What is the effect of astaxanthin (ASX) supplementation on lipid profile, insulin resistance (IR), blood pressure (BP), and oxidative stress (OS) levels in infertile women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)?
Astaxanthin Softgels, a randomized controlled trial (Phytother Res 2023, PMID 37874168) — after 8 weeks, ASX consumption led to significant reductions in fasting blood sugar, HOMA-IR, FI, MDA, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, and TC/HDL-C. Scope: over 8 weeks, and the abstract states no limitations.
Source: Phytother Res 2023, PMID 37874168 ↗ · Research map · How Magellan grades evidence · evidence confidence: medium
Phytother Res · 2023 · PMID 37874168 · DOI 10.1002/ptr.8037
Astaxanthin supplementation may improve insulin resistance, lipid profiles, and oxidative stress in infertile women with PCOS.
The question
What is the effect of astaxanthin (ASX) supplementation on lipid profile, insulin resistance (IR), blood pressure (BP), and oxidative stress (OS) levels in infertile women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)?
What they tested
Astaxanthin (ASX) supplementation may have therapeutic benefits for polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) patients, potentially improving lipid profile, insulin resistance, blood pressure, and oxidative stress.
How they did it
This was a triple-blind randomized clinical trial involving 58 infertile women with PCOS. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either a placebo or ASX (2 × 6 mg/day) for 8 weeks. Blood serum samples were collected before and after the intervention to evaluate fasting insulin (FI), fasting blood glucose (FBS), oxidative stress markers (malondialdehyde [MDA], superoxide dismutase [SOD], and total antioxidant capacity [TAC]), and lipid profiles. Insulin resistance indices were calculated, and blood pressure was assessed at the start and end of the study.
What they found
After 8 weeks, ASX consumption led to significant reductions in fasting blood sugar, HOMA-IR, FI, MDA, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, and TC/HDL-C. Conversely, ASX significantly increased TAC, HDL-C, and QUICKI. After adjusting for baseline values of age, BMI, and biochemical parameters, QUICKI and FI showed non-significant values, while other findings remained unchanged.
What it means
Astaxanthin appears to be an effective and safe supplement that improves insulin metabolism, lipid profile parameters, and oxidative stress in infertile PCOS patients.
Limitations
The abstract does not explicitly state any limitations of the study.
Where the published abstract does not list limitations, we say so rather than inventing them. Read the full paper on PubMed before drawing conclusions.
The paper at a glance
| Title | Astaxanthin supplementation impact on insulin resistance, lipid profile, blood pressure, and oxidative stress: a triple-blind randomized clinical trial |
|---|---|
| Journal | Phytother Res |
| Year | 2023 |
| PMID | 37874168 ↗ |
| DOI | 10.1002/ptr.8037 ↗ |
| Topic | Metabolic health, glucose & body composition |
Read the source: PubMed record (authors, abstract, full citation) ↗ · Publisher via doi.org ↗
Where Magellan uses this paper
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Astaxanthin Softgels
In humans, randomized trials and meta-analyses most consistently show that astaxanthin lowers the lipid-peroxidation marker malondialdehyde (MDA) and raises total antioxidant capacity and superoxide-dismutase activity, with additional signals for modest improvements in skin moisture and elasticity, fatigue, and some…
Astaxanthin is a reddish xanthophyll carotenoid produced mainly by the microalga Haematococcus…
Research describes the compound or intervention studied. It is not a claim about any specific product.
Molecules & mechanisms in this paper
Each of these is named in the paper’s own words above. Open the monograph for the full mechanism and its other citations.
Cite this page
These citations point at this summary. To cite the original paper with its full author list, use the PubMed record or doi.org.
Magellan Longevity. (2026). What is the effect of astaxanthin (ASX) supplementation on lipid profile, insulin resistance (IR), blood pressure (BP), and oxidative stress (OS) levels in infertile women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)? [Plain-English summary of Phytother Res 2023, PMID 37874168, DOI 10.1002/ptr.8037]. Magellan Longevity. https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d37874168.html@misc{magellan_d37874168,
title = {What is the effect of astaxanthin (ASX) supplementation on lipid profile, insulin resistance (IR), blood pressure (BP), and oxidative stress (OS) levels in infertile women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)?},
author = {{Magellan Longevity}},
year = {2026},
howpublished = {\url{https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d37874168.html}},
note = {Plain-English summary of PubMed PMID 37874168; DOI 10.1002/ptr.8037; Phytother Res 2023. Reviewed by Gabriel Radu, DO},
urldate = {2026-08-11}
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