Astaxanthin is a carotenoid that belongs to the sub-group the xanthophylls. Astaxanthin is a pigment with a red colour that is produced by algae and accumulates in animals that consume this algae. Evidence suggests that astaxanthin is bioavailable in humans, where it acts as an antioxidant in tissues, accumulating preferentially in and on the membranes of cells. Like other xanthophylls, astaxanthin may have mood elevating effects in animals and humans. In this regard, researchers have assessed the ability of astaxanthin to protect from the development of mood disorders in animal models. In one such study, researchers administered astaxanthin to mice and them subjected them to stressful laboratory conditions that could alter their behaviour. The results of the study showed that the mice consuming the astaxanthin were protected from the development of anxious behaviour, but not protected from depressive behaviour. The authors concluded that astaxanthin may possess anxiolytic effects in mice.
Astaxanthin has been shown to cross the blood brain barrier in humans. This may suggest that it could also possess neuroprotective effects in humans. In fact, research shows that astaxanthin may possess cognitive effects in humans. Astaxanthin is available as a supplement (produced from algae), and can be consumed naturally from salmon, red trout, red sea bream, as well as crustaceans such as shrimp, krill, crab, lobster and crayfish, which all consume the algae and accumulate the pigment. The pink colour of these animals is caused by the high concentration of astaxanthin in their tissues.
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