A Safety Study on the Long-Term Consumption of Astaxanthin in Healthy Human Volunteers

Abstract

A long-term safety study was conducted with astaxanthin derived from Haematococcus pluvialis algae extract. Fifteen healthy volunteers took 9 mg of astaxanthin daily for 12 weeks. Physiological (including doctor's consultation), haematological, biochemical, and urinary markers were examined at weeks 0, 4, 8 and 12. No adverse effects or clinical changes were observed throughout the test period. It was concluded that a healthy adult can consume 9 mg of astaxanthin derived from Haematococcus pluvialis algae extract for 12 weeks without any safety concern.

Astaxanthin: How much is too much? A safety review

“…We have identified and evaluated 87 clinical trials ( As shown in Table 3, eight human studies were conducted to look specifically at safety of high doses of natural AX, ranging from 8 to 45 mg/day and over 4 to 12 weeks (Aquasearch, 1999;Kajita et al, 2010;Kajita, Tsukahara, Kato, & Yoshimoto, 2009;Matsuyama et al, 2010;Ohgami et al, 2005;Satoh et al, 2009;Spiller & Dewell, 2003;Tsukahara et al, 2005). Twenty-eight studies were found, which used daily doses of at least 12-mg natural AX over a period of at least 4 weeks.…”