Vision Supplements Review (with Lutein and Zeaxanthin)

Find the Best Vision Supplement. Tests and Reviews of Popular Vision Supplements.

Medically reviewed and edited by Tod Cooperman, M.D.

Last Updated : 11/29/2021 | Initially Posted: 10/18/2019Latest Update: Caution With Vitamin Supplements

Lutein, Zeaxanthin and Vision Supplements Tested by ConsumerLab.com

Table of Contents

Summary

· What are lutein and zeaxanthin? Lutein and zeaxanthin are anti-oxidant pigments found in the macula of the eye (in the retina) and are believed to protect the macula from damage (see What It Is).

· What are the health benefits of lutein and zeaxanthin? On average, people don't consume enough lutein and zeaxanthin in their diets and/or have low levels of lutein in their blood or low macular pigment density; for them, taking a lutein supplement may slow the progression of age-related macular degeneration (although it won't improve the condition) as well as reduce the risk of needing cataract surgery. It may also improve some aspects of brain function (See What It Does).

· How much lutein and zeaxanthin should I take? A dose of 10 mg of lutein appears to be better than a lower dose (6 mg). Higher dose products (e.g., 20 mg to 40 mg) are common, although it is not known if a higher dose is better. Nevertheless, 20 mg has been shown to be safe in a 6-month study.

· Which types of lutein and zeaxanthin are best? It's not clear whether the "free" or "ester" form, or a natural or synthetic source, is better and it is not clear if there is added benefit with zeaxanthin (see Forms of lutein).

· How much do lutein and zeaxanthin cost? Lutein and zeaxanthin at a reasonable dose (10 to 20 mg) can be obtained for as little as about 10 to 15 cents per day (see What CL Found).

· Other ingredients, particularly zinc and vitamin C, may provide additional benefit in slowing the progression of age-related macular degeneration (see AREDS). Formulas with these ingredients were also reviewed.

· What did CL's tests of lutein and zeaxanthin show? Our tests showed that most products contained the lutein and zeaxanthin they claimed to provide, but one product had only 50% of its listed zeaxanthin.

· Which lutein and zeaxanthin products are best? We chose three Top Picks among lutein and vision supplements based on value and clinical evidence.

· How to take lutein and zeaxanthin: To enhance absorption, it is best to take lutein and zeaxanthin supplements with a fatty meal, but be aware that consumption of certain foods and supplements may decrease absorption of lutein and zeaxanthin (see Concerns and Cautions). In addition, try to eat at least one orange per week and have fish at least once a week, as these are also associated with a reduced risk of AMD.

What It Is:

Lutein and zeaxanthin are members of the carotenoid family — a group of natural plant pigments that includes beta-carotene and lycopene. Lutein and zeaxanthin have identical chemical formulas and are isomers (they have slightly different molecular structures). They, along with a stereoisomer of zeaxanthin known as meso-zeaxanthin, are the only carotenoids found in high concentration in the macula of the eye and surrounding retinal tissue, where they may protect the eye from damaging light. Lutein and zeaxanthin are available from a wide variety of foods and it is believed that meso-zeaxanthin is synthesized in the retina from lutein. However, most adults in the U.S. consume less lutein and zeaxanthin than the amount believed to lower the risk of macular degeneration. Consequently, dietary supplements are often used to increase lutein and zeaxanthin levels.

What It Does:

The macula is an area within the retina of the eye that is responsible for conveying fine color images to the brain. The macula can degenerate with age, resulting in loss of vision. Age-related macular degeneration is the leading cause of blindness in the U.S. More than nine percent of people in the U.S. over age 40 show some form of macular degeneration and it affects 27% of adults 65 and older. It is believed that lutein and zeaxanthin, both of which are anti-oxidants, protect the macula by scavenging potentially damaging free radicals and absorbing certain high-energy light. Studies of populations generally show that people who get the most lutein and zeaxanthin from their diets tend to have lower rates of macular degeneration. One double blind, placebo controlled study (Richler Optometry 2004) showed that after one year of daily supplementation with 10 mg of lutein (or 10 mg of lutein plus a mixture antioxidants, vitamins and minerals) ocular pigment increased and vision improved in people with atrophic age-related macular degeneration. A subsequent study failed to find benefit with lutein, but it used a lower dose (6 mg daily) and involved fewer people (Bartlett Eur J Clin Nutr 2007).

Additional human studies suggest that among people with age-related macular degeneration, those with low blood levels of lutein may be more likely to benefit from taking lutein supplements. Even in people with healthy eyes, the density of macular pigment does not seem to increase with lutein/zeaxanthin supplementation unless the density was low to start. This was seen in a 6-month study in Japan using FloraGLO or XanMax (1 capsule daily, each containing approx. 10.5 mg lutein and 1 mg zeaxanthin). There was no increase in macular pigment density in most people in the study, except those with low density at the start (Obana, PLoS One, 2015). In a study among 120 men and women (average age 56) in France with a family history of age-related macular degeneration but normal macular pigment density and no other risk factors or signs of the disease, supplementation with a capsule containing lutein (5 mg), zeaxanthin (1 mg), vitamin C (90 mg), vitamin E (15 mg), zinc (7.5 mg), copper (<0.5 mg), and resveratrol (0.5 mg), as well as 33 mg of fish oil, taken twice daily for six months, did not increase macular pigment density compared to placebo (Korobelnik, JAMA Opthalmol 2017). The message: If macular pigment density is not low, lutein and zeaxanthin may not help.

Some research suggests that pigmentation may continue to improve over several years of supplementation. One clinical trial compared three different formulations in men and women with early age-related macular degeneration over a 3 year period: 20 mg of lutein plus 0.86 mg zeaxanthin (Ultra Lutein, Natural Organics, Inc.), 10 mg lutein plus 2 mg zeaxanthin and 10 mg meso-zeaxanthin (Macushield, Macuvision Europe Limited), and 3 mg lutein plus 2 mg zeaxanthin and 17 mg meso-zeaxanthin (not commercially available). The study found that all three formulas significantly increased macular pigmentation over the first year, with no further gain in the second year. However, during the third year, there were further increases in pigmentation among those who took formulas containing meso-zeaxanthin. Over the course of the 3 year study, vision remained stable (no improvement and no decline in vision) with each formula, and no progression to advanced macular degeneration occurred (Akuffo, Eye 2015).

