The two primary female reproductive hormones are estrogen and progesterone. For optimal health, women need to maintain a proper balance of these hormones. Excessive oxidative stress can lead to female hormonal dysfunction. Antioxidants, including astaxanthin, have been shown to support female hormones by reducing oxidative stress.


What Exactly Is Astaxanthin?

Astaxanthin is a powerful carotenoid with antioxidant properties, a natural compound that helps reduce oxidative stress caused by free radicals in the body. Oxidative stress can occur during daily physiological processes, including exercise, as well as due to additional stressors such as environmental toxins, injuries, and an unhealthy diet. It is also a normal part of the aging process.

Astaxanthin has been shown to have the highest Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC), surpassing other common antioxidants—such as α-tocopherol, α-carotene, β-carotene, lutein, and lycopene—by several magnitudes. Research suggests that astaxanthin is associated with various health benefits, including neuroprotection, cardiovascular support, and the promotion of skin and eye health.

Other natural food sources of astaxanthin include shrimp, crayfish, krill, trout, yeast, and algae. Farmed Atlantic salmon contains approximately 1 mg of astaxanthin per 5 ounces. Notably, synthetic and natural astaxanthin are chemically different, and most evidence supporting the benefits of astaxanthin is based on natural sources.


Does Astaxanthin Increase Progesterone?

Astaxanthin has been shown to support female hormonal balance, including progesterone and estrogen levels, through its ability to regulate oxidative stress. An animal study demonstrated that astaxanthin significantly reduced oxidative stress in developing cultured follicles and ovarian cells exposed to bisphenol A (BPA), both in vivo and in vitro.

BPA is a chemical commonly found in hard plastics that can disrupt the production of female hormones. In the same study, the administration of astaxanthin enabled the cells to mature normally and produce higher levels of estrogen and progesterone.

This suggests that astaxanthin not only provides protective effects against common environmental toxins but also supports healthy female hormone balance. While the results highlight potential benefits, additional research, such as clinical trials, is needed.

Astaxanthin has also been reported to benefit male hormone production. In an animal study, astaxanthin restored testosterone and progesterone production in Leydig cells (found in the testes) exposed to oxidative stress. However, further research involving human participants is required before drawing definitive conclusions.


What Does Increased Progesterone Mean for My Body?

Progesterone is a hormone present in all human bodies and plays a role in increasing appetite and metabolism. For women and individuals with a vagina, it helps prepare the uterus for pregnancy and is essential for a healthy menstrual cycle and fertility. In men and individuals with a penis, progesterone plays a role in sperm and testosterone production.

Since adequate progesterone levels and overall hormonal balance are crucial for both women and men, astaxanthin has the potential to be a promising nutrient for a wide range of people, warranting further research.


Astaxanthin, Hormones, and Vision

Extensive research, including clinical studies involving over 180 participants, suggests that astaxanthin's powerful antioxidant properties can support eye, heart, and skin health, as well as contribute to athletic performance and recovery.

One of the main benefits of astaxanthin is its antioxidant effects that support eye health. The photoreceptor cells in the eyes are exposed to significant oxidative stress from light and oxygen throughout the day. The eyes are also vulnerable to damage from ultraviolet (UV) radiation.

Studies indicate that astaxanthin can enhance the retina's ability to resist these oxidative stresses, including eye fatigue and strain—two common issues caused by prolonged close-up viewing or extended exposure to blue light from computer screens. Astaxanthin supports our retina in protecting against these oxidative stresses, even including eye fatigue and strain.


Astaxanthin and Immune Health

Another benefit of astaxanthin is its ability to enhance immune health. Antioxidants are well-known for providing protective effects for various immune functions. A study involving young, healthy women showed that dietary supplementation with astaxanthin enhanced immune responses.


Astaxanthin and Skin Health

Regarding skin health, astaxanthin can promote an even skin tone, help maintain skin moisture, and exhibit significant protective effects against oxidative stress that can lead to premature aging. A double-blind, placebo-controlled study demonstrated that astaxanthin was a significant factor in improving wrinkles in 66 participants.


Astaxanthin and Athletic Performance and Recovery

It is well-known that exercise induces oxidative stress, with side effects including fatigue during exercise and muscle soreness after. A 2014 animal study showed that the astaxanthin group delayed exhaustion time by 29% in a swimming test. A 2011 clinical trial involving competitive cyclists indicated that the group taking astaxanthin showed an increase in power output.

A follow-up study in 2016 also provided evidence that astaxanthin improved performance in competitive male cyclists. In this study, cyclists supplemented with 12 mg of astaxanthin daily for 7 days before a race, experiencing an increase in whole-body fat oxidation rates during the final stages of an endurance race and reducing their total time.


Final Takeaways

Overall, astaxanthin is a powerful carotenoid with antioxidant properties that can support your health in various ways, including eye health, skin health, immune health, and more. The potential for astaxanthin to support hormones is still in the early stages of animal research. More studies and clinical trials are needed to draw conclusive results regarding its effects on hormones. Astaxanthin is best consumed in its natural form from food or dietary supplements, as the reported benefits come from studies on its natural form rather than the synthetic version.