Carotenoids are plant-based molecules, consumption of which associate with an array of health effects in humans – most notably, potential antioxidant activity. Kwadwo Akuffo, from the Waterford Institute of Technology (Ireland), and colleagues enrolled 87 men and women with early age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in a study in which the subjects received either: 20 mg lutein/0.88 zeanthin daily; 10 mg meso-zeanthin/10mg lutein/2 mg zeanthin daily; or 17 mg meso-zeanthin/3 mg lutein/2 mg zeanthin daily. Subjects continued the supplementation for 3 years. The participants who took 17 mg meso-zeanthin/3 mg lutein/2 mg zeanthin daily showed the greatest increases in macular pigmentation as well as improvement in contrast sensitivity. The study authors write that: “In early [age-related macular degeneration], [macular pigment] can be augmented with a variety of supplements, although the inclusion of [meso-zeanthin] may confer benefits in terms of panprofile augmentation and in terms of [contrast sensitivity] enhancement.”
Plant Compounds Support Eye Health
Carotenoids may augment macular pigment and improve contrast sensitivity.
Akuffo KO, Nolan JM, Howard AN, Moran R, Stack J, Klein R, Klein BE, Meuer SM, Sabour-Pickett S, Thurnham DI, Beatty S. “Sustained supplementation and monitored response with differing carotenoid formulations in early age-related macular degeneration.” Eye (Lond). 2015 Jul;29(7):902-12.
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