ZeaGold™ Is Natural Zeaxanthin

ZeaGold™ is an all-natural highly bioavailable zeaxanthin (zee-uh-zan'-thin). ZeaGold™ is derived from an exclusive whole food source - paprika. Unlike chemically synthesized zeaxanthin, ZeaGold™ is a zeaxanthin rich mixture of vegetable carotenoids providing a broad spectrum of antioxidant nutrients.

ZeaGold™ zeaxanthin is derived from paprika, a GRAS substance (Generally Recognized As Safe) and exempt from color certification in the United States. This is an important benefit in functional foods because ZeaGold™ may be used as a nutrient while also imparting color.

Why Choose ZeaGold™ Zeaxanthin?

• Consistent with an "all natural" position in the market
• Compatible with food and beverage applications
• A natural way to help your body balance dietary intake of Zeaxanthin and lutein[1]to concentrate zeaxanthin into macular tissue.

Zeaxanthin

Zeaxanthin is a yellow-orange carotenoid pigment found in fruits and vegetables such as peppers, corn, and oranges.

Zeaxanthin and Eye Health

Scientific evidence indicates a strong correlation between high blood serum levels of zeaxanthin and a reduced risk of cataract formation and Age-related Macular Degeneration. (AMD)[2][3]

AMD is the cause of vision loss in more than 25 million people worldwide and is the leading cause of blindness in people over 55 years of age. What causes vision loss? It is thought to be the result of a lifetime of oxidative stress which causes photoreceptor death within the macula[4].

How does zeaxanthin prevent this?

Zeaxanthin acts as a filter by absorbing blue light that initiates generation of oxyradicals that place photo-oxidative stress on the retina[5]

Zeaxanthin acts as an antioxidant by quenching singlet oxygen and reactive radicals that damage photoreceptor cells.[1]

Zeaxanthin may be more important that lutein in the prevention of cataract formation and Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD). The importance of the role which Zeaxanthin plays in eye health is supported by three important facts:

1. The human macula preferentially accumulates zeaxanthin over lutein.
2. In the absence of a sufficient dietary intake of zeaxanthin, the body will convert lutein to meso-zeaxanthin.
3. Zeaxanthin is selectively deposited at the center of the macula where protection from oxidation is most critical.

Filling The Dietary Gap

The body is not capable of synthezing zeaxanthin on its own. Dietary intake of 6 mg/day of the xanthophylls Lutein and Zeaxanthin has been associated with a reduction in the risk of AMD. However, the average daily dietary intake of Zeaxanthin is about 1.0 mg to 3.0 mg. [3][6][7] Filling the gap without significant changes in dietary habits calls for a highly bioavailable nutritional supplement like ZeaGold™.

References:

1. Palozza, P., et al. Antioxidant effects of carotenoids in vivo and in vitro: an overview Packer, L. eds. Methods in Enzymology 213: 403-420, Academic Press San Diego, CA, 1992.
2. Ribaya-Mercado, J.D., et al. Lutein and zeaxanthin and their potential roles in disease prevention. J AM Coll Nutr 23 (6 Suppl):2004.
3. Seddon, J. M. et al. Dietary carotenoids, vitamins A, C, and E, and advanced age-related macular degeneration. J. AM. Med. Assoc. 272:1413-1420, 1994.
4. Bone, R., et al. Lutein and zeaxanthin dietary supplements raise macular pigment density and serum concentrations of these carotenoids in humans. J Nutr. 133(4):992-998, 2003.
5. Thomson, L., et al. Long term dietary supplementation with zeaxanthin reduces photoreceptor death in light-damaged Japanese quail. Exp Eye Res. 75(5):529-42, 2002.
6. Tucker K.L., et al. Carotenoid intakes, assessed by dietary questionnaire, are associated with plasma carotenoid concentrations in an elderly population. J. Nutr, 129(2):438-45, 1999.
7. Brown L., et al. A prospective study of carotenoid intake and risk of cataract extraction in US men. Am J Clin Nutr 70(4):517-524, 1999.

ZeaGold™ License

ZeaGold™ zeaxanthin is offered for sale under a license agreement with ZeaVision LLC (www.eyepromise.com) for use at 4 mg/dose as a nutrient in dietary supplements, foods and beverages.
ZeaGold™ is a registered trademark of Kalsec® Inc.

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