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1 month on astaxanthin

What happens when you take astaxanthin for 1 month straight

Dr. Helen MarshDr. Helen Marsh (dramatized)·
AdvertisementThis page is published by Gold Seal Supplements, the maker of Gold Seal Astaxanthin, so it's an advertisement. The studies cited tested the ingredients, not our product, and are listed at the bottom. Diagrams and cell images are illustrations. Customer quotes are real and unedited apart from marked excerpts. Reviewer photos are illustrative models, not the actual customers. The host, Dr. Helen Marsh, is a dramatized character. Individual results vary.
The studies' clock month 1 later
  1. Day 1Peaks in your blood by hour 733
  2. Day 14LDL slower to oxidize (lab test)17
  3. Week 3Oxidation marker down3
  4. Week 8Eye-hand coordination after screen work12
  5. Week 16Skin held steady vs placebo2

Month one is when it builds up in your blood and the oxidation markers start to fall.33,17,3 The skin and eye changes in the trials were measured later, at 8 to 16 weeks.2,12

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What the studies found

  • Skin: over 16 weeks, women on a placebo got deeper wrinkles and drier skin. Women on astaxanthin held steady.2
  • Eyes: astaxanthin with lutein and zeaxanthin improved eye-hand coordination after screen work in 8 weeks.12
  • Heart: in a 12-week placebo trial it raised “good” HDL and lowered triglycerides.1
The 7 reasons, in 2 minutes

Tap any reason to jump to it

  1. 1Month one, then what takes longer
  2. 2Spans the whole membrane
  3. 3Needs fat, so MCT oil
  4. 4Four more compounds
  5. 524 mg, past where most stop
  6. 6The source the studies used
  7. 730 days to decide
1
The damage

Your first month, by the studies' own clock

slot r1 · all · chart
The clock, from the studies month 1 later
  1. Day 1Peaks in your blood near hour 733
  2. Week 1Daily doses settle at a steady level32,33
  3. Day 14LDL slower to oxidize, in lab-tested blood17
  4. Week 3Oxidation marker down3
  5. Week 8Eye-hand coordination after screen work12
  6. Week 12HDL up, triglycerides down1
  7. Week 16Skin held steady while placebo skin got drier2
What adds oxidative stress to your whole body
Sun and screensSmoke and trafficGetting older

Day 1. Astaxanthin dissolves in fat, so it leaves your gut packed into the fat particles from your meal. In a study that tracked one dose for 72 hours, blood levels peaked near hour 7.33 Its half-life is roughly 16 to 21 hours, so a daily dose stacks up to a steady level within about a week.32,33

Weeks 2 to 4. In 14 days, LDL from people taking it took up to 42% longer to oxidize, in blood tested in the lab.17 In 3 weeks, an oxidation marker fell, and it fell further at higher doses.3 Across 12 randomized trials it lowered MDA, a blood marker of oxidative damage to fats.19

Weeks 8 to 16. This is where the visible results in the trials were measured: eye-hand coordination after screen work at 8 weeks,12 HDL and triglycerides at 12 weeks,1 and skin that held steady while placebo skin got drier at 16 weeks.2 Month one builds the base. The next six reasons are what keep it running.

See the full formula
2
The molecule

Astaxanthin spans the whole cell membrane

Inside one cell membrane Tap to compare
Watery outside of the cell Watery inside of the cell Fat layer C E

Illustration based on lab membrane studies (refs 29, 30). Orange dots are free radicals.

Every cell in your body is wrapped in a thin double layer of fat. Damage hits it from the watery side and from inside the fat. Vitamin C works in the water. Vitamin E works in the fat. Your skin, eyes, heart and joints are all built from cells wrapped in these membranes.

