What is Meso-Zeaxanthin?
What is Meso-Zeaxanthin?
Meso-zeaxanthin and zeaxanthin are known as carotenoids. Carotenoids are plant-based pigments and some of nature's best antioxidants. They are known for their chemical and biological properties and are especially effective for disease prevention. Zeaxanthin is a plant-based micronutrient that can be found in leafy green vegetables like spinach, kale, and broccoli. Meso-zeaxanthin is also a micronutrient, found in the skins of fish like trout as well as in marigold flowers. Our body can create meso-zeaxanthin on its own by converting another antioxidant carotenoid called lutein, also found in leafy green vegetables.
When these three carotenoids are combined, they become much more powerful than they are on their own individually. They help neutralize dangerous free radicals, fight inflammation, and reduce oxidative stress in the eyes and brain. All three carotenoids protect the eyes and brain and are proven to support cognitive function, memory, sight, and mood. They have also been increasingly linked to the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer’s, dementia, and other neurodegenerative brain diseases. Studies show that individuals with high concentrations of carotenoids and omega-3s in their brain demonstrate much better cognitive function while patients with Alzheimer's disease are usually deficient in these nutrients.
Meso-Zeaxanthin’s Role In The Eye And Brain
Meso-zeaxanthin, zeaxanthin, and lutein are collectively referred to as macular pigment or macular carotenoids because they accumulate in the macula of the eye, located in the center of the eye's retina. Carotenoids contribute to overall eye health and are most well known for their help in the prevention and treatment of Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD).
Recently, these three carotenoids have been found to exist in the brain and have health benefits beyond the eye, such as reducing the risks of coronary heart disease, stroke, and metabolic syndrome. New research further demonstrates the positive impact they have on brain health by contributing to better cognition, memory, and the prevention of dementia and Alzheimer's disease. Much of this is due to the carotenoids' ability to penetrate the blood-brain barrier, which only allows necessary substances to reach the brain. Because the three carotenoids actually exist in the brain, they are able to cross the blood-brain barrier and directly affect it, something many brain-targeted micronutrients cannot do.
PRO TIP: When taking any form of supplement for brain health, make sure it is able to cross the blood-brain barrier!
As these carotenoids appear in the macula, they can be easily quantified by measuring what scientists call “macular pigment optical density” or MPOD. This makes it easier for medical professionals to determine which supplements are effective and optimal and makes research into the value of carotenoid supplementation more accepted and trusted.
Getting Enough Meso-Zeaxanthin in Your Diet
It is virtually impossible to consume enough meso-zeaxanthin, zeaxanthin, and lutein through diet alone, even when eating healthy. Plus, our eyes and brain require a specific amount of the three carotenoids in order to function optimally. Because of this, many scientists now say that supplementation is necessary to receive optimal levels of carotenoids. The best, specially-formulated, scientifically-proven supplement on the market containing meso-zeaxanthin, zeaxanthin, and lutien is Memory Health.
In a recent interview, carotenoid researcher Professor Riona Mulcahy said, "The difficulty is that to get the amount of these nutrients that you need per day to achieve these [optimal] results, isn't possible from your normal, everyday diet. For example, you would need to eat 200,000 trout to get the amount of one of the carotenoids found in Memory Health called meso-zeaxanthin. We know a healthy diet helps, but the unique Memory Health formulation gives you the right amount to give the results that you need.”
Meso-Zeaxanthin is a Critical Brain Micronutrient
There is significant research that supports supplementation with meso-zeaxanthin (along with zeaxanthin and lutein) is effective for reducing brain oxidation and inflammation and minimizing cellular damage and brain disease in aging populations. These carotenoids also promote the rebuilding of healthy cell membranes, which are critical for brain connections that support healthy memory, cognition, and mental health.
Memory Health uses an all-natural, patented formula of lutein, zeaxanthin, and meso-zeaxanthin, combined with omega-3s (DHA and EPA) and natural vitamin E. It is also the only brain supplement currently on the market to receive a patent for the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.
Diet alone cannot supply enough or the right balance of carotenoids so supplementation is key. Memory Health delivers a special formulation of scientifically-proven nutrients directly to the brain to preserve, promote, and support long-term brain health.
A Carotenoid Supplement for Eye and Brain Health
In addition to 10 mg of Meso-Zeaxanthin, Memory Health® also contains the carotenoids Zeaxanthin and Lutein, the Omega-3s DHA and EPA, and Natural Vitamin E. It is clinically proven to support cognitive function, memory, and long-term brain health. Memory Health® is patented for the prevention and treatment of neurodegenerative disease, specifically Alzheimer's and dementia. It has been clinically proven to improve cognitive functions in individuals with Mild Cognitive Impairment, and its benefits include improvement in sight, cognition, memory, focus, and mood.
Learn More