Ingredient profile
Lutein and Zeaxanthin in VisiFlora
VisiFlora lists lutein and zeaxanthin from marigold, the yellow pigments that collect in the macula. The seller does not publish how much of either is in a capsule. AREDS2 used 10 mg of lutein and 2 mg of zeaxanthin, and that formula helped only people with intermediate or late AMD. So VisiFlora cannot be compared with it.
Written by the VisiFlora editorial teamUpdated
The basics
What are lutein and zeaxanthin in VisiFlora?
They are two yellow plant pigments called carotenoids. VisiFlora's sales page lists "Lutein" and "Zeaxanthin (from Marigold)" among its 21 named ingredients, with no amount for either (Sales page, tryvisiflora.com).
Marigold flowers are a common source of these pigments for supplements. The brand graphic puts "lutein & zeaxanthin" among its six headline ingredients. It gives no dose.
| Name on the sales page | Lutein; Zeaxanthin (from Marigold) |
|---|---|
| What it is | Carotenoids from marigold flowers (Tagetes erecta) |
| Type | Carotenoids |
| Amount per capsule | Not published |
| Amount used in research | AREDS2: lutein 10 mg + zeaxanthin 2 mg a day |
| Strength of evidence | Part of AREDS2, for intermediate or late AMD only |
| Why it is in the formula | Pigments that collect in the macula |
| Main caution | Supplements cannot prevent AMD in people without it. Kale, spinach, corn and eggs are rich food sources. |
In the eye
What do lutein and zeaxanthin do in your eyes?
They build up in the macula, the small center of the retina you use for reading and seeing faces. There they form a yellow layer called macular pigment (Linus Pauling Institute: carotenoids).
Your body does not make them, so they come from food or a supplement.
The macula is also where age-related macular degeneration (AMD) does its damage. AMD can blur your central vision, and people 55 and older are more likely to have it (NEI: AMD basics). Studies that watched what people ate and who later got AMD have given mixed results (Linus Pauling Institute: carotenoids). Having a pigment in the eye does not prove a capsule protects it.
Dose check
How much lutein is in VisiFlora compared with AREDS2?
No one outside the company can say, because the amount is not published. The AREDS2 eye vitamin, tested by the National Eye Institute, used 10 mg of lutein and 2 mg of zeaxanthin a day (NEI: AREDS and AREDS2 formula doses).
| Nutrient | AREDS2 daily dose | VisiFlora per capsule |
|---|---|---|
| Lutein | 10 mg | Not published |
| Zeaxanthin | 2 mg | Not published |
| Zinc | 80 mg | 11 mg |
| Vitamin C | 500 mg | Not published |
| Vitamin E | 400 IU | Not published |
| Copper | 2 mg | Not published |
| Beta-carotene | None | Listed, amount not published |
VisiFlora is not an AREDS2 formula and should not be used as one. If your eye doctor has told you that you have intermediate AMD, ask whether an AREDS2 product fits you. The Academy found that many store eye vitamins do not match the study doses, so read labels with care (AAO: what's in your eye vitamins).
Where it fits
Who do lutein supplements actually help?
Mainly people who already have intermediate or late AMD, and then as part of the full AREDS2 formula. Lutein on its own showed little or no effect.
In the AREDS trials, the vitamin formulas cut the risk of advanced AMD by about 25% over five years, but only in people with intermediate or late AMD (NEI: who AREDS supplements help). There was no benefit for people with early AMD or healthy eyes. NEI says supplements cannot prevent AMD.
A Cochrane review of 26 trials found that lutein and zeaxanthin alone had little or no effect on AMD getting worse (Cochrane: antioxidants for slowing AMD). In AREDS2, adding them to the older formula did not slow AMD overall. A benefit showed up only in people who ate very little of them (Linus Pauling Institute: carotenoids).
Dilated eye exams on schedule
StrongFinds glaucoma and diabetic eye disease before you notice symptoms. (NEI: everyday ways to keep eyes healthy) (AAO: how often adults need eye exams)
AREDS2 formula, if you have intermediate AMD
StrongCut the risk of advanced AMD by about 25% over five years, in that group only. (NEI: who AREDS supplements help) (Cochrane: antioxidants for slowing AMD)
Not smoking
GoodOne of NEI's core steps for keeping eyes healthy. (NEI: everyday ways to keep eyes healthy)
UV-blocking sunglasses
GoodNEI advises lenses that block 99-100% of UVA and UVB. (NEI: everyday ways to keep eyes healthy)
Leafy greens, eggs and fish
GoodKale and spinach are top lutein sources; diet is the everyday route. (Review: lutein and zeaxanthin in foods) (NEI: everyday ways to keep eyes healthy)
20-20-20 breaks for screens
GoodEvery 20 minutes, look 20 feet away for 20 seconds; screen strain usually eases with rest. (AAO: screen time and eye strain tips)
Single ingredients (astaxanthin, bilberry)
WeakSmall or negative studies: bilberry failed rigorous night-vision trials. (Review: astaxanthin and the eye) (Systematic review: bilberry and night vision)
VisiFlora itself
No trialsNo published study; amounts are not published, so nothing can be compared. (FTC: health product advertising rules) (Brand advertorial, ACCESS Newswire)
Bar length shows how much published evidence supports each step for protecting your sight, based on the eye-health sources linked here. A reading aid, not a score from any one source.
