Zeaxanthin

Carotenoid

Zeaxanthin is a xanthophyll carotenoid concentrated in macular pigment. It is often studied with lutein and multi-ingredient eye formulations, so combination outcomes cannot be assigned to zeaxanthin alone.

Pharmacokinetic model

A route-level PK model for zeaxanthin is being prepared from published data. Dosing references, studies, and documented interactions are below; the app catalog is updated as models are validated.

Key facts

Category
Carotenoid
Suggested cadence
once daily

Research behind this entry

  1. Lutein plus zeaxanthin and omega-3 fatty acids for age-related macular degeneration: the AREDS2 randomized clinical trial Age-Related Eye Disease Study 2 Research Group · JAMA, 2013 DOI

    AREDS2 randomized 4,203 at-risk adults. Adding lutein plus zeaxanthin did not significantly reduce progression to advanced AMD in the primary analysis, though it offered a beta-carotene-free formulation option. The…

  2. Comparison of plasma responses after non-esterified zeaxanthin and zeaxanthin dipalmitate in human subjects Breithaupt DE, Weller P, Wolters M, Hahn A · British Journal of Nutrition, 2004 DOI

    Twelve volunteers received equal 5 mg doses in a randomized crossover study. Plasma response peaked between 9 and 24 hours and differed by ester form, directly showing why one formulation-independent curve is unsuitable.

2 published studies referenced in the app, each with a plain-language summary.