Meta Information
ID:astaxanthin
Name:
Schema Version:AIM-2.0
Interactions
Target id:
/dietary/high-fat-meal
Target name:
Meal Containing Dietary Fat
Severity:
major
Interaction type:
requirement
Nature:
temporal
Temporal spacing:
Hours before target:
0
Hours after target:
0
Description:
As a fat-soluble carotenoid, astaxanthin requires dietary fats for emulsification and absorption in the small intestine, increasing its bioavailability significantly.
Actionable advice:
Always take astaxanthin with a meal that contains healthy fats like olive oil, avocado, fish, or nuts.
Target id:
/class/bile-acid-sequestrants
Target name:
Bile Acid Sequestrants
Severity:
major
Interaction type:
diminishing
Nature:
temporal
Temporal spacing:
Hours before target:
1
Hours after target:
4
Description:
Bile acid sequestrants (e.g., cholestyramine) bind to bile acids, which are essential for absorbing fats and fat-soluble compounds like astaxanthin, thereby preventing its absorption.
Actionable advice:
Take astaxanthin at least 1 hour before or 4-6 hours after taking a bile acid sequestrant.
Target id:
/intervention/orlistat
Target name:
Orlistat (Xenical, Alli)
Severity:
major
Interaction type:
diminishing
Nature:
temporal
Temporal spacing:
Hours before target:
2
Hours after target:
2
Description:
Orlistat is a lipase inhibitor that blocks the digestion and absorption of dietary fats, which will severely impair the absorption of fat-soluble astaxanthin.
Actionable advice:
Separate astaxanthin from Orlistat doses by at least 2 hours.
Target id:
/condition/pregnancy
Target name:
Pregnancy
Severity:
major
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
The safety of astaxanthin supplementation during pregnancy has not been established through rigorous clinical trials.
Actionable advice:
Avoid taking astaxanthin supplements during pregnancy unless specifically directed by your healthcare provider.
Target id:
/condition/lactation
Target name:
Breastfeeding (Lactation)
Severity:
major
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
It is unknown if astaxanthin is excreted into breast milk or what its potential effects on a nursing infant might be.
Actionable advice:
Avoid taking astaxanthin supplements while breastfeeding due to a lack of safety data.
Target id:
/class/antihypertensives
Target name:
Antihypertensive Medications
Severity:
moderate
Interaction type:
synergistic
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
Astaxanthin may improve endothelial function and reduce oxidative stress, leading to a mild reduction in blood pressure. This can have an additive effect with blood pressure-lowering medications.
Actionable advice:
Monitor your blood pressure if you start astaxanthin while taking antihypertensive drugs, and consult your doctor.
Target id:
/class/antidiabetic-medications
Target name:
Diabetes Medications
Severity:
moderate
Interaction type:
synergistic
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
Some evidence suggests astaxanthin can improve insulin sensitivity and help lower blood glucose levels, potentially enhancing the effect of antidiabetic drugs and increasing the risk of hypoglycemia.
Actionable advice:
Monitor blood sugar levels closely when combining astaxanthin with diabetes medications, and consult your doctor.
Target id:
/class/5-alpha-reductase-inhibitors
Target name:
5-alpha-reductase Inhibitors
Severity:
moderate
Interaction type:
synergistic
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
Astaxanthin has been shown to inhibit the 5-alpha-reductase enzyme, which converts testosterone to DHT. This action is additive with medications like finasteride or dutasteride.
Actionable advice:
Be aware of potential additive hormonal effects when combining astaxanthin with 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors.
Target id:
/class/anticoagulants-antiplatelets
Target name:
Anticoagulants and Antiplatelets
Severity:
minor
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
Theoretical and preclinical data suggest astaxanthin may have mild antiplatelet activity, which could potentially increase the risk of bleeding when combined with blood-thinning medications.
Actionable advice:
Use with caution and consult your doctor before taking astaxanthin if you are on medications like warfarin, clopidogrel, or aspirin.
Target id:
/class/cyp3a4-substrates
Target name:
CYP3A4 Substrates
Severity:
minor
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
In vitro studies suggest astaxanthin may weakly inhibit the CYP3A4 enzyme, which could theoretically slow the metabolism and increase the concentration of drugs processed by this pathway.
Actionable advice:
This interaction is likely not clinically significant for most people, but consult a pharmacist if you take a narrow-therapeutic-index drug metabolized by CYP3A4.
Target id:
/class/cyp2c9-substrates
Target name:
Drugs Metabolized by CYP2C9
Severity:
minor
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
Astaxanthin may weakly inhibit the CYP2C9 enzyme based on in vitro data, potentially slowing the breakdown of medications like warfarin and some NSAIDs.
Actionable advice:
Use with caution if taking medications metabolized by CYP2C9, especially those with a narrow therapeutic index like warfarin.
Target id:
/class/carotenoids
Target name:
Other Carotenoids (e.g., Beta-carotene, Lutein, Lycopene)
Severity:
minor
Interaction type:
diminishing
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
High doses of a single carotenoid can compete for the same absorption pathways in the gut as other carotenoids, potentially reducing their uptake if consumed together in large supplemental amounts.
Actionable advice:
If taking multiple high-dose carotenoid supplements, consider taking them with different meals to maximize absorption.
Target id:
/intervention/vitamin-e
Target name:
Vitamin E
Severity:
minor
Interaction type:
synergistic
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
Astaxanthin and Vitamin E are both powerful lipid-soluble antioxidants that work in concert within cell membranes to protect against oxidative damage.
Actionable advice:
Consider taking astaxanthin and Vitamin E together with a fatty meal to support cellular antioxidant defenses.