In addition to lutein and zeaxanthin, other ingredients may improve macular degeneration. See the section Eye Health Supplements.

A preliminary study suggests that lutein may help treat retinitis pigmentosa (Bahrami BMC Ophthalmol 2006). Population studies also suggest a reduced risk of developing severe cataracts (clouding of the lens of the eye) in people consuming higher amounts of lutein in their diet. The AREDS 2 study found that supplementation with lutein and zeaxanthin did not have a benefit except in those with the very lowest dietary intakes of lutein and zeaxanthin — among this group, the number of people requiring cataract surgery was reduced by 32%. There is also preliminary research suggesting that lutein and zeaxanthin may help protect skin from sun damage. Increased lutein intake has also been associated with a lower risk of colon and breast cancer.

Lutein and zeaxanthin are also found in very small amounts in the brain and preliminary evidence suggests they may have a positive effect on brain functioning. A placebo-controlled clinical study found that when healthy young people (in Georgia, U.S.) took a daily supplement containing zeaxanthin (20 mg as Eye Promise Zeaxanthin from ZeaVision, Inc., which funded the study) or zeaxanthin in combination with lutein (26 mg and 8 mg, respectively, as EyePromise vizual EDGE), they showed an average 20% increase in the speed of a type of visual processing required to discriminate a light source as flickering versus steady. This type of visual processing is typically slowed by aging, and faster processing tends to be positively correlated with, for example, improved sports performance and driver safety, reading speed, and executive cognitive function (Bovier, Arch Biochem Biophys 2015). In addition, a placebo-controlled study in Ireland among healthy adults with low central macular pigment density (under 0.55 optical density units at 0.23 degrees of eccentricity, as determined by eye exam) found that taking a formulation of 10 mg of lutein, 10 mg of meso-zeaxanthin, and 2 mg of zeaxanthin daily for 12 months lead to improvements in episodic memory (e.g., remembering where you parked your car) (Power, J Alzheimers Dis 2018).

Another study in Georgia (funded by Omniactive, which sells Lutemax lutein) among a small group of healthy young college students suggested that lutein and zeaxanthin supplementation may reduce psychological stress. Supplementing with softgels providing 13 mg or 27 mg of a combination of lutein/zeaxanthin (83%/17%) modestly reduced psychological stress scores and levels of cortisol (a stress hormone), while placebo did not. The improvements were statistically significant for the high dose at 6 months, and for both high and low doses at 12 months. Blood samples indicated that the students had low consumption of lutein from their diets and, as expected, the supplements increased macular densities in students' eyes, which, the researchers speculated, might indicate increased levels of these compounds and an anti-oxidant effect in students' brains as well (Stringham, Nutri Neurosci 2017). As part of the same study, the researchers evaluated the participants' cognitive function during the first six months of the trial. They found that supplementation with either the 13 mg or 17 mg dose of the lutein/zeaxanthin combination improved overall memory performance, verbal memory, attention, speed of processing and psychomotor speed (i.e. reaction time and fine motor coordination) compared to placebo. In addition, blood levels of a protein that plays an important role in brain cell growth and cognitive function (brain-derived neurotrophic factor, or BDNF) increased and certain inflammatory proteins decreased in those who took lutein and zeaxanthin compared to placebo. However, findings based on the full 12 months of supplementation were not reported, which is disconcerting. The researchers indicated (in email correspondence with ConsumerLab) that this was because of "funding constraints." (Stringham, Physiol Behav 2019).

A study by the same researchers which was also funded by Omniactive suggested that daily supplementation with 24 mg of a combination of lutein, zeaxanthin and mesozeaxanthin (at a ratio of 83%:10%:7%, respectively) daily can benefit people who spend prolonged periods of time in front of computer, phone, or tablet screens. In the study, 35 healthy college-aged men and women (average age 21) were given the supplement daily for six months. Over that time, compared to a group which received a placebo, headaches were reduced by 35%, eye strain was reduced by 20%, and eye fatigue was reduced by 30%. Participants also reported 20% fewer sleep complaints (Stringham, Foods 2017).

There is preliminary evidence suggesting astaxanthin, another carotenoid, might help prevent eye fatigue and protect the lens of the eye against cataracts, as well as protect the stomach against ulcers, help with male infertility, and reduce risk of macular degeneration. However, more research is needed. Astaxanthin is naturally produced by a type of algae and, through the food chain, provides the pink coloration of salmon, trout, krill, shrimp and other crustaceans. (For more about astaxanthin see the Astaxanthin Supplements Review).

See ConsumerTips™ for information about ingredient forms, dosage, and safety issues.

Quality Concerns and Tests Performed:

No government agency is responsible for routinely testing lutein and zeaxanthin supplements for their contents or quality. ConsumerLab.com purchased and evaluated supplements to determine whether they contained the amounts of these compounds stated on their labels. Products containing whole herbs and/or more than 250 mg of minerals per daily serving were tested for potential contamination with lead, cadmium, and arsenic, and all non-chewable and non-timed release tablets also were tested to be sure that they would properly disintegrate. (See How Products Were Evaluated for information on testing methods and passing score.)

What CL Found:

Among the products selected by ConsumerLab.com, all but one were found to provide the amounts of lutein and zeaxanthin claimed on their labels: Doctor's Best Lutein with OptiLut was discovered to contain only 50% of its listed zeaxanthin — we found 1 mg per capsule, rather than 2 mg. It did, however, contain it's claimed 10 mg of lutein per capsule and its actual ratio of lutein to zeaxanthin is within the range found in other products.

All applicable tablet products disintegrated properly.

Choosing among the products:
Passing tests of quality is just one hurdle a product should overcome before you consider using it. Other questions to be answered are: Is the dose appropriate; how does it compare on price; and, if there are other ingredients, do they make the product more or less desirable?

As noted in the ConsumerTips™ section, a useful daily dosage of lutein for someone who does not get enough from their diet ranges from 6 mg to 10 mg and, possibly, up to 20 mg. If you already eat more than half a cup a day of green leafy vegetables, you can probably skip a supplement. If you get some greens but perhaps not enough, a supplement with at least 6 to 10 mg could help. If you don't eat green leafy vegetables, 10 mg would seem more appropriate and even 20 mg may be helpful and still safe.