On your plate
Which foods are richest in lutein and zeaxanthin?
Kale, spinach and parsley are among the richest sources of lutein. Corn and eggs give you both pigments, and lutein from eggs is easier for the body to absorb (Review: lutein and zeaxanthin in foods).
| Kale, spinach, parsley | Among the richest lutein sources (Review: lutein and zeaxanthin in foods) |
|---|---|
| Corn and eggs | Supply both lutein and zeaxanthin; egg lutein is more easily absorbed (Review: lutein and zeaxanthin in foods) |
| 1 cup cooked spinach | About 29.8 mg of lutein plus zeaxanthin (Linus Pauling Institute: carotenoids) |
| Typical daily intake | About 1 to 3 mg, below the 6 mg a day some researchers suggest (Review: lutein and zeaxanthin in foods) |
One cup of cooked spinach holds more lutein and zeaxanthin than the full AREDS2 daily dose. NEI lists leafy greens among its everyday steps for healthy eyes (NEI: everyday ways to keep eyes healthy).
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What should you ask your eye doctor about lutein?
Ask whether you have any signs of AMD, and if so, which stage. The answer decides whether a lutein formula makes sense for you at all (NEI: who AREDS supplements help).
- Do I have early, intermediate or late AMD, or none?
- Would an AREDS2 formula help me, given that stage?
- Do I already get enough lutein from what I eat?
- Is it fine to take VisiFlora on top of my other vitamins?
- When should my next dilated eye exam be?
Bring the bottle, since its label may show amounts the sales page leaves out. The Academy suggests a baseline eye exam at 40 (AAO: how often adults need eye exams).
The brand picture
Does the VisiFlora graphic say how much lutein is inside?
No. The brand's ingredient graphic names lutein and zeaxanthin from marigold, but it shows no milligrams. A brand-issued advertorial confirms that zinc is the only ingredient with a published amount (Brand advertorial, ACCESS Newswire).
See the full list on what the label lists, or compare every ingredient on the ingredients overview.
Keep exploring
Which other VisiFlora ingredients can you read about?
Each of the 21 named ingredients has a profile. Start with the next one, or jump to any group.
FAQ
Lutein and zeaxanthin questions
How much lutein is in VisiFlora?
The amount is not published. The sales page lists lutein and zeaxanthin from marigold but gives a number for zinc only (Sales page, tryvisiflora.com). Look at the Supplement Facts panel on your own bottle, and compare it with the 10 mg of lutein and 2 mg of zeaxanthin used in AREDS2 (NEI: AREDS and AREDS2 formula doses).
Do lutein supplements help people without AMD?
There is no good evidence that they do. In the AREDS trials, people with early AMD or no AMD got no benefit, and NEI says supplements cannot prevent AMD (NEI: who AREDS supplements help). A dilated eye exam is a better first step if you are worried about your eyes (NEI: everyday ways to keep eyes healthy).
What foods are high in lutein and zeaxanthin?
Kale, spinach and parsley are top sources of lutein, and corn and eggs supply both pigments (Review: lutein and zeaxanthin in foods). A cup of cooked spinach has about 29.8 mg of lutein plus zeaxanthin (Linus Pauling Institute: carotenoids). Eggs are worth noting, because the body absorbs their lutein more easily.
Does lutein help with cataracts?
Not in the major trial. In AREDS2, the supplements had no effect on cataract (NEI: AREDS and AREDS2 formula doses). A cataract is a cloudy lens, and surgery is the only way to get rid of one (NEI: cataracts). If your vision looks cloudy or dim, see an eye doctor rather than adding a capsule.
How much lutein do most people get from food?
Most people get about 1 to 3 mg a day, according to a 2017 review. That is below the 6 mg a day some researchers suggest (Review: lutein and zeaxanthin in foods). Adding leafy greens or eggs to a few meals a week is an easy way to raise your intake without a supplement.
Should I take lutein if I have intermediate AMD?
Ask your eye doctor about the full AREDS2 formula. In people with intermediate or late AMD, AREDS-type formulas lowered the risk of advanced AMD by about 25% over five years (NEI: who AREDS supplements help). Lutein alone had little or no effect (Cochrane: antioxidants for slowing AMD), and VisiFlora's amounts are not published.
Who wrote this
Written and reviewed by
Plain-language pages built from what the seller publishes and from linked eye-health sources.
Last updated . Read our editorial standards and how we check reviews. This website is run by a USA authorized VisiFlora retailer, not by the manufacturer. We earn money when you buy through our order links.
Keep reading
More about VisiFlora
What the label lists
No Supplement Facts panel is published. Here is what the seller lists, what is missing, and how to check your bottle.
Read moreChoosing an eye supplement
Read an eye-vitamin label, compare it with AREDS2, spot red flags and see where VisiFlora fits, without brand ratings.
Read more
What AREDS2 means
The AREDS2 formula in plain words: the six doses, who it helps, and why a label without amounts cannot match it.
Read moreUSA authorized VisiFlora retailer
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