Astaxanthin & Zeaxanthin | 60 softgels | Swanson

Astaxanthin & Zeaxanthin by Swanson

Two colorful substances in one softgel. Astaxanthin and zeaxanthin are both carotenoids, the natural pigments that give plants and animals their red, orange, and yellow hues. Swanson combines them in a softgel: 4 mg astaxanthin and 4 mg zeaxanthin per softgel. The astaxanthin comes from microalgae, and the zeaxanthin from paprika. For those who want these two carotenoids together in a fixed form.

Two Carotenoids in One Softgel

Carotenoids form a large family of natural colorants. You can find them in carrots, tomatoes, bell peppers, and in animals like salmon and flamingos. Astaxanthin is the red carotenoid that gives salmon and flamingos their color. Zeaxanthin is a yellow carotenoid, related to lutein. This product contains both, 4 mg each per softgel. Because they are carotenoids, they are fat-soluble and not water-soluble, hence the choice for an oil-based softgel.

Where Astaxanthin Comes From

The astaxanthin in this product comes from Haematococcus pluvialis, a freshwater microalga. Under stress, this alga produces large quantities of astaxanthin, causing it to turn bright red. It's the same substance that gives salmon a pink color, as salmon feed on organisms containing astaxanthin. For supplements, astaxanthin is extracted from cultivated algae. This provides a plant-based source of this red carotenoid, here 4 mg per softgel.

Zeaxanthin from Paprika

The zeaxanthin in this product is named OmniXan and is extracted from paprika. Zeaxanthin is a yellow carotenoid also naturally found in corn, egg yolk, and green leafy vegetables. It is often mentioned as a duo with lutein. This softgel contains 4 mg of zeaxanthin, paired with 4 mg of astaxanthin. Thus, two different carotenoids, from two different sources, in a single softgel.

Fat-Soluble, Therefore in Oil

Because astaxanthin and zeaxanthin are fat-soluble, they are contained here in an oil-filled softgel instead of a powder-filled capsule. Good to know: the softgel is made from gelatin and contains beeswax, and also contains soy due to the tocopherols used. This product is therefore not plant-based and not suitable for those with a soy allergy.

In summary, these are two carotenoids in a convenient softgel: 4 mg astaxanthin from microalgae and 4 mg zeaxanthin from paprika. One bottle contains sixty softgels, one per day.