Some products contain lutein as an "ester" and some as non-esterified "free" lutein -- either form is fine, and all products list the amounts of lutein from these forms, so that lutein amounts can be compared "apples-to-apples." The same holds true with zeaxanthin, which is available in a synthetic form that is also acceptable.

As shown in the graph below, all of the products provided at least 6 mg of lutein per suggested daily serving and some provided much more — up to 40 mg.

Lutein and Zeaxanthin Per Suggested Daily Serving

To help compare products on price and value, ConsumerLab.com calculated the cost to obtain 10 mg of lutein from each product. This ranged from 5 cents to 56 cents per 10 mg of lutein in most products, or as high as $1.21 in a formula containing bilberry extract and other ingredients. Trunature [Costco] Vision Complex Lutein & Zeaxanthin provided lutein at the lowest cost, with a 14 cent softgel providing 25 mg of lutein and 5 mg of zeaxanthin, working out to 5 cents per 10 mg of lutein (with 2 mg of zeaxanthin).

Cost for 10 mg of Lutein

Top Picks:

Lutein/zeaxanthin-only:
As noted earlier, studies tend to indicate that, if you need to supplement with lutein, a dose of 10 mg is appropriate. This is the amount in the AREDS formulas (discussed further below). If you want 10 mg of lutein without the full AREDS formula, among the products that we reviewed there were two that will provide this dose: Doctor's Best Lutein with OptiLut and MacuShield Original Formula. Our Top Pick for a 10 mg dose is Doctor's Best -- taking one capsule rather than the suggested two capsules. This is despite the fact that this product was "Not Approved" in testing because it contained only half the zeaxanthin claimed on its label (1 mg instead of 2 mg per capsule). However, each capsule, which we verified to provide 10 mg of lutein, costs only 10 cents, versus 56 cents for MacuShield, making Doctor's Best much more economical. MacuShield contains more zeaxanthin (2 mg per softgel plus 10 mg of meso-zeaxanthin), but it's not clear if this is clinically significant. (Note: We typically only consider "Approved" products as Top Picks but made an exception in this case in light of the large cost savings.)

If you want a lower dose of 6 mg, you can get this from Douglas Laboratories Lutein but you'll pay more — 27 cents per softgel. If for some reason you want a very large dose of lutein, Trunature [Costco] Vision Complex Lutein & Zeaxanthin provides 25 mg (and 5 mg of zeaxanthin) per softgel for just 14 cents, making it the least expensive source of lutein per gram among all the products. Be aware, however, that although it is called a vision complex, it does not contain the other ingredients found in products resembling the AREDS formulas.

Vision formulas:
Among vision formulas, it is helpful to judge products against what has been shown to work (or not) in two major studies focused on slowing the progression of age-related macular degeneration. These two studies, AREDS and AREDS2 (see discussion below) showed the following ingredients and doses to be helpful if taken daily:

· 21.8 mg of zinc, or 69.6 mg but with 1.6 mg of copper to offset reduced copper absorption caused by the zinc (the lower zinc dose may be just as effective and preferable to avoid side-effects of excess zinc)

· 452 mg of vitamin C

· 400 IU of vitamin E

· 10 mg of lutein and 2 mg of zeaxanthin, especially if you don't consume enough green leafy vegetables.

Beta-carotene, often listed as "vitamin A (as beta-carotene)" on labels, is not needed and should be avoided by current smokers and people who have been occupationally exposed to asbestos. You can also skip formulas with omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil as these provide no added eye health benefit. (Omega-3 fatty acids may be helpful, however, if you suffer from certain forms of dry eye).

Other ingredients, such as bilberry, were not included as part of the study and are unlikely to have additional benefit in age-related macular degeneration. (Preliminary research suggests that bilberry may improve retinal lesions in people with retinopathy related to diabetes or hypertension and it may provide a short-term improvement in night vision. More about bilberry supplements, including our ConsumerLab.com's tests of products, are found in the Bilberry Supplements Review).

The products that most closely resemble the ideal formula to slow the progression of age-related macular degeneration are Bausch & Lomb PreserVision Eye Vitamin & Mineral Supplement AREDS Lutein and Systane I-Caps. They are our Top Picks for vision formulas, although neither, in our opinion, is perfect.

On the positive side, both provide the correct amounts of lutein (10 mg) and zeaxanthin (2 mg) and sufficient vitamin C (452 mg in Bausch -- which is the exact AREDS amount -- and 500 mg in Systane).

Although Bausch is a more exact match to one of the AREDS formulas, it contains what has been shown to be an unnecessarily large amount of zinc (69.6 mg per day), which is over the established upper tolerable intake level of 40 mg and can increase the risk of copper deficiency (which can cause anemia, heart problems, difficulty with balance and other symptoms). Although its 2 mg of copper may help offset the reduction in copper absorption that can be caused by this much zinc, be aware that at least one case of copper deficiency with related symptoms has been reported with regular use of a Bausch's PreserVision AREDS 2 formula providing 80 mg of zinc per day along with 2 mg of copper.

Systane provides 25 mg of zinc per day (slightly more than then 21.8 mg in the ideal AREDS formula, but still below the upper limit) as well as 2 mg of copper. Unlike Bausch, which is softgels, Systane is a large chewable which, although it has a nice sweet, berry flavor, leaves a slight metallic after taste (from zinc), includes mannitol (a sugar alcohol that can cause some gassiness), and contributes about 20 Calories per day.

Of the two, Bausch is much less expensive: 37 cents per day for 2 softgels vs. 67 cents per day for 2 chewable tablets of Systane. Unless you have trouble swallowing softgels and prefer a chewable, Bausch is a better way to go although, ideally, we'd prefer that it contained less zinc.

Other formulas in this review which could be beneficial regarding age-related macular degeneration are:

· LifeExtension MacuGuard Ocular Support (31 cents per day) is essentially lutein (10 mg) and zeaxanthin (4 mg) with an antioxidant, cyanadin-3-glucoside (from black currant extract), which animal research suggests may have some benefit for night vision (Lee, Current Eye Res 2014).