Astaxanthin is a long chain with a ring at each end, so it lies across the whole membrane. In lab studies it trapped radicals at the surface and deep inside the layer,29 and cut fat oxidation by 40% while the membrane stayed intact.30

See the formula built around it
3
The carrier

It needs fat to get in, so ours comes in MCT oil

slot r3 · all · shared/s3-softgel-mathServing math (your whole body)
Astaxanthin in the blood, same dose 1 study
Taken before a meal2,968
Taken after a meal7,219
2.4xhigher blood levels when it went in with food31

Area under the curve over 7 days, µg·h/L. Small study of 13 non-smokers (ref 31).

All five compounds in this formula dissolve in fat, not water. On their own they absorb poorly. Taken after a meal, the same dose of astaxanthin reached about 2.4 times the blood levels.31 Fat-based formulas raised absorption 1.7 to 3.7 times.32

So ours comes dissolved in MCT oil inside every softgel. You take two with breakfast or dinner.

Get it in MCT oil, up to 70% off
4
The team

Four more compounds, each with its own job

slot r4 · all · default/gif
Per 2-softgel serving All 5 work together
24mgastaxanthin
40mglutein
8mgzeaxanthin
20mglycopene
100mgtocotrienols
  • Astaxanthin: spans the cell membrane (reason 2)
  • Lutein + zeaxanthin: collect in the back of the eye, where they build its yellow filter12
  • Lycopene: the red in tomatoes, travels in your blood with the fats
  • Tocotrienols: a form of vitamin E that sits inside cell membranes23

Astaxanthin can't cover every tissue alone. So each serving carries four more fat-soluble compounds, and each one works in a different part of the body.

That is 4x the lutein and zeaxanthin used in the NIH's AREDS2 eye study.14

Get all 5 in one serving
Dr. Helen Marsh at her desk
Expert note

"Trials went up to 40 mg a day, and in several, benefits only showed at the higher doses. So I look past 12 mg on a label."1,2,3

Dr. Helen Marsh, host · dramatized character
5
The dose

24 mg, because the research went past 12

slot r5 · all · shared/s1-two-of-my-12sComparison card (your whole body)
Astaxanthin per day refs 1-5
  • A low-dose softgel4 mg
  • Where most brands stop12 mg
  • Gold Seal, per serving24 mg
  • Highest dose tested in trials40 mg

Most astaxanthin on the shelf says 4, 10 or 12 mg. Trials went up to 40 mg a day, and in several, benefits only showed at the higher doses.1,2,3 Triglycerides fell at 12 and 18 mg but not at 6 mg, and a skin inflammation marker held at 12 mg but not at 6 mg.1,2

A 2019 review of 87 human studies found no safety concerns. Regulators approve up to 24 mg.5

Two of your 12 mg softgels: the same 24 mg, zero lutein, zeaxanthin, lycopene or tocotrienols. Runs out twice as fast.
One Gold Seal serving: 24 mg plus all four, in MCT oil. A pouch of 60 lasts 30 days.
Get the full 24 mg serving
6
The source

Natural microalgae, the kind the studies used

slot r6 · all · default/comparisonComparison card (your whole body)
OursNaturalH. pluvialis microalgae, the source nearly all human studies used.
Check yoursSyntheticMade from petrochemicals. Approved as a color additive for farmed salmon feed.

Most astaxanthin made in the world is synthetic, made from petrochemicals for farmed salmon feed. Nearly all the human studies used natural astaxanthin from Haematococcus pluvialis microalgae.26 Ours comes from that same microalgae.

Turn your current label around. If it doesn't say where the astaxanthin came from, you can't tell which kind you're taking.

Check the label on ours
7
The promise

30 days to decide, and a real company behind it

Try it for 30 days. Keep it only if you love it.

Every order is covered. If it isn't for you, you get your money back and keep the pouch.

