Zeaxanthin: Your Eyes' Best Friend

Macular degeneration is one of the biggest threats to our eyesight, especially as we get older. Certain types of this condition are often considered incurable, and can lead to blindness.

The good news is that a simple compound, which can be taken as a supplement, has been shown to halt or even promote reversal of macular degeneration, according to recent studies. The compound is called Zeaxanthin.

Zeaxanthin (zee-uh-ZAN-thin) is a fat-soluble antioxidant compound of the xanthophyll class of carotenoids that gives various fruits and vegetables their red, yellow and orange color. (Flamingos have it, too! That’s how they get their beautiful pink color.)

Zeaxanthin is found deep in the human eye, where it protects the retina. It is in the retina that the macular pigment is found; if that macula degenerates, it is called “macular degeneration.”

An article published in the peer-reviewed scientific journal Nutrients in February 2020 concludes: “It has been shown that supportive therapy with Lutein and Zeaxanthin can have a beneficial effect in delaying the progression of eye diseases such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and cataracts.” The article recommends a daily dose of 2 mg Zeaxanthin and 10 mg of Lutein (another very helpful eye nutrient).

So, to give yourself your best shot against macular degeneration and to promote the health of your retina, I recommend you take a supplement with at least 2mg of Zeaxanthin and 10mg of Lutein – at least once per day.

In addition to your daily supplement…

…keep in mind that Zeaxanthin and Lutein are also found in certain foods, like kale, spinach, collards, butternut squash, savoy cabbage, kiwi, parsley, peas, broccoli and carrots. Why not give yourself every advantage?

* If you want to read about Zeaxanthin in more detail, try these:
https://www.macular.org/zeaxanthin
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35215476/

By Dr. Anthony Salzarulo, DC, PT with Matthew Tomasino, BFA, LMT. Edited by Christopher Philips