· USANA Visionex ($1.21 per day) provides somewhat less zinc than the AREDS formula (10 mg per day), but provides a reasonable amount of vitamin C (500 mg), lutein (10 mg) and zeaxanthin (2 mg).

Although not tested in this review, here are descriptions of other marketed vision formula supplements:

· Bausch + Lomb Ocuvite Lutein & Zeaxanthin doesn't follow the AREDS formula, providing just 6 mg of lutein (but no zeaxanthin), 60 mg of vitamin C, 30 IU of vitamin E, and 15 mg of zinc, as well as 2 mg of copper.

· GNC Preventative Nutrition Eye Formula provides 100% of the DV of the AREDS ingredients, but adds 100% of the DV of vitamin A (50% as beta-carotene and 50% as retinol from fish liver oil) and 500 mg of vitamin C — an amount close to that in the AREDS formula, and twice the lutein (20 mg with 4 mg of zeaxanthin).

· Lipotriad Visionary contains AREDS ingredients, some in higher amounts, along with a modest amount of omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil — although the fatty acids may have no added benefit in terms of vision, according to the AREDS2 study.

· MacuHealth with LMZ³ provides 10 mg of lutein and 2 mg of zeaxanthin in each softgel, per the AREDS formula, and includes 10 mg of meso-zeaxanthin. However, it does not include other ingredients from the AREDS formula: zinc (and copper), vitamin C, and vitamin E and it is more expensive than most other products at 89 cents per 10 mg of lutein.

· Ortho Molecular Products 4Sight provides 30 mg of lutein and 1.5 mg of zeaxanthin per day as well as zinc (15 mg) but also several other ingredients, such as Gingko biloba, which do not seem to have strong evidence of vision benefit.

· TwinLab OcuGard Plus (74 cents per day) provides relevant ingredients, including 25 mg of zinc per day and 20 mg of lutein. However, it provides a much higher amount of vitamin C — 1,500 mg per day than the AREDS formulas. You may not want to take this much vitamin C, as some research suggests that high-dose vitamin C may increase the risk of cataracts.

· Nutrilite Vision Health with Lutein provides 10 mg of lutein per day, as well as bilberry, spinach concentrate, and 50 mg of black currant extract. (A preliminary study of black currant extract suggested possible benefit with 50 mg in visual fatigue due to computer monitors -- (Nakaishi, Altern Med Rev, 2000).

Test Results by Product:

Listed alphabetically below are the test results for 13 supplements containing lutein. Some also contain zeaxanthin and/or meso-zeaxanthin and some are formulas with other ingredients of potential relevance to vision. Eight were selected by ConsumerLab.com and five others (each indicated with a CL flask icon) are included for having passed the same evaluation through ConsumerLab.com's voluntary Quality Certification Program.

Products listed as "Approved" contained their listed amounts of lutein and zeaxanthin and met ConsumerLab.com's quality standards (See Passing Score).The full list of ingredients in each product is provided in the last column.

Results of ConsumerLab.com Testing of LUTEIN, ZEAXANTHIN & VISION SUPPLEMENTS

(Click arrows or swipe left or right to see all columns)

Approval Statusⓘ

Product Name

Claimed Amount of Lutein and Zeaxanthin Per Daily Servingⓘ

Suggested Daily Serving on Label

Pill Sizeⓘ

Cost for Suggested Daily Serving

[Price per 10 mg Lutein]

Price

Additional "Vision" Ingredients

Other Notable Features

Full List of Ingredients Per Daily Serving

Lutein & Zeaxanthin:

NOT APPROVED

Top Pick

for lutein
(See explanation)

Doctor's Best® Lutein with OptiLut®

Dist. by Doctor's Best, Inc.

2 veggie caps

20 mg lutein from esters (OptiLut®)
✔

4 mg zeaxanthin (OptiLut®)
Found only 2 mg zeaxanthin per serving (50% of listed amount)

Take 2 capsules daily with or without food, or as recommended by a nutritionally-informed physician.

Large veggie cap

$0.20

[$0.10]

$12.11/120 veggie caps

Vegan. Non-GMO. Gluten Free. Soy Free.

2 veggie caps
Lutein (from OptiLut® Lutein Esters extracted from marigold flower (Tagetes erecta)) 20 mg, Zeaxanthin (from OptiLut® marigold flower ext., (Tagetes erecta)) 4 mg.

Other Ingredients: Microcrystalline cellulose, more...

APPROVED

Douglas Laboratories® Lutein

Mfd. by Douglas Laboratories

1 softgel

6 mg lutein
✔

0.3 mg zeaxanthin
✔

As a dietary supplement, adults take 1 to 2 softgels, or as directed by your healthcare professional.

Medium softgel

For 1 softgel
$0.27

[$0.45]

$24.40/90 softgels

None.

1 softgel
Vitamin E (as d-alpha-tocopherol) 1 IU, Lutein 6 mg, Zeaxanthin 300 mcg.

Other Ingredients: Safflower Oil, gelatin (capsule), glycerin, and water.

APPROVED

GNC Lutein 40 mg

Dist. by General Nutrition Corporation

1 softgel

40 mg lutein
✔

1 mg zeaxanthin
✔

As a dietary supplement, take one softgel capsule daily.

Medium/large softgel

$0.58

[$0.15]

$34.99/60 softgels

No Sugar, No Starch, No Artificial Flavors, No Preservatives, Sodium Free, No Wheat, Gluten Free, No Corn, No Dairy, Yeast Free.

1 softgel
Calories 5, Total Fat 0.5 g, Lutein 40 mg, Zeaxanthin 1 mg.

Other Ingredients: Soybean Oil, Gelatin, Safflower Oil, Glycerin, Yellow Beeswax, Soy Lecithin, Carmine (Color), Titanium Dioxide (Mineral Whitener).

APPROVED

Healthy Origins® Natural Luteinⓘ

Dist. by Healthy Origins®

1 veggie softgel

20 mg lutein (Lutemax® 2020)
✔

4 mg zeaxanthin (Lutemax® 2020)
✔

Adults: Take one (1) veggie softgel daily, or as recommended by a health care professional.

