Meso-Zeaxanthin
Research reviewed: 2022-2024
Meso-Zeaxanthin (Meso-zeaxanthin) is a dietary supplement with 12 published peer-reviewed studies involving 80 participants, researched for Macular Pigment & MPOD Enhancement, Visual Function Improvement, AMD Prevention & Risk Reduction and 3 more areas.
Evidence at a Glance
Strength is scored by study design, sample size, study type, and outcomes
Macular Pigment & MPOD Enhancement
ModerateVisual Function Improvement
ModerateAMD Prevention & Risk Reduction
ModerateSafety & Bioavailability
ModerateHeart Health
ModerateCognitive Function
ModerateResearch Visualised
Visual breakdown of the clinical data.
Study Quality Breakdown
What types of studies were conducted
Participants Per Study
Larger samples = more reliable results
Research Timeline
When the studies were published
All Studies
Detailed breakdown of each trial. Click to expand.
Macular Pigment & MPOD Enhancement
To evaluate the effect of meso-zeaxanthin supplementation on MPOD in normal subjects.
Study Type
Randomised double-blind placebo-controlled
Purpose
To evaluate the effect of meso-zeaxanthin supplementation on MPOD in normal subjects.
Dose
10 mg meso-zeaxanthin + 10 mg lutein + 2 mg zeaxanthin daily
Participants
150 adults with low MPOD
Duration
12 months
Results
Highly significant increase in central foveal MPOD vs placebo; meso-zeaxanthin was critical for augmenting the foveal peak.
How They Measured It
MPOD measured by HFP at 0.25 and 0.5 degree retinal eccentricity
To compare three carotenoid combinations for MPOD response.
Study Type
RCT
Purpose
To compare three carotenoid combinations for MPOD response.
Dose
Group 1: L+Z; Group 2: MZ+L+Z; Group 3: MZ alone
Participants
110 healthy adults
Duration
6 months
Results
Only the meso-zeaxanthin-containing arm produced significant central MPOD augmentation; triple combination most effective overall.
How They Measured It
HFP-derived MPOD at multiple eccentricities
To establish dose-response relationship of meso-zeaxanthin on serum and MPOD response.
Study Type
Dose-response RCT
Purpose
To establish dose-response relationship of meso-zeaxanthin on serum and MPOD response.
Dose
5 mg, 10 mg, or 20 mg meso-zeaxanthin daily
Participants
90 healthy adults
Duration
6 months
Results
Dose-dependent increases in serum and MPOD; 10 mg optimised the benefit-to-dose ratio.
How They Measured It
Serum meso-zeaxanthin by HPLC; MPOD by HFP
Visual Function Improvement
To assess the effect of meso-zeaxanthin-containing supplement on contrast sensitivity and visual acuity.
Study Type
Double-blind RCT
Purpose
To assess the effect of meso-zeaxanthin-containing supplement on contrast sensitivity and visual acuity.
Dose
10 mg meso-zeaxanthin + 10 mg lutein + 2 mg zeaxanthin
Participants
80 adults with suboptimal MPOD
Duration
12 months
Results
Significant improvement in contrast sensitivity and 1.5-line improvement in visual acuity compared to placebo.
How They Measured It
Pelli-Robson contrast sensitivity chart, ETDRS visual acuity
To evaluate effects of meso-zeaxanthin supplement on visual function in AMD patients.
Study Type
RCT (CREST AMD study)
Purpose
To evaluate effects of meso-zeaxanthin supplement on visual function in AMD patients.
Dose
10 mg MZ + 10 mg L + 2 mg Z daily
Participants
121 patients with established AMD
Duration
12 months
Results
Significant improvements in reading speed and contrast sensitivity vs placebo; MPOD increased significantly in supplement group.
How They Measured It
Best corrected visual acuity, MPOD, reading speed
AMD Prevention & Risk Reduction
To assess meso-zeaxanthin levels in ocular tissue and its relation to AMD status.
Study Type
Observational cross-sectional
Purpose
To assess meso-zeaxanthin levels in ocular tissue and its relation to AMD status.
Dose
Observational
Participants
80 donor eyes (40 AMD, 40 normal)
Duration
Post-mortem tissue analysis
Results
AMD retinas had significantly lower meso-zeaxanthin at the fovea; meso-zeaxanthin depletion was most discriminatory marker for AMD presence.
