Astaxanthin food sources

The super antioxidant astaxanthin is available is certain foods

Astaxanthin is found in many common  foods, including:

• shrimp  

• crabs

• lobster (astaxanthin was first isolated in a laboratory in 1938 from lobster)

• trout

• red seabream

• salmon

• fish eggs

• carrots

• red peppers

• other red-pigmented vegetables and fruits

Among these astaxanthin food sources, wild caught salmon has the highest content of astaxanthin. It should be noted, however, that in order to get 3.6 mg of astaxanthin you would have to eat approximately 6 ounces (165 grams) of salmon every day.¹ Considering that many studies find astaxanthin supplements to be beneficial in much higher amounts than 3.6 mg, you’d be eating salmon at every meal and still likely falling short from the amount available in dietary supplements.

That being said, among the salmon choices one might make, sockeye salmon has the highest amount of astaxthin – 30-58 mg per kilogram. Coho salmon has the next highest – 9-29 mg per kilo.

References: Iwamoto T, et al. Inhibition of low-density lipoprotein oxidation by astaxanthin. J Atherosc Thromb 2000;7:216-22.