Home Ingredients Macu-LZ™ (Lutein and Zeaxanthin Isomers — Kemin)
Eye Health

Macu-LZ™ (Lutein and Zeaxanthin Isomers — Kemin)

Tagetes erecta
Evidence Level
Moderate
3 Clinical Trials
3 Documented Benefits
3/5 Evidence Score

Macu-LZ™ is a marigold-derived carotenoid ingredient from Kemin that supplies lutein together with zeaxanthin isomers, meaning RR-zeaxanthin and RS (meso)-zeaxanthin, the three carotenoids that make up the eye's macular pigment. Kemin recommends 12 to 24 mg a day, as 10 mg lutein with 2 mg zeaxanthin isomers or 20 mg lutein with 4 mg zeaxanthin isomers, so meso-zeaxanthin is a small part of each dose. No published trial has tested Macu-LZ itself; the evidence comes from similar amounts of lutein and zeaxanthin from other sources. Pooled data from 20 randomized trials show these carotenoids raise macular pigment density, and two 1-year trials in healthy young adults using 10 mg lutein with 2 mg zeaxanthin reported better recovery from bright-light glare. In the large AREDS2 eye study, adding 10 mg lutein and 2 mg zeaxanthin did not significantly slow progression in the main analysis but was a safer replacement for beta-carotene.

Studied Dose Maker's recommended range 12 to 24 mg a day (10 mg lutein + 2 mg zeaxanthin isomers, or 20 mg + 4 mg). Trials of similar products used 10 mg lutein + 2 mg zeaxanthin, or 20 mg + 4 mg, daily for 1 year or longer.
Active Compound Lutein, RR-zeaxanthin and RS (meso)-zeaxanthin from marigold (Tagetes erecta), standardized to 10 mg lutein with 2 mg zeaxanthin isomers, or 20 mg lutein with 4 mg zeaxanthin isomers, per daily dose.

Benefits

Macular pigment density (MPOD)

An analysis pooling 20 randomized trials found that lutein, zeaxanthin and meso-zeaxanthin supplements raised macular pigment optical density in both healthy adults and people with age-related macular changes, with larger rises at higher doses. Trials using 10 mg lutein with 2 mg zeaxanthin raised it within a year. None of these trials used Macu-LZ itself.

Supported by Trial 3, Trial 2

Glare recovery and contrast vision

In a 1-year trial in 115 healthy young adults, 10 mg lutein with 2 mg zeaxanthin raised macular pigment and improved recovery from bright light and color contrast, though glare tolerance did not change significantly. A second 1-year trial using a lutein and zeaxanthin isomers blend at the same amounts also improved glare performance.

Supported by Trial 2, Trial 3

Lutein and zeaxanthin in the AREDS2 eye study

AREDS2 gave 10 mg lutein with 2 mg zeaxanthin to 4,203 older adults at risk of advanced age-related macular degeneration. In the main analysis it did not significantly slow progression, but exploratory analyses favored it over beta-carotene, which was linked to more lung cancer in former smokers.

Supported by Trial 1

Mechanism of action

1

Macular pigment formation

Lutein, zeaxanthin and meso-zeaxanthin from the diet or supplements collect in the macula, the center of the retina, where they form the yellow macular pigment. Supplementation raises its optical density in a dose-related way.

2

Light filtering and antioxidant action

Macular pigment absorbs short-wavelength blue light before it reaches the photoreceptors and has antioxidant properties. Trial authors suggest both actions may explain the better glare and bright-light performance seen as pigment density rises.

Clinical trials

1
AREDS2: Lutein + Zeaxanthin Added to the AREDS Formula
PubMed

Multicenter, randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled phase 3 trial with a 2 x 2 factorial design: lutein 10 mg + zeaxanthin 2 mg, DHA + EPA, both, or placebo, on top of the AREDS formula or its variations; median follow-up 5 years. Not a trial of Macu-LZ. (Age-Related Eye Disease Study 2 Research Group 2013, JAMA)

4,203 adults aged 50 to 85 at risk of advanced age-related macular degeneration (large drusen in both eyes, or large drusen in one eye and advanced disease in the other).

