Does astaxanthin have any side effects? Can pregnant women take health supplements containing astaxanthin?

Astaxanthin has almost no side effects. It is a very effective ingredient for women's skin care and body protection, and is widely used in health care products. So for pregnant women, they need to pay attention to their diet. So can pregnant women take astaxanthin health supplements?

Does Astaxanthin Have Any Side Effects?

You may not know much about the side effects of astaxanthin. Taking a small amount of astaxanthin generally has no side effects, but it does not rule out that some people with allergies may experience some side effects, such as increased pigmentation and hair growth. If you usually ignore these details, the side effects of astaxanthin may be difficult for you to discover, including yourself.

1. Astaxanthin has no side effects

Astaxanthin is a natural bio-pigment and antioxidant that protects against free radical oxidative damage. It is widely found in shrimp and crab shells and has strong biological activity. Studies have shown that astaxanthin preparations are more than a thousand times more effective than vitamin E in inhibiting lipid peroxidation in rat liver homogenate. Astaxanthin has a wide range of uses. It can be used as a food preservative to prevent food from spoiling; it can be added to cosmetics to have a beauty and skin care effect; in addition, it can also be made into health foods, beverages, etc.

So far, there is no record of any side effects or contraindications of natural astaxanthin, and it is relatively safe. However, when taking health supplements, you should first determine whether you are a suitable person, and then take them under the guidance of a doctor or strictly according to the instructions for use of the health supplement. The more health supplements you take, the better.

2. Possible side effects

Common side effects of astaxanthin include increased pigmentation, hair growth, hormonal changes, and lower blood pressure. Changes such as decreased calcium levels, decreased libido, and enlarged breasts in men are sometimes found, but are rare. There is also the potential for fatal allergic reactions, so people who are allergic to this substance should avoid related foods.

Attention should be paid to the interaction of this substance with other drugs. For example, the effects of blood pressure medications can be amplified by astaxanthin and cause blood pressure to drop to dangerous levels. Hormonal treatments and birth control pills can also be affected by this supplement. Other drugs that may interact with it include asthma medications. Since liver enzymes responsible for clearing different drugs from the blood are also affected, this can lead to increased levels of drugs in the blood.

Reactions with other supplements and herbs are also possible, such as saw palmetto, black cohosh, and other herbs. Astaxanthin's negative effects of lowering blood pressure and calcium levels may be amplified by these herbs. Additionally, carotenoid antioxidants can reduce astaxanthin absorption and are therefore not generally recommended for use together.

Can pregnant women use skin care products containing astaxanthin?

It is not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women to take astaxanthin.

Astaxanthin is a new resource food approved by the Ministry of Health in 2010; Moringa leaves are a new resource food approved by the country in 2014 and are safe. Children over 12 years old can eat it. However, pregnant women and infants have more problems, so it is recommended to consume it with caution.

Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should try not to take it. When choosing astaxanthin, try to choose the one extracted from Haematococcus pluvialis cultivated in closed freshwater culture, such as Astaking astaxanthin. This type of higher purity astaxanthin is suitable for long-term use.

Astaxanthin is rich in ingredients needed by the human body. It can be taken regularly to resist aging, alleviate various cardiovascular diseases, whiten the skin, and protect against the sun.