What is Zeaxanthin?

Zeaxanthin is one of the carotenoid compounds which plays a significant role in protecting the eyes from the various harmful effects of oxidation and also in treating the light induced damages.

Zeaxanthin is one of the yellow color compounds, which is found in the center of the macula. It can also be found in high levels in the dark green vegetables and also in fruits like organic and yellow fruits and also in yolk of the eggs.

Zeaxanthin is a kind of pigment which results in paprika, corn and saffron Zeaxanthin is commonly associated with the similar compounds like lutein. Both supplements are carotenoids which is associating in treating the health of the eyes, it is found in high levels in many of the vegetables and fruits.

Zeaxanthin Health Benefits

Zeaxanthin is also known as eye vitamin, once it is taken by our body, it is directly drawn into the eyes. It goes in way first into the lens, then to the mula, fovea, which is a center spot of retina.

Zeaxanthin helps us to build a yellow-colored pigmented compound, which shields the eye cells against the harmful effects that are caused due to certain sources of light, including the light from the sun.

Zeaxanthin helps in protecting the eyes from various harmful free radicals which forms a over time after the oxidation process, few dietary sources of zeaxanthin has been studied and protective factors in the age-related factors like macular degeneration.

Macular degeneration leads to blindness in most of the people who are above 65 years of age. In some cases, macular complication affects the younger people.

Zeaxanthin on acting along with lutein acts as a dietary carotenoid which get accumulated in the retina of the eye, particularly in the region of macula. As both the substances are found in large amounts of the macula, which are also known as macular pigments.

Zeaxanthin and lutein also helps in benefiting the body such as

Age related macular degeneration: Lutein and Zeaxanthin helps us to protect the eyes against the macular degenerations, which on later periods if left untreated leads to blindness.

Cataract: A cataract is condition which can be defined as the clouding of the lens in the eyes. Zeaxanthin and lutein consumption also helps us to slow down the process of forming the cataracts.

Uveitis: Uveitis is the inflammation or the swelling of the uvea in the eyes. Uvea is generally located in the center of the eye, it is found between the sclera and the retina, which is responsible for supplying blood to the retina. Zeaxanthin and lutein also play an important role in reducing the inflammatory processes.

Diabetic retinopathy: It is one of the complication factors of retina, which results in damaging the blood vessels that is present in retina of the eyes. On supplementing with zeaxanthin and lutein, it reduces the oxidation processors which damages the eyes.

Other Benefits: Lutein and zeaxanthin are the only dietary carotenoids, which accumulates in the retina, especially in the macula region, that is situated at the back of our eyes. As these are found in concentrated amounts in the macula, there are often referred to as macular pigments.

The macula plays an important role in vision. Lutein and zeaxanthin work as an important antioxidant by protecting the eyes against harmful free radicals.

On removing these antioxidants, it leads to damaging of the health of the eyes. Lutein also acts as a natural sun block, which absorbs the excess light energy, and especially to protect it from harmful blue light rations.

On recent years it is also suggested that zeaxanthin has a various benefit in protecting the inflammations in the skin that are caused by UVB-induced radiations.

Zeaxanthin Side Effect

Till now there is no side effects or the negative reviews being reported on zeaxanthin. On the other hand, some of the negative interactions are found on taking it with other drugs. Even though it is harmless, a person having a fair skin complexion develops a yellow coloration of the skin if the intake of zeaxanthin extends greater than the maximum rate.

It has also been found that zeaxanthin has a great role in protecting the skin cells from the premature aging and also in protecting it against ultra violet induced tumors. Zeaxanthin is responsible for most of the eye related problems.

Zeaxanthin Source

Zeaxanthin is found abundantly in the green plants and in leaves. Within the plants, it also modulates the light energy by keeping the chlorophyll at the needed amount during the process of photosynthesis.

Zeaxanthin and lutein play a vital role in giving bright colors to many of the fruits and vegetables, it is also present in more higher amounts in the green spinaches and in leafy vegetables.

The chlorophyll that is found in the dark and green vegetables including spinaches, has the capability to masks the lutein and the zeaxanthin pigments, that’s why the vegetables and leaves are green in color.