Frequently asked questions.
How much lutein and zeaxanthin should be given to my child?
Although research shows that lutein and zeaxanthin are safe at higher dosages, we have optimized intake levels for children ages 5-12 years old at 10 mg of lutein and 2 mg of zeaxanthin, which aligns with the Lutemax product formulations of a 5:1 ratio. Unfortunately, as per the Center for Disease Control, most Americans are not eating adequate amounts of fruit and vegetables in their diet which limits their daily intake of lutein and zeaxanthin. For a point of reference in terms of common food sources, you can get approximately 12 mg of lutein from 1 cup of cooked spinach, 9 mg of lutein from a cup of cooked kale and more than 1 mg of zeaxanthin from one medium raw orange pepper.
Where do the lutein and zeaxanthin come from?
Non-GMO verified premium marigold flower are the origin of lutein and zeaxanthin found within the Lutemax 2020, Lutemax Brain and Lutemax Skinglo formulations. OmniActive takes full responsibility in cultivating this product from “seed to sale,” beginning with a dedicated base of farmers in India, who cultivate the seeds according to the Good Agricultural Practices, guaranteeing satisfaction of quality requirements around the world. Once marigold flowers are in bloom, they are harvested and dried, whereby these nutrients can be extracted, and through state of the art technology, their nutritional value is captured in finished products. Testing and quality control occur at every step of OmniActive manufacturing in facilities located throughout India. (See more in the About section.)
Can I take lutein with other supplements?
While there are no contraindications for use of lutein with other supplements, individuals are advised to first check with their health practitioners. Many multivitamins do contain some level of lutein.
Are your products vegan/vegetarian?
Lutemax nutritional ingredients are sourced from the marigold flower, which has a vegetarian and vegan status, and can be delivered through 100% vegetarian beadlets. However, as Lutemax is a nutritional ingredient that is incorporated within other branded products in the marketplace, you should refer to the package of all finished products for final vegetarian certification status.
How do lutein and zeaxanthin protect my skin?
Similar to their roles in the eye, lutein and zeaxanthin have two primary functions in the skin: as antioxidants and as natural filters of damaging high-energy ultraviolet (UV) light from the sun. Lutein and zeaxanthin also provide nourishment to the skin while helping to support the skin’s firmness, suppleness, and elasticity. Make sure to not only rely on your health supplements when it comes to sun protection. An SPF of at least 30 should be applied to your skin.
How do antioxidants support our eye health?
Antioxidants can be obtained in our diet from the carotenoids, or plant-based nutrients that provide the bright green, yellow, red, purple and orange pigments naturally present in fruits and vegetables. These antioxidants support the health of our bodies by helping to prevent oxidative stress caused by free radicals that may lead to the development of chronic and degenerative illnesses. Two examples of antioxidants that help protect the eyes are lutein and zeaxanthin, which offer the natural yellow pigment of foods such as corn, yellow squash, and zucchini. Lutein and zeaxanthin are concentrated in the macula of the eye. With greater dietary concentration of these nutrients, we see many eye health benefits such as support for greater antioxidant shielding against free radicals, protection against high-energy blue light from digital devices, improved visual performance and protection from age-related changes that can lead to disease progression.
How do I know that lutein and zeaxanthin support eye health?
Lutein and zeaxanthin are two carotenoids (natural plant compounds found in brightly-colored green, yellow and orange fruit and vegetables) that are concentrated in the macula of the eye. In this area, they are found at three times the level of carotenoids found in the bloodstream, thus earning them the name “macular carotenoids.” Here, they’ve been shown to contribute to the maintenance of visual function, significantly increase the protective layer of macular pigment, a protective layer in the eye, and promote healthy eye function by filtering high-energy blue light.
Can a supplement actually increase natural tears? I thought only eyes drops worked?