The primary analysis showed no statistically significant reduction in progression with lutein + zeaxanthin versus placebo (HR 0.90, P=0.12). More lung cancers occurred with beta-carotene than without it (2.0% versus 0.9%), mostly in former smokers, so the authors suggested lutein + zeaxanthin as a replacement carotenoid. Later exploratory analyses favored lutein + zeaxanthin over beta-carotene.

2
Lutein + Zeaxanthin and Visual Performance in Young Adults (1-Year RCT)
PubMed

Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of lutein 10 mg + zeaxanthin 2 mg daily for 1 year; measures every 3 months. Several authors were employees of DSM Nutritional Products. Not a trial of Macu-LZ. (Hammond et al. 2014, Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci)

115 young, healthy adults (57 lutein + zeaxanthin, 58 placebo).

Macular pigment optical density rose versus placebo at all retinal positions measured. Photostress recovery time and chromatic contrast improved significantly versus placebo. Glare disability did not improve significantly.

3
Lutein + Zeaxanthin Isomers and Glare Performance (1-Year RCT)
PubMed

Double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of 10 mg lutein + 2 mg total zeaxanthin (1 mg RR-zeaxanthin + 1 mg meso-zeaxanthin), or 20 mg + 4 mg, versus placebo for 12 months. Funded by OmniActive Health Technologies; the product tested was not Macu-LZ. (Stringham et al. 2016, Eye Vis (Lond))

59 healthy young adults, mean age 21.7 (24 on the 10 + 2 mg dose, 25 on 20 + 4 mg, 10 on placebo).

Both doses raised macular pigment optical density versus placebo at 6 and 12 months (P<0.001), and photostress recovery and glare disability thresholds improved versus placebo (P<0.001). The placebo group was small.

Side effects and drug interactions

Common Potential side effects

In the AREDS2 10-year follow-up, lung cancer risk was not significantly raised with lutein and zeaxanthin (odds ratio 1.15), unlike beta-carotene (odds ratio 1.82).
The trials cited here lasted 1 to about 5 years at 10 mg lutein with 2 mg zeaxanthin; safety of higher amounts over longer periods is less studied.

Important Drug interactions

No medication interactions were reported in the trials cited here; if you take regular medications, ask your pharmacist before adding a supplement.
Current or former smokers: choose lutein and zeaxanthin formulas over beta-carotene; AREDS2 linked beta-carotene, not lutein and zeaxanthin, to more lung cancer.

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Frequently asked questions about Macu-LZ™ (Lutein and Zeaxanthin Isomers — Kemin)

What is Macu-LZ?

Macu-LZ™ is a marigold-derived carotenoid ingredient from Kemin that supplies lutein together with zeaxanthin isomers, meaning RR-zeaxanthin and RS (meso)-zeaxanthin, the three carotenoids that make up the eye's macular pigment.

What is Macu-LZ used for?

Macu-LZ is researched primarily for Eye Health. An analysis pooling 20 randomized trials found that lutein, zeaxanthin and meso-zeaxanthin supplements raised macular pigment optical density in both healthy adults and people with age-related macular changes, with larger rises at higher do…

What is the recommended dosage of Macu-LZ?

The clinically studied dose is Maker's recommended range 12 to 24 mg a day (10 mg lutein + 2 mg zeaxanthin isomers, or 20 mg + 4 mg). Trials of similar products used 10 mg lutein + 2 mg zeaxanthin, or 20 mg + 4 mg, daily for 1 year or longer. Always follow the product label and check with a healthcare provider for personal advice.

Is Macu-LZ safe, and does it have side effects?

For most healthy adults, Macu-LZ is well tolerated at studied doses. Reported effects can include: In the AREDS2 10-year follow-up, lung cancer risk was not significantly raised with lutein and zeaxanthin (odds ratio 1.15), unlike beta-carotene (odds ratio 1.82). It may also interact with some medications. Macu-LZ is not right for everyone, so check with a healthcare provider first if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have a medical condition, or take prescription medication.