Medium veggie softgel

$0.13

[$0.06]

$22.99/180 veggie softgels

Does not contain Gluten, Milk, Eggs, Fish, Shellfish, Peanuts, Wheat or Soy, No Preservatives or Artificial Flavors. Soy Free. Non-GMO.

1 veggie softgel
Lutein (from Lutemax® 2020 marigold flower extract) 20 mg, Zeaxanthin Isomers (from Lutemax® 2020 marigold flower extract) 4 mg.

Other Ingredients: Vegetarian Softgel, more...

APPROVED

MacuShield® Original Formula

Dist. by Alliance Pharmaceuticals Limited

1 softgel

10 mg lutein
✔

2 mg zeaxanthin
✔

10 mg meso-zeaxanthin
(unable to test for this)

Take one softgel capsule daily with a meal.

Medium/large softgel

$0.56

[$0.56]

$201.90/4 bottle of 90 softgels (360 softgels total)

None.

1 softgel
Marigold extract [Providing: Meso-zeaxanthin 10 mg, Lutein 10 mg, Zeaxanthin 2 mg] 157 mg.

Bulking agent: Sunflower seed oil, capsule shell (gelling agent: bovine gelatin, humectant: glycerol, colour: red iron oxide E172), more...

APPROVED

Natures Plus Ultra Maximum Strength Lutein®

Dist. by Nature's Plus

$ Price Check

1 softgel

20 mg lutein
✔

0.86 mg zeaxanthin
✔

As a dietary supplement, one softgel daily.

Medium/large softgel

$0.54

[$0.27]

$32.43/60 softgels

Gluten Free. Free from artificial colors and preservatives.

1 softgel
Lutein (active carotenoid from marigold flower extract) 20 mg, Zeaxanthin (active carotenoid from marigold flower extract) 860 mcg.

Other Ingredients: Gelatin, soybean oil, glycerin, beeswax, lecithin, purified water and natural color.

APPROVED

Puritan's Pride® Lutigold™ Lutein 20 mg

Mfd. by Puritan's Pride, Inc.

1 softgel

20 mg lutein (Lutigold™)
✔

0.8 mg zeaxanthin (Lutigold™)
✔

For adults, take one (1) softgel daily, preferably with a meal.

Medium softgel

$0.29

[$0.15]

$34.99/120 softgels

No Artificial Color, Flavor or Sweetener, No Preservatives, No Sugar, No Starch, No Milk, No Lactose, No Soy, No Gluten, No Wheat, No Yeast, No Fish, Sodium Free.

1 softgel
Lutigold™ Lutein (Contains Zeaxanthin, 800 mcg) 20 mg.

Other Ingredients: Safflower Oil, Gelatin, Vegetable Glycerin, Yellow Beeswax.

APPROVED

Solgar® Lutein 40 mg

Dist. by Solgar, Inc.

$ Price Check

1 softgel

40 mg lutein (FloraGLO®)
✔

2 mg zeaxanthin (FloraGLO®)
✔

As a dietary supplement for adults, take one (1) softgel daily, at mealtime, or as directed by a healthcare practitioner.

Medium/large softgel

$0.66

[$0.17]

$19.87/30 softgels

Free Of: Gluten, Wheat, Dairy, Yeast, Sugar, Sodium, Artificial Flavor, Sweetener, Preservatives and Color.

1 softgel
Lutein (FloraGLO®) (supplies zeaxanthin, 2 mg) 40 mg.

Other Ingredients: Safflower Oil, Gelatin, Vegetable Glycerin, Yellow Beeswax, Soy Lecithin.

APPROVED

Trunature® [Costco] Vision Complex Lutein & Zeaxanthin

Dist. by Costco Wholesale Corporation

1 softgel

25 mg lutein (Lutemax® 2020 Ultra)
✔

5 mg zeaxanthin
✔

Adults - One softgel daily with food as a dietary supplement.

Medium softgel

$0.14

[$0.05]
Lowest cost for lutein

$18.99/140 softgels

No Gluten. No Lactose. No Artificial Colors Or Flavors.

Precaution: Contains: Soy.

1 softgel
Lutein (Lutemax® 2020 Ultra) 25 mg, Zeaxanthin Isomers 5 mg.

Other Ingredients: Soybean Oil, Mixed Natural Tocopherols, Gelatin, Glycerin, Purified Water USP, Sorbitol. Contains 2% or less of annatto oil, mannitol, sorbitan.

Lutein/Zeaxanthin Plus Other Ingredients:

APPROVED

Top Pick

for vision formula

Bausch + Lomb PreserVision®

Dist. by Bausch & Lomb Incorporated

$ Price Check

2 softgels

10 mg lutein
✔

Found:
0.9 mg zeaxanthin

Take 2 soft gels daily; 1 in the morning, 1 in the evening with a full glass of water and during meals.

Medium/large softgel

$0.37

[$0.37]

$21.94/120 softgel

Vitamin C (452 mg)

Vitamin E (400 IU)

Zinc (69.6 mg)^>UL

Copper (1.6 mg)

This product is Vitamin A (beta-carotene) free.

2 softgels
Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) 452 mg, Vitamin E (dl-alpha tocopheryl acetate) 400 IU, Zinc (zinc oxide) 69.6 mg, Copper (Cupric oxide) 1.6 mg, Lutein 10 mg

Other Ingredients: Gelatin, Glycerin, Soybean Oil, Soy Lecithin, more...

APPROVED

Life Extension® MacuGuard®

Dist. by Quality Supplements and Vitamins, Inc.

$ Price Check

1 softgel

10 mg free lutein (MacuGuard®)
✔

4 mg zeaxanthin (MacuGuard®)
✔

Take one (1) softgel daily, with food, or as recommended by a healthcare practitioner.

Medium/large softgel

$0.31

[$0.31]

$18.75/60 softgels

Mixed carotenoids (1.24 mg)

Saffron extract (20 mg)

C3G (2.2 mg)

Non-GMO.

1 softgel
MacuGuard® proprietary blend [Phospholipids, marigold extract (flower) [providing 10 mg free lutein, 4 mg meso-zeaxanthin & trans-zeaxanthin], mixed carotenoids [providing 1.24 mg α-carotene]] 173 mg, Saffron extract (stigma) 20 mg, more...

