A dietary supplement includes comprising a therapeutic amount of astaxanthin derived from a synthetic or natural ester or diol, and at least one of a phospholipid, glycolipid, and sphingolipid, and formulated into an oral dosage form, wherein the astaxanthin is 0.1 to 15 percent by weight of the at least one phospholipid, glycolipid, and sphingolipid. The composition includes 0.5 to 12 mg of astaxanthin and may be used to treat low density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation in humans and other diseases, disorders and impairments.
