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document
Safety of an astaxanthin-rich Haematococcus pluvialis algal extract : a randomized clinical trial . A growing body of scientific literature indicates that astaxanthin is a more powerful antioxidant than other carotenoids and vitamin E and may confer numerous health benefits . The purpose of this investigation was to conduct a human safety study with a Haematococcus pluvialis algal extract with high levels of astaxanthin . Thirty-five healthy adults age 35-69 years were enrolled in a randomized , double-blind , placebo-controlled trial of 8 weeks ' duration . All participants took three gelcaps per day , one at each meal . Nineteen participants received gelcaps with an algal extract in safflower oil , containing 2 mg of astaxanthin each ( treatment ) ; 16 participants received gelcaps containing safflower oil only ( placebo ) . Blood pressure and blood chemistry tests , including a comprehensive metabolic panel and cell blood count , were conducted at the beginning of the trial and after 4 and 8 weeks of supplementation . No significant differences were detected between the treatment and the placebo groups after 8 weeks of supplementation with the algal extract in the parameters analyzed , except for serum calcium , total protein , and eosinophils ( P < .01 ) . Although the differences in these three parameters were statistically significant , they were very small and are of no clinical importance . These results reveal that 6 mg of astaxanthin per day from a H. pluvialis algal extract can be safely consumed by healthy adults .
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Intervention_Pharmacological
astaxanthin-rich Haematococcus pluvialis algal extract :
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Intervention_Pharmacological
astaxanthin
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Intervention_Pharmacological
Haematococcus pluvialis algal extract with high levels of astaxanthin .
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Intervention_Control
placebo-controlled
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Intervention_Pharmacological
gelcaps with an algal extract in safflower oil
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Intervention_Pharmacological
astaxanthin
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Intervention_Control
gelcaps containing safflower oil only ( placebo ) .
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Outcome_Physical
serum calcium , total protein , and eosinophils
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Outcome_Other
safely
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Participant_Condition
Thirty-five healthy adults age 35-69 years were enrolled in a randomized , double-blind , placebo-controlled trial of 8 weeks ' duration .