Zeaxanthin supplements and macular pigment in 20 trials
What it found
In people with and without age-related macular degeneration, taking lutein, zeaxanthin or meso-zeaxanthin raised macular pigment optical density compared with placebo.
The increase was larger with higher doses and with meso-zeaxanthin in the mix.
What they found
Studies in people
Macular pigment in AMD
In people with age-related macular degeneration, supplements raised macular pigment optical density by 0.07 ODU more than placebo. A longer supplement period gave a slightly bigger rise than a shorter one.
Macular pigment in healthy people
In healthy people, supplements raised macular pigment optical density by 0.09 ODU more than placebo. Doses above 10 mg a day gave a bigger rise than doses of 10 mg or less.
Meso-zeaxanthin in the mix
Supplements that included meso-zeaxanthin raised macular pigment more than those without it. Adding zeaxanthin to lutein did not give a bigger rise than lutein alone.
Dose and blood levels
Each extra 1 mg a day of these carotenoids was linked to a small rise in macular pigment. Higher blood levels of these carotenoids went along with higher macular pigment.
Starting macular pigment
People who started with lower macular pigment tended to gain more from supplements. This link was strong in healthy people and weaker in those with AMD.
What the authors conclude
“The present meta-analysis demonstrated significant benefits of lutein, zeaxanthin and meso-zeaxanthin supplementation on MPOD augmentation both in AMD patients and healthy subjects with a dose-response relationship.”
Also in their conclusions
- They conclude that lutein, zeaxanthin and meso-zeaxanthin supplements improve macular pigment optical density in both AMD patients and healthy people, with a dose-response relationship.
- They say the improvement was positively associated with the rise in blood xanthophyll carotenoid levels.
- They call for larger and longer randomised trials to test the effects on retinal structure and AMD progression.
How it was done
The authors wanted to settle whether these carotenoids reliably raise macular pigment, since earlier studies gave mixed results and the best dose and combination were unclear.
They pooled 20 randomised controlled trials that gave lutein, zeaxanthin or meso-zeaxanthin, or a placebo, to 938 people with age-related macular degeneration and 826 healthy people. Doses ranged from 0 to 20 mg a day and follow-up lasted 8 weeks to 2 years.
What it can’t tell you
- The trials measured macular pigment, not whether supplements prevent vision loss or slow AMD.
- Most trials lasted less than 12 months, so the longer-term effects are not known.
- The studies used different methods to measure macular pigment, which may affect the results.
Who paid
- Authors work at
- Xi'an Jiaotong University College of Medicine, China; Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, China; Xi'an Jiao tong University College of Medicine, China
The paper
- Title
- Lutein, Zeaxanthin and Meso-zeaxanthin Supplementation Associated with Macular Pigment Optical Density
- Type
- Meta-analysis
- Evidence
- Studies in people
- Summarised from
- Full text
- Cite
- Ma L, Liu R, Du JH, Liu T, Wu SS, Liu XH (2016). Lutein, Zeaxanthin and Meso-zeaxanthin Supplementation Associated with Macular Pigment Optical Density. Nutrients. doi:10.3390/nu8070426Free full textPubMed 27420092DOI
Summary written 26 Sep 2026. Check it against the paper before it changes what you eat. How we summarise papers · Report an error