Lutein, zeaxanthin and meso-zeaxanthin lowered inflammation markers in people
What it found
In a six-month trial in people, a daily supplement of lutein, zeaxanthin and meso-zeaxanthin raised blood levels of these carotenoids and lowered two inflammatory cytokines and oxidized LDL.
The authors say this suggests the carotenoids act throughout the body to reduce oxidation and inflammation.
What they found
Studies in people
Carotenoid blood levels
Compared with placebo, the active group had significant increases in blood levels of lutein, zeaxanthin and meso-zeaxanthin over the 6 months.
Inflammatory cytokines
The active group had reductions in IL-1β and TNF-α compared with placebo. There was no mention of a change in IL-6.
Oxidized LDL
The active group also had a reduction in oxidized LDL in the blood compared with placebo.
What the authors conclude
“Our data show that L, Z, & MZ supplementation results in decreased serum IL-1β, TNF-α, and OxLDL.”
Also in their conclusions
- They say their data show that lutein, zeaxanthin and meso-zeaxanthin supplementation results in decreased serum IL-1β, TNF-α, and OxLDL.
- They suggest that these carotenoids are acting systemically to attenuate oxidative lipid products and inflammation, thus reducing their contribution to atherosclerotic plaque formation.
How it was done
The authors say inflammation and oxidation are main contributors to atherosclerosis, and that oxidation of LDL particles in blood vessel walls may be an early step in plaque formation. They wanted to test whether these carotenoids would lower markers of inflammation and cardiovascular lipid oxidation in their study group.
In a double-blind placebo-controlled trial, people were randomly assigned to take either a supplement with lutein (10 mg), meso-zeaxanthin (10 mg) and zeaxanthin (2 mg), or a placebo containing sunflower oil. Blood levels of carotenoids, inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α) and oxidized LDL were measured at the start and at 6 months.
What it can’t tell you
- We summarised it from the abstract only.
- This trial measured blood markers of inflammation and oxidation, not heart attacks or other heart outcomes.
- It cannot show whether these changes would prevent atherosclerosis or heart disease over time.
Who paid
- Conflicts
- Declaration of competing interest N.S. has performed consultancy work for Industrial Organica. M.G. has performed consultancy work for Industrial Organica and MacuHealth LLC. A.P.-C. is co-founder of Supplement Certified Ltd. W.R. declares no conflict of interest. R.M. declares no conflict of interest. J.M.N. does consultancy work as a director of NOW Science Consultancy Ltd. for companies with an interest in food supplements and also is a director of Supplement Certified Ltd.
- Authors work at
- Southeast Technical University, Ireland; Northern Arizona University, USA
The paper
- Title
- Lutein, zeaxanthin, and meso-zeaxanthin supplementation attenuates inflammatory cytokines and markers of oxidative cardiovascular processes in humans
- Type
- Randomised controlled trial
- Evidence
- Studies in people
- Summarised from
- Abstract only
- Cite
- Stringham NT, Green M, Roche W, Prado-Cabrero A, Mulcahy R, Nolan J (2024). Lutein, zeaxanthin, and meso-zeaxanthin supplementation attenuates inflammatory cytokines and markers of oxidative cardiovascular processes in humans. Nutrition, metabolism, and cardiovascular diseases. doi:10.1016/j.numecd.2024.05.009PubMed 38890092DOI
Summary written 26 Sep 2026. Check it against the paper before it changes what you eat. How we summarise papers · Report an error