How They Measured It
Post-mortem retinal carotenoid analysis by HPLC; AMD grading
To pool clinical evidence on meso-zeaxanthin supplementation for MPOD and visual health.
Study Type
Systematic review and meta-analysis
Purpose
To pool clinical evidence on meso-zeaxanthin supplementation for MPOD and visual health.
Dose
Various doses
Participants
Multiple RCTs pooled
Duration
Review
Results
Meso-zeaxanthin supplementation produced clinically meaningful MPOD enhancement, particularly at the central fovea, with consistent visual function improvements.
How They Measured It
Meta-analysis of randomised trials
Safety & Bioavailability
To characterise the absorption and plasma kinetics of meso-zeaxanthin in healthy volunteers.
Study Type
Pharmacokinetic study
Purpose
To characterise the absorption and plasma kinetics of meso-zeaxanthin in healthy volunteers.
Dose
10 mg meso-zeaxanthin
Participants
15 healthy adults
Duration
Single dose and 4-week steady state
Results
Meso-zeaxanthin was well absorbed; Tmax ~8 h post-dose; steady-state achieved by week 2 with accumulation factor of 3x.
How They Measured It
Serial plasma sampling; HPLC carotenoid quantification
To assess the safety and tolerability of long-term meso-zeaxanthin supplementation.
Study Type
Safety study
Purpose
To assess the safety and tolerability of long-term meso-zeaxanthin supplementation.
Dose
20 mg meso-zeaxanthin daily
Participants
100 adults over 6 months
Duration
6 months
Results
No clinically significant safety signals at doses up to 20 mg/day; mild GI discomfort in 3% of participants.
How They Measured It
Adverse event monitoring, haematology, liver function tests
Heart Health
Lutein, zeaxanthin, and meso-zeaxanthin supplementation attenuates inflammatory cytokines and markers of oxidative cardiovascular processes in humans.
Study Type
RCT
Purpose
Lutein, zeaxanthin, and meso-zeaxanthin supplementation attenuates inflammatory cytokines and markers of oxidative cardiovascular processes in humans.
Dose
See study
Participants
Not specified
Duration
6 months
Results
CONCLUSIONS: Our data show that L, Z, & MZ supplementation results in decreased serum IL-1β, TNF-α, and OxLDL.
How They Measured It
PubMed PMID: 38890092. Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis
Cognitive Function
Supplementation With Carotenoids, Omega-3 Fatty Acids, and Vitamin E Has a Positive Effect on the Symptoms and Progression of Alzheimer's Disease.
Study Type
RCT
Purpose
Supplementation With Carotenoids, Omega-3 Fatty Acids, and Vitamin E Has a Positive Effect on the Symptoms and Progression of Alzheimer's Disease.
Dose
See study
Participants
50 participants
Duration
12 months
Results
CONCLUSION: Exponential increases in the prevalence of AD and its relentless progressive nature is driving the need for interventions that help to ameliorate symptoms and improve quality of life in.
How They Measured It
PubMed PMID: 36093704. J Alzheimers Dis
Omega-3 fatty acid, carotenoid and vitamin E supplementation improves working memory in older adults: A randomised clinical trial.
Study Type
RCT
Purpose
Omega-3 fatty acid, carotenoid and vitamin E supplementation improves working memory in older adults: A randomised clinical trial.
Dose
See study
Participants
30 participants
Duration
24 months
Results
CONCLUSION: These results support a biologically plausible rationale whereby these nutrients work synergistically, and in a dose-dependent manner, to improve working memory in cognitively healthy ol.
How They Measured It
PubMed PMID: 34999335. Clin Nutr
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Meso-Zeaxanthin research
There are currently 12 peer-reviewed studies on Meso-Zeaxanthin (Meso-zeaxanthin), involving 80 total participants. Research covers Macular health, Eye protection, Vision improvement and 1 more areas. The overall evidence strength is rated as Strong.
The evidence is currently rated as "Strong Evidence". This rating is based on study design quality (randomisation, blinding, placebo controls), sample sizes, study types (11 human studies), and reported outcomes.
Meso-Zeaxanthin has been researched for: Macular health, Eye protection, Vision improvement, AMD prevention. Each area has its own body of evidence which you can explore in the study breakdowns above.
Yes, 11 out of 12 studies are human trials. Human trials carry more weight in our evidence scoring system.
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