Life Extension Super Zeaxanthin with Lutein and Meso-zeaxanthin Plus Astaxanthin 60 Softgels

The eye is a highly complex organ that detects light and converts it to electrochemical impulses in neurons. It must safely harvest, control, focus, and react to light in order to produce vision. Light enters the anterior (front) 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 humor. 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 is the retinal pigmented epithelium, which nourishes the retinal visual cells and removes waste from the constantly active photoreceptor cells. The retinal pigmented epithelium rests on a thin, connective tissue-like support structure called Bruch's membrane (vitreous lamina), 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, carotenoids protect delicate photoreceptor cells in the retina's macula from light damage. The density of your macular pigment (composed of lutein, zeaxanthin and meso-zeaxanthin) is essential to proper vision. 8-10 These carotenoids act as antioxidants and protect the macula from damage by photo-initiated oxidative stress. 10-12 Unfortunately, this density declines naturally over time. Some aging people also lose their ability to convert lutein into meso-zeaxanthin inside their macula.

Eating lots of lutein- and zeaxanthin-containing vegetables can help maintain the structural integrity of the macula. However, since meso-zeaxanthin is not part of the typical diet, it cannot be replaced except in supplement form.

This Super Zeaxanthin formula provides therapeutic doses of all three carotenoids to help protect your precious eyesight, plus an additional carotenoid, astaxanthin, to help fight eye fatigue.

Astaxanthin, found in the red algae called Haematococcus pluvialis, when taken with other carotenoids has been shown to protect against free radical-induced DNA damage, repair UVA-irradiated cells, and inhibit inflammatory cell infiltration. 8,13-14 Astaxanthin also helps support vascular health within the eye and improves visual acuity. 15 Astaxanthin may play a preventative role in eye fatigue. Human clinical trials by Japanese scientists demonstrated that astaxanthin is effective in reducing bleary-eye feeling, a tendency toward irritation, and preventing eye strain resulting from accommodative dysfunction. 15-16

Super Zeaxanthin formula now includes C3G (Cyanidin-3-gluco-side), a cutting-edge berry flavonoid compound that helps to stimulate regeneration of rhodopsin. Rhodopsin is a compound in the eyes that absorbs light in the retina. As rhodopsin dramatically declines over time, it leads to a progressive loss of night vision. By helping to maintain rhodopsin, C3G helps to support night vision.