Zeaxanthin: benefits, dosage, contraindications
Other name(s)
Lutein
Family or group:
Phytochemicals
Indications
Scoring methodology
EFSA approval.
Cataract ✪✪✪✪✪
Clinical research shows that oral intake of 10 mg lutein and 2 mg zeaxanthin per day for an average of 4.7 years reduces the risk of requiring surgical intervention by 32% in patients whose dietary intake of lutein and zeaxanthin is low.
Posologie
Oral
2 mg
4 - years
A dose-response meta-analysis of dietary lutein and zeaxanthin intake in relation to risk of age-related cataract.
Association of Blood Antioxidants and Vitamins With Risk of Age-Related Cataract: A Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies
Lutein, but Not Alpha-Tocopherol, Supplementation Improves Visual Function in Patients With Age-Related Cataracts: A 2-y Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Pilot Study
AMD ✪✪✪✪✪
Epidemiological research has shown that people who consume higher amounts of lutein and zeaxanthin in their diet have a reduced risk of developing AMD. A meta-analysis shows that taking a carotenoid (lutein, zeaxanthin, or meso-zeaxanthin) improves macular pigment optical density compared with placebo in patients with or without AMD. More recently, a double-blind, placebo-controlled study found that macular pigment optical density and visual acuity are significantly improved in patients with non-exudative AMD after taking a combination of lutein (10-20 mg), zeaxanthin (1-2 mg), omega-3 fatty acids (100-200 mg of docosahexaenoic acid and 30-60 mg of eicosapentaenoic acid), and antioxidants for a period of 12 months.
Posologie
Oral
1 - 2 mg
12 - months
Lutein and Zeaxanthin Intake and the Risk of Age-Related Macular Degeneration: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Lutein and Zeaxanthin Supplementation and Association With Visual Function in Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Lutein Supplementation Over a One-Year Period in Early AMD Might Have a Mild Beneficial Effect on Visual Acuity: The CLEAR Study
Improvement of Retinal Function in Early Age-Related Macular Degeneration After Lutein and Zeaxanthin Supplementation: A Randomized, Double-Masked, Placebo-Controlled Trial
Role of Lutein Supplementation in the Management of Age-Related Macular Degeneration: Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Effects of Lutein and Docosahexaenoic Acid Supplementation on Macular Pigment Optical Density in a Randomized Controlled Trial
Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study of Zeaxanthin and Visual Function in Patients With Atrophic Age-Related Macular Degeneration: The Zeaxanthin and Visual Function Study (ZVF) FDA IND #78, 973
Effect of Lutein and Zeaxanthin on Macular Pigment and Visual Function in Patients With Early Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Lutein, Zeaxanthin and Meso-zeaxanthin Supplementation Associated With Macular Pigment Optical Density
Supplementation With All Three Macular Carotenoids: Response, Stability, and Safety
Eye health ✪✪✪✪✪
Foods containing high concentrations of lutein and zeaxanthin are more beneficial for eye health than other carotenoids and antioxidants such as vitamin A, lycopene, alpha- or beta-carotene, vitamin C and vitamin E. Indeed, the yellow color of lutein and zeaxanthin is due to their ability to absorb blue light. They therefore act as "sunglasses" that function as a filter for blue light, thereby reducing chromatic aberration and helping to prevent damage to photoreceptors. In addition, epidemiological research has shown that people who consume higher amounts of lutein and zeaxanthin in their diet have a reduced risk of developing AMD (age-related macular degeneration).
Posologie
Oral
2 - 5 mg
Macular Pigment Optical Density and Its Relationship With Serum and Dietary Levels of Lutein and Zeaxanthin
Biological Role of Lutein in the Light-Induced Retinal Degeneration
Biologic Mechanisms of the Protective Role of Lutein and Zeaxanthin in the Eye
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma ✪✪✪✪✪
An analysis of population-based observational research shows that increased consumption of lutein and zeaxanthin in the diet is associated with an 18% reduced risk of developing non-Hodgkin lymphoma compared with low dietary intake.
Posologie
Oral
20 mg
Skin health ✪✪✪✪✪
Lutein and zeaxanthin appear to protect against damage caused by UV radiation through antioxidant effects. According to animal studies, lutein reduces the risk of sunburn, as well as UV-induced immunosuppression, decreases reactive oxygen species, and directly protects against photoaging and photocarcinogenesis. There is evidence suggesting that supplementation with lutein and zeaxanthin could improve overall skin health while simultaneously helping to minimize signs of premature aging.
Posologie
Oral
6 - 10 mg
Vitamin and Carotenoid Intake and Risk of Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Skin
Dietary Lutein/Zeaxanthin Partially Reduces Photoaging and Photocarcinogenesis in Chronically UVB-irradiated Skh-1 Hairless Mice
Serum Carotenoids and Alpha-Tocopherol and Risk of Nonmelanoma Skin Cancer
Breast cancer ✪✪✪✪✪
Epidemiological research has shown that a high serum level of lutein and zeaxanthin is associated with a reduced risk of developing breast cancer.
