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Luz9.0
Lutein + Zeaxanthin Research
Likely helpsHigh safety
38 peer-reviewed studies
What the evidence says
Likely helps
Lutein + Zeaxanthin appears to help in 13 of 14 studies with measurable effects — the evidence leans clearly favourable.
Most evidence is from high-quality meta-analyses and randomised trials published 2012–2026 with a typical study size of 1,176 participants.
Based on 38 studies · 17 meta-analyses · 10 RCTs · 522,636 total participants
Confidence
High
What the studies found
13helped1unclear· 24 more without graded effect data
By outcome
Vision & macular healthImproved macular pigment density and visual comfort within 3-6 months · 3-6 months
31 studies in the last 5 years · Latest meta-analysis: 2024
201220192026
1Progression to late AMDSystematic ReviewCited 45×n=2,445 · very large study2023
Moderate-certainty evidence suggests that antioxidant vitamin and mineral supplementation (AREDS: vitamin C, E, beta-carotene, and zinc) probably slows down progression to late AMD.
Evans JR et al. · The Cochrane database of systematic reviews (2023)
Large benefit
← WorseNo effectBetter →
These studies enroled 11,952 people aged 65 to 75 years and included slightly more women (on average 56% women).
People taking antioxidant vitamins were less likely to progress to late AMD (odds ratio (OR) 0.72, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.58 to 0.90; 3 studies, 2445 participants; moderate-certainty evidence).
Low-certainty evidence from one study of 110 people suggested higher quality of life scores (measured with the Visual Function Questionnaire) in treated compared with non-treated people after 24 months (mean difference (MD) 12.30, 95% CI 4.24 to 20.36).
2Progression to late AMDMeta-AnalysisCited 8×n=85,321 · very large study2022
Taking multivitamin supplementation may not prevent the development of late AMD.
Li SS et al. · Seminars in ophthalmology (2022)
Huge benefit
← WorseNo effectBetter →
In the network meta-analysis, we found that there was more risk of progression to late AMD in the multivitamin group than carotenoids and vitamin E groups (RR 0.45, 95% CI 0.32 to 0.65; RR 0.56, 95% CI 0.40 to 0.79; RR 0.42, 95% CI 0.26 to 0.67).
Taking multivitamin supplementation may not prevent the development of late AMD.
The nutrient of zinc and carotenoids (lutein/zeaxanthin) supplementation were associated with better improvement in VA.
3Macular pigment optical densityMeta-AnalysisCited 54×n=3,189 · very large study2021
Our objective was to determine a minimum concentration of lutein/zeaxanthin intake that is associated with a statistically significant and/or clinically important change in macular pigment optical ...
Wilson LM et al. · Advances in nutrition (Bethesda, Md.) (2021)
Noticeable benefit
← WorseNo effectBetter →
Our objective was to determine a minimum concentration of lutein/zeaxanthin intake that is associated with a statistically significant and/or clinically important change in macular pigment optical density (MPOD) among adults with healthy eyes.
We included 46 studies (N = 3189 participants; mean age = 43 y; 42% male).
There was no statistically significant change in MPOD among studies evaluating <5 mg/d of total lutein/zeaxanthin intake which primarily assessed dietary interventions for 3-6 mo (pooled mean difference, 0.02; 95% CI: -0.01 to 0.05).
4Dry eye syndrome symptomsSystematic ReviewCited 2×n=584 · large study2024
Lutein supplementation may benefit DED patients by improving symptoms and tear film stability.
Chu YC et al. · International journal for vitamin and nutrition research. Internationale Zeitschrift fur Vitamin- und Ernahrungsforschung. Journal international de vitaminologie et de nutrition (2024)
Improvements were observed in subjective symptoms, with significant reductions in Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) scores in some studies.
Schirmer's test and corneal-conjunctival staining results varied, with some showing significant improvements and others not.
Lutein supplementation may benefit DED patients by improving symptoms and tear film stability.
5Age-related macular degeneration progressionSystematic ReviewCited 31×n=2,021 · very large study2022
Acta Ophthalmologica published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Acta Ophthalmologica Scandinavica Foundation.
Pameijer EM et al. · Acta ophthalmologica (2022)
A high consumption of alcohol was associated with a higher risk of developing AMD (moderate certainty of evidence).