APPROVED

Top Pick

for vision supplement

Systane® I-Caps® Chewable - Berry Flavor

Dist. by Alcon Laboratories, Inc.

2 chewable tablets

10 mg lutein
✔

2 mg zeaxanthin
✔

2 chewable tablets per day with a meal or as directed by your physician.

Medium/large circular chewable tablets

$0.67

[$0.67]

$40.19/2 bottle of 60 chewable tablets (120 chewable tablets total)

Vitamin C (500 mg)

Vitamin E (400 IU)

Zinc (25 mg)

Copper (2 mg)

Precaution: Contains: Milk, Fish (cod, pollack, haddock, hake, cusk, redfish, sole, flounder).

2 chewable tablets
Calories 20, Calories from Fat 5, Total Carbohydrates 4 g, Sugars 2 g, Vitamin C (as Ascorbic acid and Sodium ascorbate) 500 mg, Vitamin E (d-alpha tocopheryl acetate) 400 IU, Zinc (as Zinc oxide) 25 mg, Copper (as Copper citrate) 2 mg, Lutein 10 mg, Zeaxanthin 2 mg, more...

APPROVED

USANA® Visionex®

Mfd. by USANA Health Sciences, Inc.

2 tablets

10 mg lutein
✔

2 mg zeaxanthin
✔

Also tested for disintegrationⓘ

Adults, take two (2) tablets daily, preferably with food.

Large tablet

$1.21

[$1.21]

$33.95/56 tablets

Vitamin C (500 mg)

Zinc (10 mg)

Bilberry Extract (50 mg)

Precaution: Contains: Soy.

2 tablets
Vitamin C (as Poly C® Blend: Potassium, Calcium, Magnesium, and Zinc Ascorbates) 500 mg, Zinc (as Zinc Citrate) 10 mg, Lutein 10 mg, Zeaxanthin 2 mg, Bilberry Extract (Vaccinium myrtillus L., fruit) 50 mg, more...

Unless otherwise noted, information about the products listed above is based on the samples purchased by ConsumerLab.com (CL) for this Product Review. Manufacturers may change ingredients and label information at any time, so be sure to check labels carefully when evaluating the products you use or buy. If a product's ingredients differ from what is listed above, it may not necessarily be of the same quality as what was tested.

The information contained in this report is based on the compilation and review of information from product labeling and analytic testing. CL applies what it believes to be the most appropriate testing methods and standards. The information in this report does not reflect the opinion or recommendation of CL, its officers or employees. CL cannot assure the accuracy of information.

ConsumerTips™:

Getting lutein and zeaxanthin from food:
There is no government recommended daily intake for lutein or zeaxanthin. Population studies suggest a reduced risk of both age-related macular degeneration and cataract formation in people who get about 6 mg per day of these compounds from foods. It is estimated that the average U.S. adult consumes a total of only 2 to 4 mg per day of lutein and zeaxanthin from foods.

It is possible to get from food the amount of lutein and zeaxanthin associated with a decreased risk of macular degeneration and cataract formation. As little as a half-cup of cooked kale, Swiss chard, spinach, or collard greens will provide 6 mg or more of lutein and zeaxanthin, as they are among the richest food sources. Other foods with fairly high amounts of lutein and/or zeaxanthin are corn, celery, kiwi fruit, endive, grapes, zucchini, and broccoli. Even iceberg lettuce and green peas will contribute these anti-oxidants to your diet. Specially produced eggs, from chickens fed marigold petals, may also provide high levels of lutein.

Most foods contain more lutein than zeaxanthin, but pepper, oranges and orange juice typically contain more zeaxanthin than lutein. Interestingly, oranges and orange juice also provide high amounts of flavonols (a type of flavonoid) and may be particularly useful in preventing age-related macular degeneration. A 15-year study in Australia found that adults aged 50 years and over who consumed at least one orange (100 grams of edible fruit) per week had 58% reduced odds of developing AMD compared to those who did not consume oranges; consuming one orange per day had about the same effect but only with regard to reducing the risk of late-stage AMD, and consuming orange juice daily (versus no orange juice) only significantly reduced the risk of early stage AMD. There were no significant benefits regarding AMD associated with consumption of tea, red wine, or beer, which are also high in flavonoids (Gopinath, Am J Clin Nutr 2018). The bottom line: Try to eat at least one orange per week. Also, try to have fish at least once a week, as this is also associated with a reduced risk of AMD.

For an extensive listing of the amounts of lutein and zeaxanthin in foods, see the USDA National Nutrient Database.

Getting lutein and zeaxanthin from supplements:
Based on population studies, supplements were often designed in the past to provide 6 mg of lutein. But more recent research specifically using supplements showed that 10 mg of lutein appears to be an effective dose for improving vision in people with atrophic age-related macular degeneration — although it does not seem to prevent disease progression. Consequently, some products now provide 10 mg of lutein, along with lesser amounts of zeaxanthin.

Some promotional literature on the Internet suggests that a higher (20 mg) dosage should be taken by people with advanced macular degeneration. There is no evidence yet to support this recommendation, although it is known that larger doses do increase levels of these anti-oxidants in the blood. Research from the National Eye Institute using supplements containing free form lutein (see "Forms of Lutein: Free vs. Ester" below) show that normal adult blood serum levels of lutein double with a daily dose of just 2.5 mg, almost triple with 5 mg, and quadruple with a daily dose of 10 mg. This would suggest, however, a diminishing return with even higher doses. Nevertheless, a six-week study using 20 mg of lutein in people suffering from retinitis pigmentosa, another sight—robbing condition, experienced improvements in their vision (Bahrami 2006).

Be aware that some manufacturers sell supplements providing very small amounts of lutein — often just a fraction of milligram — sometimes as part of a larger formula. The multivitamin Centrum Silver, for example, provides just 0.25 mg (250 mcg) of lutein. While this allows the product to promote lutein as an ingredient, it is questionable whether such a small dose provides health benefit.

If you already get a high amount of lutein from your diet, evidence suggests that you may not get additional benefit from supplements.

