About Zeaxanthin

Zeaxanthin (pronounced "zee-uh-ZANTH-in") is a naturally occurring nutrient that is found in your body as well as in fruits, vegetables, corn and marigolds. Along with lutein, zeaxanthin belongs to the carotenoid family as part of a subgroup called xanthophylls. These are located in the macula and in the lens of the human eye. Zeaxanthin is easily absorbed into the blood stream to be disbursed throughout the body (predominately in the eyes and skin).

The Facts

• This powerful antioxidant works by protecting your eye from harmful blue light, which can cause oxygen molecules to attack other molecules in your eye (oxidative stress). Zeaxanthin also helps reduce glare and protect delicate cells and cell membranes by inhibiting free radicals. Research conducted at Harvard Medical School supports the role of zeaxanthin in shielding your retina from harmful damage as a result of exposure to light.

Clinical Research

• Research conducted at Harvard University Medical Center (published in November 2002 in "Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science and "Experimental Eye Research") strongly indicates that supplementing your diet with zeaxanthin helps to prevent and minimize damage to the retinas. Zeaxanthin works by protecting the photoreceptors on the rod and cone area of the retina. Ongoing clinical research being conducted at Queen's Centre of Vision and Vascular Science in Ireland, also suggests that zeaxanthin (along with lutein) can help to prevent vision loss in people diagnosed with age-related macular degeneration, slow progression of the disease and perhaps even sharpen central vision.

Zeaxanthin's Role in Preventing AMD

• Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is a disease in which your eye's macula is attacked, often leaving sufferers with weak peripheral vision, dim images and/or a black hole in the center of their vision. The rods and cones in your macula lend sharpness color perception to your vision. Zeaxanthin helps preserve normal pigment levels in your rods and cones and prevents damage to the photoreceptors.

Additional Benefits

• Zeaxanthin can help to improve your central vision in much the same way as it protects against AMD since it is deposited in the macula, which is predominately responsible for sharp central vision. Taking zeaxanthin can help to reduce glare from blue light (also known as short wave visible light). Increasing amounts of haze and smog in our environment interact with blue light to create glare. Since zeaxanthin acts by absorbing that blue light, it can thereby reduce glare.

Guidelines

• Clinical studies indicate that 6 milligrams daily is beneficial for those seeking to prevent disease, while anyone already diagnosed with AMD should take closer to 10 milligrams. Eating a healthy diet with four to seven servings of vegetables and fruit each day along with taking a dietary supplement should maintain healthy levels of both lutein and zeaxanthin.