Zeaxanthin · Zeaxanthin (xanthophyll carotenoid, stereoisomer/relative of lutein)
The companion carotenoid to lutein, co-studied in the landmark AREDS2 trial for slowing age-related macular degeneration progression and supporting cognitive function.
Short answer
Zeaxanthin (Zeaxanthin (xanthophyll carotenoid, stereoisomer/relative of lutein)) is a antioxidant / eye and cognitive aging support with evidence grade A, meaning it is well-supported by replicated human trials. We track 1 produkter containing Zeaxanthin. Typical doses range from 2 to 2 mg per portion. The top-ranked product scores 6.4 out of 10 on our composite scale (dose, evidence, price, testing, transparency). Prices range up to $50.00 per månad.
Top Zeaxanthin produkter
| Product | Varumärke | Dose | Pris/mo | 3rd-party tested | Poäng |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lemme NAD+ | 2 mg | $50.00 | No | 6.4 |
Scores are editorial judgments, not a scientific standard. Se how we score.
What it is
Zeaxanthin is a carotenoid closely related to lutein, found in similar dietary sources (corn, orange peppers, egg yolks) and, like lutein, concentrated in the macula of the eye where it forms part of the macular pigment.
Why people take it
Zeaxanthin and lutein work together in the macula and are essentially always studied and dosed as a pair in the strongest human trials; the same AREDS2 evidence base for slowing macular degeneration progression applies to zeaxanthin as a co-active ingredient.
Our verdict
As with lutein, this compound benefits from genuinely strong Phase 3 RCT evidence (AREDS2) for a real disease outcome, though it is almost never studied in isolation from lutein, making it hard to fully separate its independent contribution.
Structure & class
Zeaxanthin exists in multiple stereoisomeric forms; the macula-relevant, commonly supplemented forms are typically derived from marigold extract (as a lutein/zeaxanthin blend) or, less commonly, from sources higher in the meso-zeaxanthin isomer.
Mechanism & clinical data
As in the lutein entry, the AREDS2 trial (Chew et al. 2013, JAMA) tested 10 mg lutein plus 2 mg zeaxanthin daily (among other arms) in 4,203 participants over 5 years, finding reduced progression to late AMD, especially versus the beta-carotene-containing formulation (hazard ratio 0.85, p=0.02). The cognitive RCTs described for lutein (12 mg/day combined L+Z improving attention/cognitive flexibility over 1 year; 10 mg lutein + 2 mg zeaxanthin improving visual episodic memory over 6 months) also used combined lutein-zeaxanthin dosing rather than zeaxanthin alone.
Pharmacokinetics
Similar to lutein, zeaxanthin accumulates in macular tissue over weeks to months; plasma clearance after single dosing is on the order of days, but disease-outcome benefits require years of sustained supplementation as demonstrated in AREDS2's 5-year design.
Dose & forms
What to watch out for
Almost always dosed and studied in combination with lutein rather than alone, so independent effects are hard to isolate; fat-soluble, requiring dietary fat for optimal absorption; generally very well tolerated at studied doses.
Where this dose comes from
The trial dose above is our editorial pick from the published human trials for this ingredient. We choose the dose that the best-available studies used on the endpoint most relevant to longevity. The range shows the lowest and highest doses tested in published trials. The landmark studies below are the papers we read to set it. You can click through and check our work.
When new trials publish, our automated sweeps flag them. If a new study materially changes the dose, we update it through editorial review and record the old dose, new dose, and the triggering study in every affected product's recommendation history. The dose is never changed automatically.
Regelverk status
Timeline
Regelverk events, evidence grade changes, and key research milestones for Zeaxanthin, most recent first. Every entry links to its primär source.
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EU Court sharpens the bar for botanical health claimsA Court of Justice of the European Union ruling in april 2025 further tightened the requirements for how botanical ingredients (herbs, plant extracts) can be marketed with health claims in the EU, effectively removing much of the flexibility of the on-hold list.