Lutein and zeaxanthin are best absorbed when taken with fats or oils. Consequently, it is generally recommended to take lutein supplements with meals -- preferably high-fat rather than low-fat meals. However, be aware that large amounts of minerals can make carotenoids like lutein and zeaxanthin less bioavailable. This is likely due to a reaction between the carotenoid and the divalent ions of minerals such as calcium and magnesium (Corte-Real, Food Chem 2016; Biehler, J Nutr 2011). Therefore, it is best to take lycopene or any carotenoid supplement at a different time of day than a supplement or meal containing large amounts (hundreds of milligrams) of a mineral.

When using supplements, lutein levels in the blood rise over time, peaking at 3 months. Once stopped, blood levels fall over a period of months and return to normal in about six months.

Lutein in supplements comes as either lutein "esters" (such as the trademarked XANGOLD lutein) or the non-esterified "free" form of lutein (such as the trademarked FloraGLO lutein). The LutiGold brand contains lutein (form not listed; however ConsumerLab.com was informed by maker, NBTY, that it is non-esterified), along with a small amount of zeaxanthin (800 mcg per 20 mg of lutein). Lutein and zeaxanthin found in green vegetables, fruits and egg yolk exist in the free form. Much of the lutein in supplements is extracted from marigold petals, which naturally contain lutein in the esterified form, although this can be converted to the free form through a process called saponification. Both forms are equally well absorbed by the body. The capsule size of various brands of lutein may differ, even when they provide the same amount of lutein, depending on the amounts of other ingredients they contain, including inactive ingredients such as oils. Products often combine lutein and zeaxanthin with omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin E, Zinc and other ingredients that have been used the AGE-Related Eye Disease study (see "Vision Formulas Used in AREDS Studies," below), resulting in a larger pill or capsule.

Lutein may have an odor --- described by some as similar to vase water in which flowers have remained too long. This is a result of the extraction and concentration of lutein esters from marigold flowers which, themselves, can have a rough odor. This odor is normal and may be particularly strong in products containing higher amounts of lutein, such as 20 mg. The odor tends to be greater with esterified lutein than with free form lutein. The odor may be reduced by formulating the lutein within materials such as microencapsulated beadlets.

A bioavailability study comparing equivalent amounts of free lutein given as FloraGLO (a starch-based beadlet formula) or Lyc-O-Lutein (an alginate-based beadlet formula) found a much greater increase in lutein levels in the body with FloraGLO (Evans, Eur J Nutr 2012). At 14 hours after administration, plasma lutein levels increased by 126% with FloraGLO compared to 7% with Lyc-O-Lutein. (FloraGLO is found in the Solgar product in this Review.)

Synthetic zeaxanthin:
Most zeaxanthin is derived from plants, but, a synthetic form has become available in supplements in recent years. An analysis of the safety of this form was recently performed by the European Food Safety Authority. It concluded that synthetic form is safe and that a daily dose up to 53 mg does not raise safety concerns (EFSA Journal 2012).

Saffron
Saffron, derived from the stigma of the crocus flower (Crocus sativus), contains antioxidant carotenoids, such as crocin and crocetin, and other compounds, such as safranal, which are thought to be responsible for some its beneficial effects.

Saffron is sometimes added as an ingredient in vision supplements — although it was not part of the AREDS formulas discussed below and is not an ingredient in any products in this Review. Several small studies by a group of researchers in Italy suggest 20 mg of saffron taken daily for 3 months to one year can modestly improve retinal sensitivity to light and visual acuity in men and women with early age-related macular degeneration, although only one of these studies had a placebo control (Falsini, Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2010; Piccardi, Evid Based Complement Alternat Med 2012; Marangoni, J Transl Med 2013). A study among 100 men and women (average age 74) in Australia with mild to moderate age-related macular degeneration (most of whom were already taking AREDS-based supplements, and half of whom were taking lutein and/or zeaxanthin) found that a capsule containing 20 mg of saffron taken once daily with a meal for three months modestly improved visual acuity compared to placebo. (AREDS supplements were defined as those containing zinc, copper, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, but not beta-carotene or lutein-zeaxanthin) (Broadhead, Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol 2019).

Standardized saffron extracts such as Satiereal (standardized to 0.3% safranal) have been studied and promoted for other uses, such as appetite control (Gout, Nutr Res 2010).

SPECIAL SECTION: Vision Formulas Used in AREDS Studies:
AREDS: A large study known as AREDS (Age-Related Eye Disease Study) evaluated the effects of a combination of supplements on eye health. This study did not evaluate lutein or zeaxanthin. It evaluated the effect of taking zinc by itself or taking a combination of vitamin C, vitamin E, beta-carotene, and zinc. The study found that zinc alone or the combination of zinc with vitamin C, E and beta-carotene can slow the progression of age-related macular degeneration when taken on a daily basis. The supplements reduced the risk of progressing to advanced age-related macular degeneration by 25% over a period of 5 years compared to a placebo.

The tablets used in AREDS were manufactured to contain the following minimum contents throughout their shelf-life: 7,160 IU of vitamin A (from beta carotene), 113 mg of vitamin C (ascorbic acid), 100 IU of vitamin E (dl-alpha tocopheryl acetate), 17.4 mg of zinc (zinc oxide), and 0.4 mg of copper (cupric oxide). It's important to note that the reason for copper in this formula is not to promote eye health, but to prevent copper deficiency due to the high amount of zinc in the formula -- zinc can reduce copper absorption (see Concerns and Cautions below).

Four tablets were taken daily, providing a total of 28,640 IU of vitamin A (from beta-carotene), 452 mg of vitamin C, 400 IU of vitamin E, 69.6 mg of zinc, and 1.6 mg of copper. [NOTE: Some articles about the AREDS report suggest that the supplement used contained slightly higher amounts of ingredients, such as 80 mg of zinc per day, but the actual specifications for the product are those described above. The higher numbers include the non-active salt portion of each ingredient, which is not typically included in product labeling. For example, 80 mg of "zinc oxide" actually provides 69.6 mg of active zinc.]

AREDS 2: In May 2013, results from the AREDS2 (Age-Related Eye Disease Study 2) study were published. This study was similar to the first AREDS trial, but sought to test variations of the original supplement formula. Researchers evaluated the original AREDS formula and added either 10 mg lutein and 2 mg zeaxanthin, 350 mg DHA and 650 mg EPA, or the combination of lutein+zeaxanthin and DHA+EPA.

