Lutein and zeaxanthin
Summary
Lutein and zeaxanthin collect in the macula. In AREDS2 (4,203 people at risk of advanced macular degeneration), adding 10 mg lutein and 2 mg zeaxanthin to the AREDS formula did not lower progression in the primary analysis, but they became the formula’s replacement for beta-carotene. Supplements reliably raise macular pigment.
Key facts
- Xanthophyll carotenoids found in leafy greens and egg yolk, concentrated in the macula[2]
- Adding 10 mg lutein + 2 mg zeaxanthin to the AREDS formula did not further lower progression in the primary analysis (4,203 people)[1]
- Supplementation raises macular pigment optical density in pooled trials[2]
- 10 mg lutein + 2 mg zeaxanthin in AREDS2[1]
- 1 graded human outcome on this page
- October 11, 2026
How it works
ProposedLutein and zeaxanthin filter blue light and act as antioxidants in the retina; macular pigment optical density is used as a marker of retinal levels.[2]
What the human research says
Human trials only, one row per outcome. The form column shows what each trial actually tested. Grades follow our evidence-grading policy.
| Outcome | Effect | Grade | Best evidence | PMID |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Progression to advanced age-related macular degeneration | No effect | No effect | RCT · n = 4,203 · 2013 Adults aged 50–85 at risk of advanced AMD Form: Lutein + zeaxanthin added to the AREDS formula · Dose: 10 mg lutein + 2 mg zeaxanthin per day · Duration: Median 5 years Adding lutein and zeaxanthin did not further reduce progression to advanced AMD in the primary analysis. | 23644932 (opens PubMed)Source [1] |
Forms
| Form | Elemental % | Absorption (human data) | GI tolerance | Studied for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free lutein or lutein esters with zeaxanthin | Varies | Raises macular pigment optical density in pooled trials; no head-to-head form comparison in the sources cited here.[2] | No form-specific tolerance data in the sources cited here. | AREDS2 and macular pigment trials |
Studied doses
Doses studied in human trials ranged from the 10 mg lutein plus 2 mg zeaxanthin per day given for a median of 5 years in AREDS2 to other amounts in shorter macular pigment trials.[1]
Interactions
Published interactions only: each row cites a source. No row means none was found in our sources, not that a combination is safe.
Other supplements
- Beta-caroteneRCTAREDS2 tested removing beta-carotene from the AREDS formula; lutein and zeaxanthin became its replacement.[1]
Who should be careful
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding
- The trials cited here enrolled older adults.[1]
Talk to your pharmacist or clinician before starting a supplement, especially if you take prescription medicines.
Where to buy Lutein and zeaxanthin
Products from brands we partner with that contain Lutein and zeaxanthin. Listing a product is not a claim that it works; check the amount per serving against the doses studied above, and the label for other ingredients.
- SupersmartPaid linkLutein1 capsule: 20 mg free lutein from marigold extract (no zeaxanthin listed; AREDS2 used 10 mg lutein with 2 mg zeaxanthin); 60 servingsShop at Supersmart (opens in new tab)Price and label checked 2026-10-11 on the brand’s site.
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Frequently asked questions
Do lutein and zeaxanthin protect eyesight?
In AREDS2 they did not further lower progression to advanced macular degeneration in the primary analysis.[1]
Why are they in the AREDS2 formula?
AREDS2 tested them as a replacement for beta-carotene in the eye-vitamin formula.[1]
Do supplements raise macular pigment?
Yes. Pooled trials found higher macular pigment optical density with supplementation.[2]
Do they help memory?
A 12-month trial in young adults tested this; evidence remains limited.[3]
Sources
- [1]Lutein + zeaxanthin and omega-3 fatty acids for age-related macular degeneration: the Age-Related Eye Disease Study 2 (AREDS2) randomized clinical trial.. JAMA, 2013. RCT
- [2]The Effect of Lutein/Zeaxanthin Intake on Human Macular Pigment Optical Density: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.. Adv Nutr, 2021. meta-analysis
- [3]Effects of a Lutein and Zeaxanthin Intervention on Cognitive Function: A Randomized, Double-Masked, Placebo-Controlled Trial of Younger Healthy Adults.. Nutrients, 2017. RCT
What changed
- First draft. Every PMID checked against NCBI E-utilities (title, journal and year taken from the PubMed record) and each evidence row written from its PubMed abstract.