Astaxanthin, a natural antioxidant, lowers cholesterol and markers of cardiovascular risk in individuals with prediabetes and dyslipidaemia

Abstract

Aim: To determine the effects of astaxanthin treatment on lipids, cardiovascular disease (CVD) markers, glucose tolerance, insulin action and inflammation in individuals with prediabetes and dyslipidaemia. Materials and Methods: Adult participants with dyslipidaemia and prediabetes (n = 34) underwent baseline blood draw, an oral glucose tolerance test and a one-step hyperinsulinaemic-euglycaemic clamp. They were then randomized (n = 22 treated, 12 placebo) to receive astaxanthin 12 mg daily or placebo for 24 weeks. Baseline studies were repeated after 12 and 24 weeks of therapy. Results: After 24 weeks, astaxanthin treatment significantly decreased low-density lipoprotein (−0.33 ± 0.11 mM) and total cholesterol (−0.30 ± 0.14 mM) (both P