Astaxanthin benefits are impressive. This is a natural anti inflammatory and antioxidant supplement that comes from seafood such as shrimp, crab, lobster, or salmon. It is a type of carotenoid or red-colored pigment.

As an anti inflammatory supplement, astaxanthin can change multiple biochemical functions for the better in a whole cascade of pathways involved in causing inflammation. The pathways include COX2, which the more toxic nonsteroidal anti inflammatory drugs also affect. Over time, this remarkable carotenoid substance can even lower CRP (C reactive protein) levels in your system, the marker that doctors use to test for generalized inflammation in your system.

Of course if you are allergic or intolerant to the source of the astaxanthin (or any other natural anti inflammatory supplement), you will need to find alternatives for regulating your inflammatory response in a healthier direction. The good news is that you have many such options, as we discuss here on this website and in our educational materials. Other than allergy, to date, this supplement appears to have a good safety track record. But always do your own due diligence in checking out how it would interact with your own medications, other supplements, and health issues.

Your best food source would be wild salmon, especially sockeye type. As always, it is best to get wild salmon rather than farmed or Atlantic salmon to avoid eating a food that was not itself fed optimally and was exposed to toxic pollutants and additives. The farmed version of salmon usually has to have carotenoid added for color because of the lack of natural foods and exercise to help the fish develop into a truly healthy specimen.

In healthy dogs, one study showed that astaxanthin can improve mitochondrial function (J Anim Sci 2013 91:268-75) in white cells in the blood. Other research shows that it can avoid becoming a pro-oxidant while it works its effects – something that better-known anti oxidants such as vitamin C cannot claim. Some people report some additional benefits toward anti aging effects and supporting cardiovascular health.

In short, astaxanthin is worth a close look as part of your anti inflammatory tool kit for health benefits with lower side effect risks.