Supplementary vitamin C, vitamin E, or β-carotene were not associated with the development of AMD, and supplementary omega-3 fatty acids were not associated with progression to late AMD (high certainty of evidence).
Research in the last 35 years included in our overview supports that a high intake of specific nutrients, the use of antioxidant supplements and adherence to a Mediterranean diet decrease the risk of progression of early to late AMD.
6Coronary heart disease riskMeta-AnalysisCited 103×n=387,569 · very large study2016
Our findings suggest that higher dietary intake and higher blood concentrations of lutein are generally associated with better cardiometabolic health.
Leermakers ET et al. · The American journal of clinical nutrition (2016)
Noticeable benefit
← WorseNo effectBetter →
Meta-analysis showed a lower risk of coronary heart disease (pooled RR: 0.88; 95% CI: 0.80, 0.98) and stroke (pooled RR: 0.82; 95% CI: 0.72, 0.93) for the highest compared with the lowest tertile of lutein blood concentration or intake.
There was no significant association with type 2 diabetes mellitus (pooled RR: 0.97; 95% CI: 0.77, 1.22), but higher lutein was associated with a lower risk of metabolic syndrome (pooled RR: 0.75; 95% CI: 0.60, 0.92) for the highest compared with the lowest tertile.
Our findings suggest that higher dietary intake and higher blood concentrations of lutein are generally associated with better cardiometabolic health.
Khalighi Sikaroudi M et al. · Journal of the science of food and agriculture (2021)
Subgroup analyses showed that egg consumption: (a) had a larger effect on MPOD in studies with a parallel design; and (b) increased serum lutein to a greater extent in a healthy population.
We did not detect any heterogeneity between studies.
Daily egg consumption has beneficial effects on MPOD and serum lutein is inversely associated with reduced AMD progression.
9Photoprotective effectsSystematic ReviewCited 2×n=47 · small study2025
Future research is necessary to determine optimal dosing and supplementation duration for intended photoprotective outcomes.
Natarelli N et al. · Journal of medicinal food (2025)
The weakest evidence exists for photoprotective effects of isolated vitamin or coenzyme Q supplementation.
Dietary supplements may promote enhanced photoprotection, although current evidence is limited by small sample size and short duration.
Supplementation with photoprotective active ingredients may be especially favorable for individuals with predisposed ultraviolet sensitivity, such as those with polymorphic light eruption.
10Macular pigment optical densityMeta-AnalysisCited 8×n=38 · small study2024
Especially, the L + zeaxanthin + fatty acid combination was ranked best for macular pigment optical density (surface under the cumulative ranking: 99.3%) and second best for contrast sensitivity at...
Hu W et al. · Advances in nutrition (Bethesda, Md.) (2024)
Huge benefit
← WorseNo effectBetter →
Especially, the L + zeaxanthin + fatty acid combination was ranked best for macular pigment optical density (surface under the cumulative ranking: 99.3%) and second best for contrast sensitivity at low spatial frequency (67.7%).
Overall, antioxidant supplementation was estimated to improve eye health parameters, whereas different combinations of antioxidants may also have varying effects on improving visual health from multiple perspectives.
This study was registered at PROSPERO as CRD42022369250.
11Liver disease riskSystematic ReviewCited 3×n=30 · small study2024
However, for malignant diseases such as liver cancer, it did not show the significant effects of carotenoid supplementation.
Hu B et al. · Food & function (2024)
Noticeable benefit
← WorseNo effectBetter →
Likely real
Two reviewers independently scored the literature quality and extracted data, and the results were represented by the standard mean difference (SMD) with a 95% confidence interval.
Cochran Q statistics and I2 statistics were used to evaluate statistical heterogeneity (defined as significant when P < 0.05 or I2 > 50%).
However, no significant difference was observed between serum β-cryptoxanthin (SMD = 0.02, 95% CI (-0.41, 0.45), P = 0.92) and lutein/zeaxanthin (SMD = 0.62, 95% CI (-1.20, 2.45), P = 0.502).
13Visual outcomes from xanthophyll intakeMeta-AnalysisCited 11×2023
Intake of xanthophyll-rich food or supplements can improve eye health.
Hu W et al. · Nutrition reviews (2023)
Intake of xanthophyll-rich food or supplements can improve eye health.