Backed by Gold Seal Supplements

  1. 1Take it for 30 daysTwo softgels a day with a meal.
  2. 2Not for you? Send one emailOne email to support. No forms to fill out.
  3. 3Get your money backNothing to send back.
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30days to decide
I take Astaxanthin and if I had to choose only one supplement to take this would be it! ... It is everything they say it is for sure!
Susie F.Facebook comment, verified buyer
I've been taking it for about 2 months. My skin looks amazing, my energy is much better. I've noticed my hair is not as gray, it's darker again.
Gail D.Facebook comment on our ad
I noticed a difference in my eyes first then my skin but it works!!
Pat D.Facebook comment on our ad
I take mine every night with 1 tbsp of mct oil. This stuff is awesome. ... I'm on my second bag of gold seal.
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What Gold Seal astaxanthin customers say

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★★★☆☆Prompt delivery. As expected. High dose.
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Photos are illustrative.

Quick answers

Is 24 mg safe?

A 2019 review of 87 human studies of natural astaxanthin found no safety concerns, and regulators have approved doses up to 24 mg.5 If you're pregnant, nursing, take medication or manage a health condition, check with your doctor first.

How fast will it arrive?

Orders ship within 1 business day from our US warehouse and arrive in about 3-7 business days. You get a tracking number by email.

Seven reasons, one serving

Built for your whole body from the inside of each cell out. 30 days to decide, or your money back.

