Many older Americans are forced to give up some independence with age because loss of visual acuity limits their ability to drive. Interesting research from the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in North Chicago indicates that zeaxanthin may be able to help. 

Twenty-five individuals with early age-related macular degeneration were given zeaxanthin supplements daily over the course of a year. The results of the trial are noteworthy: the patients’ maculae were strengthened, they had better shape discrimination, and they reported better driving performance. Chrysantis, a zeaxanthin supplier which sponsored the study, said the improvement “almost reached statistical significance.” The firm also noted that this study is the first to demonstrate how zeaxanthin supplementation can improve one’s daily life.

The results were presented at the 2010 Association for Research in Vision and Ophthamology conference in Fort Lauderdale, FL.


Published in WholeFoods Magazine, July 2010 (published online ahead of print, May 27)