We’re focused on science.

There are more than 300 published papers on macular pigment; Zeaxanthin; effects of carotenoids on vision; and macular pigment measurement. Of course, we’re about science. Dennis Gierhart, PhD co-founded ZeaVision in 2001 with a mission to fight vision loss and preserve healthy vision. Dr. Gierhart also patented Zeaxanthin, the predominant carotenoid in the macula, which protects your central vision.

Two recent and very important studies.

To date, more than 300 macular pigment-relate studies have been published, and some 50 studies are cited on our parent company’s website, www.zeavision.com/research.html. This section is updated continuously as new science and research becomes available.

Two Major Studies Support Nutrition and Zeaxanthin By Dennis Gierhart

Two studies were published in June that provided strong support for the role of nutrition and particularly, Zeaxanthin in managing risks of macular degeneration.


The Rotterdam Study

The first study comes from a major epidemiological study group (The Rotterdam Study). I have alluded to this study coming out in a previous newsletter. This long term population- based study looked at 2167 individuals with a mean follow-up of 8.6 years.

Fundus photographs demonstrated that 517 participants developed early AMD. Dietary intake of the Omega-3 fish oil constituents, DHA and EPA, B-carotene, zinc and lutein/zeaxanthin were calculated from initial baseline food frequency questionnaires. The participants were analyzed for two major AMD risk genes, CFH-Y402H and LOC 387715-A695. For the CFH gene, the highest dietary intake tertile of zinc, B-carotene, lutein/zeaxanthin and EPA/DHA reduced risks from 2.25 to 1.27, 2.54 to 1.47, 2.63 to 1.72 and 1.97 to 1.30 respectively (p<0.05 for all). For the second major gene, LOC (related to EPA/DHA metabolism) both zinc and EPA/DHA significantly reduced risks.

This major study strongly suggests that if you are born with high risk genes, that modifying your dietary intake of these key nutrients can reduce AMD risks and that prevention or risk reduction is possible.

Click here to read the full abstract on PubMed.gov

Serum Carotenoids and AMD Risk in Chinese Population

Another new study shows low blood serum Zeaxanthin Increases risks of AMD.

Collaboration between Tufts University in Boston and researchers in Beijing, China have again shown low blood serum zeaxanthin increases the risk of exudative AMD. The study suggested that the Chinese subjects (263 in total) who had high fasting blood levels had a 96% risk reduction of wet AMD. Blood lycopene levels were also protective but no significant effects could be seen from lutein. The risk reduction for zeaxanthin is remarkably similar to the POLA study that showed 93% risk reduction in Southern French patients. Low serum or dietary zeaxanthin has been shown in Australia, Japan, U.S., Netherlands, England and a multi-country study (EurEye) to be suggestive of a universal protective mechanism.

Chinese have a lower AMD prevalence than Caucasians and some differences in genetic susceptibilities. Serum carotenoids were higher than reports of most other ethnicities, possibly reflecting greater fruit and vegetable consumption however the results were comparable to the POLA study where the subjects consumed a “Mediterranean” diet.

Click here to read the full abstract on PubMed.gov