The eye is a highly complex organ that must safely harvest, control, focus, and react to light in order to produce vision. Light enters the anterior portion of the eye through the clear cornea and fluid-like aqueous humor, and is then focused by the clear lens before entering the gel-like vitreous. It must pass through a nerve layer of ganglions connected to photoreceptors (both rods and cones) where light signals are converted to electrical signals that are transported to the brain.

Behind the photoreceptors are the retinal pigmented epithelium cells that feed and remove toxic waste from the constantly active photoreceptors. The retinal pigmented epithelium cells rest on a thin, connective, tissue-like support structure called Bruchs membrane, which also serves to create a blood-brain barrier for transport of nutrients, waste products, and critical oxygen.

The macular region of the human retina is yellow in color due to the presence of the macular pigment, composed of two dietary xanthophylls, lutein and zeaxanthin, and another xanthophyll, meso-zeaxanthin. The latter is formed from lutein in the retina.

By absorbing blue-light, the macular pigment protects the underlying photoreceptor cell layer from light damage, possibly initiated by the formation of reactive oxygen species during a photosensitized reaction.

The macular pigment can be increased by either increasing the intake of foods that are rich in lutein and zeaxanthin, such as dark-green leafy vegetables, or by supplementation with lutein or zeaxanthin.(1-3)

With time, the aging eye accumulates photosensitizers in the retina, such as lipofuscin, thereby making the retina the most susceptible to light-initiated oxidative damage.(4-7)

Photoreceptors in the retina are neural cells that do not undergo mitosis (i.e., the division of the parent cells genome into two daughter cells). Once lost, these photoreceptors cannot be restored, leading to degeneration of the retina, the continuing deleterious accumulation of metabolic debris, and a resultant loss of vision.

However, research has shown that maintaining optimal vision is now possible with nutritional supplementation, diet and other lifestyle changes.(1-3)

This Super Zeaxanthin formula provides therapeutic doses of all three carotenoids to help protect your precious eyesight.

Ingredients:
Each softgel contains:
OptiLut® and Lutein Plus with MZ® Marigold (Tagetes erecta) Extract (flower) [free lutein equivalent 10mg] 38mg
Zeaxanthin & Meso-zeaxanthin blend (micronized zeaxanthin, OptiLut® Marigold and Lutein Plus with MZ® Marigold Extract) 3.75mg
Other Ingredients: soybean oil, gelatin shell (gelatin, glycerine, annatto, and water), beeswax, lecithin. Contains soybeans.
Contains NO: milk, egg, fish, peanuts, crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, wheat, yeast, gluten, corn, or rice. Contains NO sugar, artificial sweeteners, flavors, colors, or preservatives.

Recommended Use:
Adults: Take one softgel daily with or without food, or as recommended by a healthcare practitioner.

Warning:
Do not take with fiber supplements. If you are pregnant, nursing, or undergoing treatment for a medical condition, please consult your healthcare professional before using this product. Keep out of the reach of children.

References:
1. Annu Rev Nutr. 2003;23:171-201. Epub 2003 Feb 27.
2. J Am Optom Assoc. 1999 Jan;70(1):39-47.
3. Br J Ophthalmol. 1998 Aug;82(8):907-10.
4. Postepy Hig Med Dosw (Online). 2007;61:28-37.
5. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2004 Apr;45(4):1052-60.
6. Surv Ophthalmol. 2000;45:115–134.
7. Nat Med. 2008;14:194–198.

OptiLut® is a registered trademark of NutriScience Innovations, LLC.
Lutein Plus with MZ® is a registered trademark of Quantum Nutritionals. Licensed under US
Patents 5,523,494; 6,218,436; 6,329,432; and 6,504,067.