In addition, some people in the study received the original AREDS formulation, but with some slight modifications. One group received a version with a lower dose of zinc - 21.8 mg of zinc (25 mg zinc oxide) instead of the original 69.6 mg (80 mg zinc oxide). Another group received a version without beta-carotene. And a third group received AREDS with the lower zinc dose and no beta-carotene.

The findings of AREDS2 show that:

· Adding lutein and zeaxanthin to the original AREDS formulation provided no additional benefit overall; however, in people with very low dietary intake of lutein and zeaxanthin the addition of these ingredients reduced the risk of disease progression by about 36% compared to the original AREDS formulation.

· The addition of omega-3 fatty acids (from fish oil) provided no additional benefit. (And a separate, large, five-year placebo trial also found no benefit with the combination of fish oil and vitamin D supplementation (Christen, JAMA Ophthalmol 2020). (See the Fish Oil Supplements Review for details).

· Adding the combination of lutein and zeaxanthin plus omega-3 fatty acids provided no additional benefit.

· Substituting lutein plus zeaxanthin for beta-carotene in the original AREDS formulation might offer additional benefits. An exploratory analysis of study data suggests that using lutein plus zeaxanthin instead of beta-carotene reduced the risk of disease progression by about 18%.

· Using the lower dose of zinc (21.8 mg) in the AREDS2 formulation was just as effective as the higher dose of zinc (69.6 mg) used in the original AREDS formulation.

· Removing beta-carotene from the original AREDS formulation also did not impact the risk of disease progression. This is good news for smokers and former smokers since beta-carotene can increase the risk of lung cancer, strokes and death from heart disease in these groups.

Genetic testing to determine use of the AREDS formula?
As part of the AREDS study, DNA samples were obtained which were later analyzed for specific polymorphisms (i.e., genetic variations) associated with a higher risk of developing AMD. It was found that people with the "risk" version of polymorphism CFH Y402H did not benefit from the AREDS formula; only those with the "nonrisk" version benefitted. In contrast, those with the "risk" version of ARMS2 A69S benefitted from the supplement (Seddon, Br J Opthalmol 2016). However, these associations do not prove that these genetic tests will result in a better outcome with regard to the use of the AREDS formula or other nutritional supplements. AMD is a genetically complex disorder and, according to recommendations of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, until it can be proven that genetic tests benefit people with AMD, it is premature to order routine genetic testing for AMD (AAO Task Force on Genetic Testing, 2014).

Concerns and Cautions:

As discussed above, some vision formulas contain higher doses of zinc than necessary -- amounts that exceed the established upper tolerable intake level (UL) of 40 mg per day and can inhibit the absorption of copper. The combination of excess zinc and copper depletion can cause changes in blood cell counts, dangerously suppress the immune system and also cause anemia, heart problems, difficulty with balance and walking, and changes in mood and cognition. Although some vision formulas include small doses of copper to help prevent this, it may not be sufficient to prevent copper deficiency in some people. For example, an 81-year-old woman who had taken a macular degeneration formula containing 80 mg of zinc and 2 mg of copper per recommended daily serving (PreserVision AREDS 2) for several years or more was found to have copper deficiency and high blood levels of zinc, resulting in anemia and low white blood cell and platelet counts that resolved two weeks after she stopped taking the vision supplement and was given 8 mg of copper daily (Wahab, J Community Hosp Intern Med Perspect 2021). (For more information about excess zinc and copper deficiency, see the "Concerns and Cautions" section of the Zinc Supplements and Lozenges Review).

Lutein supplementation appears to be safe at a dose of 10 mg. A six-month study using 20 mg of lutein also showed no safety problems (Bahrami 2006). However, a study based on subject's memory of the previous 10 years suggests that long term use of supplementation with lutein as well as vitamin A (from beta-carotene or retinol) was associated with an increased risk of lung cancer (Satia 2009). Long-term use should not be recommended for lung cancer prevention, particularly among smokers.

Simultaneous consumption of the fat substitute olestra, found in fat-free chips, may decrease the absorption of lutein and zeaxanthin. Beta-carotene from food and supplements may also decrease the absorption of lutein, zeaxanthin, and astaxanthin.

To further assist consumers, ConsumerLab.com licenses its flask-shaped CL Seal of Approved Quality (see The CL Seal) to manufacturers for use on labels of products that have passed its testing. ConsumerLab.com will periodically re-evaluate these products to ensure their compliance with ConsumerLab.com's standards.

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Information on this site is provided for informational purposes only. It is not an endorsement of any product nor is it meant to substitute for the advice provided by physicians or other healthcare professionals. The information contained herein should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease. Consumers should inform their healthcare providers of the dietary supplements they take.

Latest Clinical Research Updates for Vision Supplements with Lutein and Zeaxanthin

Caution With Vitamin Supplements

11/30/2021

A woman who, for years, had taken a popular vision supplement developed anemia and low white blood cell and platelet counts. What was the connection? Find out in the Concerns and Cautions section of our Vision Supplements Review. Also see our Top Picks among vision supplements.

Better Memory With Lutein?

10/05/2019

Lutein is often taken as a supplement to slow the progression of age-related macular degeneration. However, a study in college students suggests that supplementation with lutein may also improve aspects of memory and cognitive functioning. For details, see the What It Does section of our Vision Supplements Review.

Saffron for Vision

4/30/2019

Saffron, which contains carotenoids, may improve visual acuity in people with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) according to a recent study. For details, see the ConsumerTips section of the Vision Supplements Review. Also see which vision supplements most closely resemble the ideal formula to slow the progression of AMD.

Fruit for the Eyes

7/13/2018

Can consuming certain foods or beverages reduce the risk of developing age-related macular degeneration (AMD) — a common eye disease? Yes, according to a recent study. Get the details in the food section of the Vision Supplements Review. (Also see our Top Rated vision supplements.)

Lutein and Zeaxanthin Improve Memory

1/16/2018

Lutein and zeaxanthin may help to slow the progression of age-related macular degeneration in people with low blood levels of lutein. A new study suggests these compounds may have another benefit -- improving memory in some people. Get the details in the "What It Does" section of the Vision Supplements Review >> (Also see our top choices among products.)