What is the meaning zeaxanthin?

: a yellow crystalline carotenoid alcohol C40H56O2 that is isomeric with lutein and occurs especially in fruits and vegetables (such as kiwifruit and spinach) and egg yolks.

Why is zeaxanthin important?

Lutein and zeaxanthin are powerful antioxidants that defend your body against unstable molecules called free radicals. In excess, free radicals can damage your cells, contribute to aging and lead to the progression of diseases like heart disease, cancer, type 2 diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease ( 2 , 3 ).

What are zeaxanthin isomers?

Meso-zeaxanthin is often labeled as “zeaxanthin isomers” and is actually different than dietary zeaxanthin. Our eyes are naturally protected by macular pigment, the majority of which is made up of the carotenoids zeaxanthin and lutein. The body absorbs these nutrients found in food and deposits them in the macula.

What does zeaxanthin do in plants?

Zeaxanthin Protects Plant Photosynthesis by Modulating Chlorophyll Triplet Yield in Specific Light-harvesting Antenna Subunits.

What is meso zeaxanthin and where does it come from?

Unlike lutein and zeaxanthin, meso-zeaxanthin is a non-dietary carotenoid that is not found in the serum of humans, but only in the retina (specifically the macula). Scientists have found evidence that suggests meso-zeaxanthin is produced in the retina from lutein via an isomerization process.

What is zeaxanthin found in?

Lutein and zeaxanthin are the most common xanthophylls in green leafy vegetables (e.g., kale, spinach, broccoli, peas and lettuce) and egg yolks [25] (Table 1). They are also found at relatively high levels in einkorn, Khorasan and durum wheat and corn and their food products [26,27,28,29] (Table 1).

Is zeaxanthin a vitamin?

Zeaxanthin is an eye vitamin that, once inside the body, is drawn to the eyes. It makes its way into the lens, macula, and fovea (the center spot of the retina).

Who should not take lutein?

Do not take more than 20 mg per day of a lutein supplement. Pregnant or breastfeeding women and children should not take supplemental lutein. Keep all supplements, vitamins, and other medicines securely out of the sight and reach of children and pets.

What foods contain zeaxanthin?

Lutein and zeaxanthin are carotenoid pigments that impart yellow or orange color to various common foods such as cantaloupe, pasta, corn, carrots, orange/yellow peppers, fish, salmon and eggs.

What are the side effects of zeaxanthin?

There are no known toxic side effects of taking too much lutein or zeaxanthin. In some cases, people who eat large amounts of carrots or yellow and green citrus fruits can develop a harmless yellowing of the skin called carotenemia.

What is another name for zeaxanthin?

Zeaxanthin

What foods are high in meso-zeaxanthin?

Recent research has discovered a third carotenoid in the macula called meso-zeaxanthin….Food Sources for Carotenoids

• Eggs.
• Carrots.
• Sweet potatoes.
• Dried fruit (especially apricots, peaches, and prunes)
• Citrus fruit (e.g., lemons, oranges, kiwis, and grapefruits)
• Green peas and green beans.
• Romaine lettuce.
• Brussel sprouts.

Which is the best definition of zeaxanthin?

Definition of zeaxanthin. : a yellow crystalline carotenoid alcohol C40H56O2 that is isomeric with lutein and occurs especially in fruits and vegetables (such as kiwifruit and spinach) and egg yolks.

Why is zeaxanthin important in the xanthophyll cycle?

Infobox references. Zeaxanthin is one of the most common carotenoid alcohols found in nature. It is important in the xanthophyll cycle. Synthesized in plants and some micro-organisms, it is the pigment that gives paprika (made from bell peppers), corn, saffron, wolfberries, and many other plants and microbes their characteristic color.

How are lutein and zeaxanthin similar to each other?

Lutein and zeaxanthin are two important carotenoids, which are pigments produced by plants that give fruits and vegetables a yellow to reddish hue. They’re structurally very similar, with just a slight difference in the arrangement of their atoms (1

How did the yellow pigment zeaxanthin get its name?

The name (pronounced zee-uh-zan’-thin) is derived from Zea mays (common yellow maize corn, in which zeaxanthin provides the primary yellow pigment), plus xanthos, the Greek word for “yellow” (see xanthophyll).