The most common way that people deal with occasional dry eye is with the use of artificial tears or eye drops, but in a consumer survey conducted by OmniActive, a majority of people suggested that drops are not a satisfactory solution, since the benefits are only temporary. In nutrition research, several nutrients have been highlighted as potentially helpful in addressing dry eye issues, including omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, vitamins A, C and D, lactoferrin and selenium. In addition, a clinical study on OmniActive’s Nutritears, a blend of Lutein & Zeaxanthin, Curcumin and Vitamin D, has demonstrated improvement in eye hydration, less tear loss, irritation and burning in the eyes.
I’ve heard a lot about blue light. How can lutein/zeaxanthin protect against blue light from digital devices?
Statistics show that people of all ages are seeing increased exposure to screens that give off digital light/blue light than pre-global pandemic times. With remote work, virtual sessions and lessons, and more streaming content and online socialization taking place than ever before, over-exposure to blue light can cause eye fatigue and strain, more frequent headaches and disruption to regular sleep patterns. Nutritional supplementation including lutein and zeaxanthin have been clinically shown to support people exposed to digital devices by filtering high-energy blue light from digital device thereby, reducing eye strain and eye fatigue associated with digital device use.
What is the connection between lutein and zeaxanthin and sleep?
Lutein and zeaxanthin have been shown to help filter out high-energy blue light from digital devices and can help reduce associated eye strain and fatigue that may be amongst the reasons we have trouble sleeping. Supplementation with Lutemax has also been shown to reduce stress, promote a feeling of relaxation, support mental and emotional well-being, and help support a restful quality sleep.
Are lutein and zeaxanthin found in prenatal vitamins? Is it safe to take while I’m pregnant?
Lutein and zeaxanthin are naturally found in colorful fruits and vegetables. So, if you consume colorful fruits and vegetables, chances are you are already getting some of these nutrients in your diet. At the moment, there are no recommendations to stipulate which nutrients should be included in prenatal vitamins. That said, both lutein and zeaxanthin are found in the brain and eyes of developing fetus’s and are therefore critical early in life. Currently, there are prenatal dietary supplements with lutein and zeaxanthin. We recommend seeking your medical doctor’s advice on your use of lutein and zeaxanthin during pregnancy.
If I eat a well-balanced diet, do I need to take lutein and zeaxanthin as a nutritional supplement?
Our bodies cannot make lutein and zeaxanthin on their own, so these nutrients must be obtained from the diet, specifically colorful fruits and vegetables. The challenge is that most Americans are not consuming the daily recommended amounts of fruits and vegetables. In these cases, dietary supplementation can help complement dietary intakes.
References
1 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5331551/
2 https://www.rxlist.com/lutein/supplements.htm
3 Landrum JT, Bone RA. Lutein, zeaxanthin, and the macular pigment. Arch Biochem Biophys Jan 2001: 385(1):28-40.
4Chao SC, Nien CW, Iacob C, Hu DN, Huang SC, Lin HY. Effects of lutein on hyperosmoticity-induced upregulation of il-6 in cultured corneal epithelial cells and its relevant signal pathways. J Ophthalmol 2016: 8341439.
5 Chao SC, Vagaggini T, Nien CW, Huang SC, Lin HY. Effects of lutein and zeaxanthin on lps-induced secretion of il-8 by uveal melanocytes and relevant signal pathways. J Ophthalmol 2015: 152854.
6 Chew EY, Clemons TE, SanGiovanni JP, Danis R, Ferris FL, Elman M, Fish G. Lutein + zeaxanthin and omega-3 fatty acids for age-related macular degeneration: The age-related eye disease study 2 (AREDS2) randomized clinical trial. JAMA 2013: 309; 2005–2015.
7 DEWS 2014
8 OmniInsights 2020
9 Stringham NT, Holmes PV, Stringham JM. Supplementation with macular carotenoids reduces psychological stress, serum cortisol, and sub-optimal symptoms of physical and emotional health in young adults. Nutr Neurosci. 2017 15:1-11.7
10 Stringham JM, Stringham NT, O’Brien KJ. Macular Carotenoid Supplementation Improves Visual Performance, Sleep Quality, and Adverse Physical Symptoms in Those with High Screen Time Exposure. Foods 2017 6(7), 47; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods6070047.