The Claim
Supplementation with 6 mg/day of lutein from marigold extract for 15 days increases serum zeaxanthin by approximately 1.7-fold in healthy adults, despite the supplement containing only low concentrations of zeaxanthin.
What the research says
Supports is higher
Support is ahead, but a single strong opposing study can change this.
These are independent scores, not a percentage. Higher-grade studies count more, so a single strong opposing study can outweigh several weaker ones.
Taking 6 milligrams of lutein from marigold extract daily for 15 days raises the level of zeaxanthin in the blood by about 1.7 times in healthy adults, even though the supplement contains very little zeaxanthin.
See the scientific wording
Supplementation with 6 mg/day of lutein from marigold extract for 15 days increases serum zeaxanthin by approximately 1.7-fold in healthy adults, despite the supplement containing only low concentrations of zeaxanthin, suggesting cross-absorption or metabolic conversion.
The body converts lutein into zeaxanthin after absorption, which raises zeaxanthin levels in the blood even when the supplement has almost no zeaxanthin to begin with.
What the research says
1 studyTaking a daily lutein supplement for two weeks made the level of zeaxanthin in the blood go up by 70%, even though the supplement had almost no zeaxanthin in it. This means your body probably turns some of the lutein into zeaxanthin.
Score breakdown, mechanism chain, raw evidence, ideal studies needed & 1 supporting studies
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making health decisions.