Posologie
Oral
6 - 10 mg
Lung cancer ✪✪✪✪✪
Epidemiological research has shown that low serum levels of carotenoids, including lutein and zeaxanthin, are associated with an increased risk of lung cancer. However, other epidemiological studies have shown that a higher serum level or a greater dietary intake of lutein is not associated with a reduced risk of developing lung cancer. These findings contrast with those of a case-control study of 108 lung cancer cases, which found that higher serum carotenoid levels, particularly lutein and zeaxanthin, were significantly associated with an increased risk of lung cancer among alcohol drinkers, while possibly having a protective effect among non-drinkers.
Posologie
Orally
6 - 10 mg
Lung Cancer Mortality and Serum Levels of Carotenoids, Retinol, Tocopherols, and Folic Acid in Men and Women: A Case-Control Study Nested in the JACC Study
Serum Carotenoids and Mortality From Lung Cancer: A Case-Control Study Nested in the Japan Collaborative Cohort (JACC) Study
The Association Between Lung and Prostate Cancer Risk, and Serum Micronutrients: Results and Lessons Learned From Beta-Carotene and Retinol Efficacy Trial
Uterine cancer ✪✪✪✪✪
A study suggests that lutein and zeaxanthin are likely to have a protective effect against cervical cancer and possibly against the persistence of human papillomavirus (HPV) (a DNA virus that can be a precursor to anogenital cancers including cervical cancer). However, other epidemiological research has shown that low dietary lutein intake does not increase the risk of developing cervical cancer.
Posologie
Oral
6 - 10 mg
Colorectal cancer ✪✪✪✪✪
Some epidemiological research has shown a reduced risk of developing colon cancer in people consuming large amounts of dietary lutein and zeaxanthin.
Posologie
Oral
6 - 10 mg
Properties
Vision
Foods containing high concentrations of lutein and zeaxanthin are more beneficial for ocular health than other carotenoids and antioxidants such as vitamin A, lycopene, alpha- or beta-carotene, vitamin C, and vitamin E. The yellow color of lutein and zeaxanthin is due to their ability to absorb blue light. They therefore act like "sunglasses" that serve as a filter for blue light, thereby reducing chromatic aberration and helping to prevent photoreceptor damage. On the other hand, it is generally accepted that macular pigment density decreases with age, although the results are contradictory. In addition, epidemiological evidence has associated a high dietary intake of lutein and zeaxanthin with increased macular pigment optical density and a reduced risk of developing age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and cataracts.
Usages associés
Essential
Zeaxanthin and lutein can be considered conditionally essential nutrients because low serum levels or low dietary intakes are associated with an increased risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Epidemiological studies have also identified an association between low serum carotenoid levels, including lutein and zeaxanthin, and all-cause mortality, the risk of inflammatory polyarthritis, prostate cancer, colon cancer, cervical cancer, persistence of human papillomavirus, type 2 diabetes and impaired glucose metabolism, chronic cholestatic liver diseases, Alzheimer's disease, and vascular dementia.
Usages associés
Dermatological effect
Lutein and zeaxanthin appear to protect against damage caused by UV radiation through antioxidant effects. The protective effect of lutein and zeaxanthin against skin cancer is uncertain. Furthermore, there is evidence suggesting that supplementation with lutein and zeaxanthin could improve overall skin health while simultaneously helping to minimize signs of premature aging. A double-blind, placebo-controlled study examined surface lipids, hydration status, photoprotective activity, elasticity, and lipid peroxidation of the skin and found that oral and/or topical administration of lutein or zeaxanthin provides antioxidant protection. This protection is greater with combined administration of lutein and zeaxanthin.
Usages associés
Antioxidant
Zeaxanthin appears to have a direct antioxidant potential against peroxyl radicals, being able to scavenge them whether they are water-soluble or lipid-soluble.
Usages associés
Anticancer
The level of lutein in breast adipose tissue appears to be affected by diet, which could explain the lower incidence of certain cancers with increased consumption of fruits and vegetables. Epidemiological evidence shows that a high dietary intake of lutein and zeaxanthin has been associated with a reduced risk of certain cancers, notably endometrial and ovarian cancer, but not all cancers.
Usages associés
Immunomodulatory
In a case-control study, serum lutein and zeaxanthin, as well as other carotenoids, were lower in children with an acute infection compared with healthy controls.
Safe dosage
Adults 18 years and older: 6 mg - 20 mg
The recommended doses of carotenoids are approximately 6 to 10 mg per day and should never exceed 20 mg per day.
Adolescents 16 years and older:
The recommended doses of carotenoids are approximately 6 to 10 mg per day and should never exceed 20 mg per day.
Interactions
Médicaments
Orlistat: moderate interaction
Theoretically, long-term use of orlistat leads to reduced plasma levels of zeaxanthin due to decreased gastric absorption.
Plantes ou autres actifs
Zeaxanthin: moderate interaction
Long-term use of olestra (a fat substitute) may decrease serum levels of lutein and zeaxanthin.
Precautions
Pregnant women: avoid
Pregnant women should refrain from taking carotenoids and should rely only on those provided by food.
Breastfeeding: avoid
Breastfeeding women should refrain from taking carotenoids and should rely only on those provided by food.
Children up to 15 years: avoid
Its use is not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women and for children under 15 years of age.
Contraindications
Cancer: contraindicated
Prohibited (beyond amounts present in the diet) for anyone with cancer, so as not to reduce the effectiveness of treatments (general recommendation: do not take antioxidants in the case of cancer).
