Is Nutrex Hawaii Bioastin Hawaiin Astaxanthin 12MG - 120 Gel Caps Gluten Free?

The Ingredient Breakdown

To determine if a supplement is truly gluten-free, we must look beyond the active ingredient and scrutinize the carrier oils, binders, and capsule materials. For the Nutrex Hawaii Bioastin Hawaiian Astaxanthin 12MG, the formula is surprisingly clean regarding gluten risks.

The primary ingredient listed is High Oleic Safflower Oil. Safflower is a seed, not a grain, making it naturally gluten-free. It serves as the carrier for the astaxanthin, ensuring absorption. Next, we look at the capsule itself. The product uses Gelatin (bovine). Bovine gelatin is derived from cows, specifically from collagen in bones and skin. It is a protein that contains no gluten. While gelatin is generally safe, strict vegetarians or vegans would avoid this, but it poses no gluten threat.

The remaining ingredients are Glycerin and Purified Water, which are standard pharmaceutical-grade excipients used to create the softgel structure. Finally, Vitamin E (natural mixed tocopherols) is used as a preservative. Tocopherols are typically derived from vegetable oils (like sunflower in this case) and are gluten-free. There are no hydrolyzed vegetable proteins (HVP) derived from wheat listed. Therefore, the formulation is inherently gluten-free by ingredient composition.

Nutritional Value

While this supplement is not a source of macronutrients like protein or carbohydrates, it does contain fats due to the carrier oil. Each gel cap contains a small amount of fat (from the High Oleic Safflower Oil). However, the calorie count is negligible—likely less than 5-10 calories per cap—and will not impact daily caloric intake or weight management goals.

There is 0g of sugar, 0g of protein, and 0g of carbohydrates per serving. This makes it an excellent choice for those on Keto, Paleo, or low-carb diets. The only potential 'watch-out' is for those strictly monitoring fat intake, though the amount is minimal. The product is designed for therapeutic dosing of astaxanthin rather than nutritional sustenance, so it fits easily into almost any dietary regimen.