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References (34 studies)
  1. Yoshida H et al. Atherosclerosis. 2010. Triglycerides fell at 12 and 18 mg, not 6 mg; HDL rose at 6 and 12 mg (12 weeks, placebo-controlled). PubMed
  2. Tominaga K et al. J Clin Biochem Nutr. 2017. 16 weeks, women 35-60, 6 or 12 mg. Placebo skin got drier with deeper wrinkles; astaxanthin groups held steady. PubMed
  3. Kim JH et al. J Med Food. 2011. Heavy smokers, 5, 20 or 40 mg for 3 weeks. Randomized by dose, no placebo. PubMed
  4. Xia W et al. Pharmacol Res. 2020. Meta-analysis of 14 trials. CRP lower only above 12 mg/day or 12+ weeks (subgroup). No effect on blood pressure or glucose. PubMed
  5. Brendler T, Williamson EM. Phytother Res. 2019. Safety review of 87 human studies of natural astaxanthin. Approved doses 2 to 24 mg by country. The EU caps supplements at 8 mg/day. PubMed
  6. Zhou X et al. Nutrients. 2021. Review of 9 controlled trials (plus 2 open-label): moisture and elasticity improved; wrinkle depth not significant. PubMed
  7. Tominaga K et al. Acta Biochim Pol. 2012. Men, 6 mg, 6 weeks, double-blind. PubMed
  8. Ito N et al. Nutrients. 2018. 4 mg, 10 weeks. Does not replace sunscreen. PubMed
  9. Stahl W et al. J Nutr. 2001. About 16 mg lycopene a day from tomato paste, 10 weeks. PubMed
  10. Juturu V et al. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2016. 10 mg lutein + 2 mg zeaxanthin, 12 weeks, placebo-controlled. PubMed
  11. Lefevre CE, Perrett DI. Q J Exp Psychol. 2015. Perception studies of carotenoid coloring vs tan. Credits dietary carotenoids, not a capsule. PubMed
  12. Yoshida K et al. Nutrients. 2023. 6 mg astaxanthin + 10 mg lutein + 2 mg zeaxanthin, 8 weeks, screen users. PubMed
  13. Sekikawa T et al. J Clin Biochem Nutr. 2023. 9 mg, 6 weeks. Effect seen only in adults 40 and over. PubMed
  14. AREDS2 Research Group. JAMA. 2013; JAMA Ophthalmol. 2014. 10 mg lutein + 2 mg zeaxanthin. Chosen to replace beta-carotene, which was linked to more lung cancers in former smokers. PubMed
  15. Stringham JM et al. Foods. 2017. Macular carotenoids (about 20 mg lutein), 6 months, heavy screen users. PubMed
  16. Wan S et al. Nutrients. 2024. Meta-analysis: HDL up, triglycerides and total cholesterol down, fasting insulin down. Supports levels already in the normal range. PubMed
  17. Iwamoto T et al. J Atheroscler Thromb. 2000. Human dose study, LDL tested in the lab (ex vivo), 1.8 to 21.6 mg for 14 days. PubMed
  18. Gajendragadkar PR et al. PLoS One. 2014. 7 mg lycopene, 2 months. Effect seen in heart patients, not in healthy volunteers. PubMed
  19. Ma B et al. Nutr Res. 2022. Meta-analysis of 12 randomized trials: MDA lower. CRP not significant in this analysis. PubMed
  20. Park JS et al. Nutr Metab. 2010. 2 or 8 mg, 8 weeks, healthy young women. PubMed
  21. Liu S et al. Nutrients. 2026. 24 randomized trials: CK lower after exercise; no change in performance. PubMed
  22. Liu C et al. Biol Res Nurs. 2024. 11 trials, with regular training. Stronger at 20 mg or more and over 12 weeks. PubMed
  23. Serbinova E et al. Free Radic Biol Med. 1991. Lab test on rat liver membranes. PubMed
  24. Manabe Y et al. Biosci Biotechnol Biochem. 2018; Petri D, Lundebye AK. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol. 2007. Animal studies. PubMed
  25. Animal studies of induced kidney injury, e.g. Qiu X et al. 2015. Animal data only. The only human trial (kidney transplant recipients) found no change in oxidative stress markers. No human kidney outcome is claimed on this page. PubMed
  26. 21 CFR 73.35 (FDA color additive listing); Brendler T, Williamson EM. Phytother Res. 2019. Synthetic astaxanthin is listed as a color additive for salmon feed. Nearly all efficacy trials used H. pluvialis. PubMed
  27. Rufer CE et al. Br J Nutr. 2008. Wild salmon color comes from astaxanthin. PubMed
  28. Kizawa Y et al. J Clin Biochem Nutr. 2021. Combination formula with astaxanthin; adults with screen-related eye fatigue, 6 weeks. PubMed
  29. Goto S et al. Biochim Biophys Acta. 2001. Lab study in liposome membranes: astaxanthin trapped radicals at the membrane surface (end rings) and inside the membrane (polyene chain). Not a human study. PubMed
  30. McNulty HP et al. Biochim Biophys Acta. 2007. Lab study (X-ray diffraction): astaxanthin preserved membrane structure and lowered lipid hydroperoxides by 40%. Not a human study. PubMed
  31. Okada Y et al. Biosci Biotechnol Biochem. 2009. H. pluvialis extract, 13 non-smokers: AUC 0-168 h 2,968 (before a meal) vs 7,219 ug h/L (after a meal), about 2.4x. Small, open study. PubMed
  32. Mercke Odeberg J et al. Eur J Pharm Sci. 2003. Healthy men, single 40 mg dose: astaxanthin has low oral bioavailability that fat improves; lipid-based formulas gave 1.7 to 3.7x the reference. Elimination half-life about 16 hours. The formulas were not MCT oil. PubMed
  33. Østerlie M, Bjerkeng B, Liaaen-Jensen S. J Nutr Biochem. 2000. 3 men, one 100 mg dose with a meal, blood tracked for 72 hours: peak about 6.7 hours after the dose, half-life about 21 hours; carried mainly in chylomicron/VLDL particles, also in LDL and HDL. Small study, high single dose. PubMed
  34. Li X, Xu J. Nutrients. 2013. Meta-analysis of 6 lycopene trials: systolic pressure lower, more so above 12 mg a day and when starting above 120; diastolic change not significant. PubMed

Many astaxanthin and carotenoid trials were funded by ingredient makers. Lab and animal results don't show what happens in people. Results in studies aren't a promise of individual results.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. This page is an advertisement published by Gold Seal Supplements. Diagrams and cell images are illustrations. Testimonials are real customer words; individual results vary. Reviewer photos are illustrative models, not the actual customers. Dr. Helen Marsh is a dramatized character. Consult your healthcare provider before starting any supplement, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a medical condition. Not intended for sale in the EU.

Supplement Reviews is published by Gold Seal Supplements.

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*These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

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