Additional improvement in visual acuity was observed in patients with eye disease.
A positive association between MPOD and serum lutein level, while absent with dietary xanthophyll intake, suggests the importance of bioavailability when examining the effect of xanthophyll on eye health.
15IL-6 levelsMeta-AnalysisCited 44×n=26 · very small study2022
The overall results supported possible protective effects of carotenoids on inflammatory biomarkers.
Hajizadeh-Sharafabad F et al. · Critical reviews in food science and nutrition (2022)
Noticeable benefit
← WorseNo effectBetter →
Likely real
The random-effect model was used to analyze data and the overall effect size was computed as weighted mean difference (WMD) and corresponding 95% of confidence interval (CI).
A total of 26 trials with 35 effect sizes were included in this meta-analysis.
Also, only lycopene (WMD: ‒1.08 pg/ml, 95%CI: ‒2.03, ‒0.12, P = 0.027) led to a significant decrease in IL-6.
The data suggest that carotenoid vitamin therapy exerts synergic neuroprotective benefits and has the capacity to serve adjunctive therapy in the management of glaucoma.
Lem DW et al. · Nutrients (2021)
A comprehensive literature search was conducted in three databases (PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science) and 20 records were identified for screening.
Lutein demonstrated enhanced neuroprotection on retinal ganglion cell survival and preserved synaptic activity.
In clinical studies, a protective trend was seen with greater dietary consumption of carotenoids and risk of glaucoma, while greater carotenoid levels in macular pigment were largely associated with improved visual performance in glaucomatous eyes.
These findings provide a strong molecular basis and a line of evidence that suggests carotenoid vitamin therapy may offer enhanced neuroprotective effects with therapeutic potential to function as an adjunct nutraceutical strategy for management of diabetic retinopathy.
Lem DW et al. · Nutrients (2021)
Lutein and zeaxanthin demonstrated significant protection against capillary cell degeneration and hyperglycemia-induced changes in retinal vasculature.
Observational studies indicate that depletion of xanthophyll carotenoids in the macula may represent a novel feature of DR, specifically in patients with type 2 or poorly managed type 1 diabetes.
Meanwhile, early interventional trials with dietary carotenoid supplementation show promise in improving their levels in serum and macular pigments concomitant with benefits in visual performance.
Intraretinal levels of these carotenoids are inversely associated with the risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), and oral supplementation with these carotenoids can significantly reduce A...
Li B et al. · Methods in enzymology (2022)
Intraretinal levels of these carotenoids are inversely associated with the risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), and oral supplementation with these carotenoids can significantly reduce AMD risk.
We first introduce carotenoid extraction methods from the retina, retinal pigment epithelium (RPE)/choroid, serum, and liver of the human and animal models, such as mice and Japanese quails, as well as from algae, bacteria, and chicken egg yolks and cultured cells.
We then review macular carotenoid detection by spectroscopy and HPLC, while particularly introducing carotenoid separation via cyano columns, chiral columns, and C30 columns.
Dietary lutein and zeaxanthin intake increased MPOD in six of the seven clinical trials and significantly improved most of the cognitive functions studied.
García-Romera MC et al. · Physiology & behavior (2022)
Dietary lutein and zeaxanthin intake increased MPOD in six of the seven clinical trials and significantly improved most of the cognitive functions studied.
Brain activity also was related to MPOD, but the results were inconsistent.
Only four of the eleven observational studies were based on young people and all studies showed a significant relationship between MPOD and cognitive functions.
20All-cause mortality, coronary heart disease and stroke riskMeta-AnalysisCited 36×n=24 · very small study2021
Dose-response analyses revealed that, per 100 g/d GLV intake was associated with a decreased risk (ca. 25%) of all-cause mortality, coronary heart disease and stroke.
Li N et al. · Food chemistry (2021)
Large benefit
← WorseNo effectBetter →
Dose-response analyses revealed that, per 100 g/d GLV intake was associated with a decreased risk (ca. 25%) of all-cause mortality, coronary heart disease and stroke.
Dietary lutein intake was inversely associated with age-related macular degeneration, age-related cataracts, coronary heart disease, stroke, oesophageal cancer, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, metabolic syndrome, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
Caution was warranted for contamination with potentially pathogenic organisms, specifically Escherichia coli.