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EU report identifies 117 supplement substances as potential health risksThe HoA Working Group on Food Supplements (26 European countries) published its first report evaluating 117 substances used in food supplements. Of these, 65 were assessed as likely novel foods, 6 were already regulated, 34 had insufficient data, and 12 were prioritized for Article 8 restriction under Regulation (EC) No 1925/2006. The 12 priority substances include ashwagandha, curcumin, melatonin, piperine, St. John's wort, coumarin, p-synephrine, maca, holy basil, Melaleuca, black cohosh, and L-tryptophan. The report drew on 1,500 RASFF alerts reviewed between 2017 and mid-2022.
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Chew EY, et al. (2013). Lutein + zeaxanthin and omega-3 fatty acids for age-related macular degeneration: the Age-Related Eye Disease Studie 2 (AREDS2) randomized clinical trial. JAMA. PMID 23644932.Chew EY, et al. (2013). Lutein + zeaxanthin and omega-3 fatty acids for age-related macular degeneration: the Age-Related Eye Disease Studie 2 (AREDS2) randomized clinical trial. JAMA. PMID 23644932.
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EU Health Claims Regulation adoptedRegulation (EC) No 1924/2006 laid down harmonised rules for nutrition and health claims made on foods, including supplements. Only claims listed in the EU Register of authorised claims can be used. Rejected botanical claims are held in a separate on-hold list.
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EU introduces the Novel Food RegulationRegulation (EC) No 258/97 required any food or food ingredient without a history of consumption in the EU before 15 maj 1997 to be authorised before being placed on the market. This is the framework that captures NMN, spermidine as a supplement ingredient, urolithin A, and many other longevity actives.
Landmark studies
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Chew EY, et al. (2013). Lutein + zeaxanthin and omega-3 fatty acids for age-related macular degeneration: the Age-Related Eye Disease Studie 2 (AREDS2) randomized clinical trial. JAMA. PMID 23644932.
Chew EY, et al. (2013). Lutein + zeaxanthin and omega-3 fatty acids for age-related macular degeneration: the Age-Related Eye Disease Studie 2 (AREDS2) randomized clinical trial. JAMA. PMID 23644932.
Läs studie →
Found in these produkter (1)
Alla produkter in our catalog that contain Zeaxanthin, ranked by our overall score. Ranking is editorial, never paid.
Buying guides and comparisons
Related ingredients
Se alla in Antioxidant / Eye and cognitive aging support →Molekyler in the same class, plus the actives most often formulated alongside Zeaxanthin in our catalogue.
Frequently asked questions
What is Zeaxanthin?
Zeaxanthin is a carotenoid closely related to lutein, found in similar dietary sources (corn, orange peppers, egg yolks) and, like lutein, concentrated in the macula of the eye where it forms part of the macular pigment.
What dose of Zeaxanthin should I take?
The trial dose in published human studies is 2 mg per dag, with a range of 2 to 4 mg per dag. Always consult a qualified clinician before starting any supplement.
Is Zeaxanthin safe?
Almost always dosed and studied in combination with lutein rather than alone, so independent effects are hard to isolate; fat-soluble, requiring dietary fat for optimal absorption; generally very well tolerated at studied doses.
What is the best Zeaxanthin supplement?
We track 1 produkter containing Zeaxanthin. The top-ranked product scores 6.4 out of 10 on our composite scale, which evaluates dose, evidence, price, third-party testing, and transparency. See the comparison table above. Scores are editorial judgments, not a scientific standard.
What is the evidence grade for Zeaxanthin?
Zeaxanthin has evidence grade A, meaning it is well-supported by replicated human trials. Grade A means replicated human RCTs with hard endpoints. Grade B means human RCTs with biomarker outcomes. Grade C means mixed or small human trials. See our evidence grading methodology.
Data verification
Bevisning grades are reviewed when new human RCTs are published. Product counts update automatically as new produkter are added. Dose ranges reflect published trial data, not brand recommendations. Read how we verify.