Of 50 carotenoids in the human diet, the 2 xanthophyll pigments lutein and zeaxanthin concentrate in the eye at over 1000 x the serum concentration. Together they comprise 75 of infant brain carotenoids and 50 in centenarian brains. Supplemental carotenoids are essential for protecting aging populations from developing AMD. This is particularly true for AMD patients with low dietary intake and resultant low macular pigment optical density MPOD as shown in the NEI AREDS Age Eye Disease Study II May 2013. MPOD can now be measured clinically, both subjectively and objectively. Furthermore, the concentration of retinal lutein and zeaxanthin has a 0.90 correlation r with the amount of lutein or zeaxanthin found in the occipital cortex. The entire biologic systems retina to occipital cortex is involved with visual function in healthy individuals. Nature provides lutein and zeaxanthin to optimize visual performance throughout the human lifespan.

 

1 Medical CE