FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla.—The level of macular pigment (MP), comprised of lutein and zeaxanthin, is positively related to visual performance in individuals with normal eye health and function, according to a new study presented May 3, 2010, at the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) annual meeting.
Researchers at the Vision Science Laboratory of the University of Georgia, researchers measured MP, glare disability, photostress recovery time and contrast enhancement in 111 healthy young subjects enrolled in a one-year, randomized, placebo-controlled, double blind study. At baseline, the researchers found MP varied widely, but was significantly and positively correlated with glare disability, photostress recovery time and contrast enhancement. The intervention study is now in progress to test whether supplementing with FloraGLO® Lutein and OPTISHARP® Zeaxanthin can improve visual performance by increasing macular pigment levels.
For this intervention study, DSM Nutritional Products and Kemin Health supplied tablets of FloraGLO Lutein (10 mg/d) and OPTISHARP Zeaxanthin (2 mg/d zeaxanthin) and matching placebo tablets. The test tablets used DSM’s Actilease® technology in order to maximize the absorption of lutein and zeaxanthin. Kemin and DSM formed an exclusive strategic alliance in 2008, whereby Kemin supplies FloraGLO Lutein exclusively through DSM, which globally commercializes the products.
