Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Astaxanthin is a carotenoid antioxidant found in microalgae, yeast, salmon, trout, krill, shrimp, and crayfish. Its use in supporting or treating Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is primarily grounded in scientific rationale rather than traditional medicine. The interest arises from astaxanthin's potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which have been demonstrated in in vitro and animal studies. These studies show that astaxanthin can inhibit the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines (such as TNF-α and IL-1β) and reduce oxidative stress, both of which are implicated in the pathogenesis of RA.

However, the clinical evidence in humans is limited. Only a handful of small clinical trials and pilot studies have evaluated astaxanthin in the context of inflammatory conditions, with mixed results. For example, a few small studies suggest that astaxanthin supplementation may reduce markers of inflammation and improve symptoms in people with joint pain or mild osteoarthritis, but these findings have not been robustly replicated in large, high-quality trials specifically involving RA patients. No major clinical guidelines recommend astaxanthin for RA, and its efficacy compared to established therapies is unknown.

In summary, while the mechanistic rationale and preliminary studies suggest a possible benefit of astaxanthin in RA via its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant actions, robust clinical evidence is lacking. Thus, its use is best viewed as experimental or adjunctive rather than established therapy.

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Other ingredients used for Rheumatoid Arthritis

Other health conditions supported by astaxanthin

Products containing astaxanthin

Thorne Advanced Nutrients Multivitamin
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Designs For Health Astaxanthin
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Klean Athlete Klean Antioxidant ™
Klean Athlete Klean Multivitamin ™
Douglas Laboratories Krill Oil
Pure Encapsulations Krill-Plex
Pure Encapsulations Krill-Plex
Designs For Health OcuForce™ Blue 60 Capsules
Douglas Laboratories Ultra Preventive ® 2 Daily
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Designs For Health XanthOmega™ Krill Oil