bioavailable

Even if you are eating astaxanthin-rich food, there's a low chance that it will be fully absorbed. Not unless you pair it with healthy fats, such as avocado, nuts, or yogurt. And, even then, the total uptake is modest.

Concentrated Supplements: The Ultimate Key

Hence, the ultimate way to ensure maximum bioavailability of astaxanthin is concentrated supplements.

Specifically, if you are seeking therapeutic benefits, look for supplements that provide 12 mg of astaxanthin.

Go for hermetically sealed softgels for maximum absorption, ideal dosage, and minimum degradation.

Take 1-2 soft gels of astaxanthin daily or as recommended by a healthcare expert for overall wellness.

Since astaxanthin is fat-soluble, it is best to pair the capsules with full-fat meals and healthy fats.

That's the right way to make the most potent antioxidant effective inside your body!

Final Call

The modern-day lifestyle, full of eye-straining screens, skin-damaging pollutants, and mind-exhausting task,s deserves more. Obviously, an all-in-one antioxidant that can support your overall vitality.

And that's what astaxanthin supplements do for you, dear reader! Thanks to nature and science for bringing astaxanthin from deep red algae into your daily capsule. Just for you and your health!

Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. Products mentioned are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. What are the natural sources of astaxanthin?

Naturally, astaxanthin is found in algae, yeast, and certain seafoods.

Q2. What is the most bioavailable form of astaxanthin?

The proprietary Asta-REAL and astaxanthin-SR are the most bioavailable forms of astaxanthin available for therapeutic effects.

Q3. How to increase the bioavailability of astaxanthin?

By taking hermetically sealed astaxanthin softgels with healthy meals (and fats), you can increase the bioavailability of the supplements.

Q4. What is the difference between natural and synthetic astaxanthin?

Natural astaxanthin has more nutritional value compared to synthetic sources. Further, natural astaxanthin is also a source of proteins, vitamins, and other minerals.

Q5. What is the best supplement with astaxanthin?

Asta-GG, by Wellness Extract is one of the best astaxanthin supplements that also blends geranylgeraniol. It is GRAS-approved and third-party tested for efficacy.

References:

Ambati, R. R., et al. (2014). Astaxanthin: sources, extraction, stability, biological activities and health benefits. May 2014. Available: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3917265/

Wang, W., et al. (2025). Progress in the bioavailability of natural astaxanthin: Influencing factors, enhancement strategies, evaluation methods, and limitations of current research. July 2025. Available: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0924224425001347

Madhavi, D., et al. (2018). A study on the bioavailability of a proprietary, sustained-release formulation of astaxanthin. June 2018. Available: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6396763/

Aneesh, P. A., et al. (2022). Bioactivities of astaxanthin from natural sources, augmenting its biomedical potential: A review. May 2022. Available: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/360545303