Does Macu-LZ interact with any medications?

Possible interactions include: No medication interactions were reported in the trials cited here; if you take regular medications, ask your pharmacist before adding a supplement. If you take prescription medication, check with a pharmacist or doctor before using it.

How strong is the scientific evidence for Macu-LZ?

NutraSmarts rates the evidence for Macu-LZ as Moderate (3 out of 5). It is backed by 3 clinical trials and 7 cited references summarized on this page. A higher rating reflects more, larger, and better-designed human studies.

References(7 citations)

Evidence ratings on NutraSmarts are based on the totality of human clinical research, with emphasis on randomized controlled trials, meta-analyses, and systematic reviews. The references below directly support claims made throughout this page.

  1. Age-Related Eye Disease Study 2 Research Group. Lutein + zeaxanthin and omega-3 fatty acids for age-related macular degeneration: the Age-Related Eye Disease Study 2 (AREDS2) randomized clinical trial. JAMA. 2013;309(19):2005-15. doi: 10.1001/jama.2013.4997.PubMedUsed to support: AREDS2, randomized placebo-controlled trial in 4,203 adults at risk of advanced AMD: adding lutein 10 mg + zeaxanthin 2 mg to the AREDS formula did not significantly reduce progression to advanced AMD in the primary analysis (HR 0.90, P=0.12); more lung cancers occurred with beta-carotene, mostly in former smokers, so lutein + zeaxanthin was proposed as a replacement. Did not test Macu-LZ.
  2. Age-Related Eye Disease Study 2 (AREDS2) Research Group, Chew EY, Clemons TE, Sangiovanni JP, Danis RP, Ferris FL 3rd, Elman MJ, Antoszyk AN, Ruby AJ, Orth D, Bressler SB, Fish GE, Hubbard GB, Klein ML, Chandra SR, Blodi BA, Domalpally A, Friberg T, Wong WT, Rosenfeld PJ, Agrón E, Toth CA, Bernstein PS, Sperduto RD; Age-Related Eye Disease Study 2 (AREDS2) Research Group. Secondary analyses of the effects of lutein/zeaxanthin on age-related macular degeneration progression: AREDS2 report No. 3. JAMA Ophthalmol. 2014;132(2):142-9. doi: 10.1001/jamaophthalmol.2013.7376.PubMedUsed to support: AREDS2 Report 3, exploratory secondary analyses: lutein/zeaxanthin versus none gave HR 0.90 (95% CI 0.82 to 0.99) for late AMD, and lutein/zeaxanthin versus beta-carotene gave HR 0.82 (0.69 to 0.96). Exploratory results, not the primary outcome.
  3. Chew EY, Clemons TE, Agrón E, Domalpally A, Keenan TDL, Vitale S, Weber C, Smith DC, Christen W; AREDS2 Research Group. Long-term Outcomes of Adding Lutein/Zeaxanthin and ω-3 Fatty Acids to the AREDS Supplements on Age-Related Macular Degeneration Progression: AREDS2 Report 28. JAMA Ophthalmol. 2022;140(7):692-698. doi: 10.1001/jamaophthalmol.2022.1640.PubMedUsed to support: AREDS2 Report 28, 10-year follow-up of 3,882 participants: lung cancer odds ratio 1.82 for those assigned beta-carotene versus 1.15 (not significant) for lutein/zeaxanthin; lutein/zeaxanthin versus beta-carotene HR 0.85 for late AMD.
  4. Ma L, Liu R, Du JH, Liu T, Wu SS, Liu XH. Lutein, Zeaxanthin and Meso-zeaxanthin Supplementation Associated with Macular Pigment Optical Density. Nutrients. 2016;8(7). doi: 10.3390/nu8070426.PubMedUsed to support: Meta-analysis of 20 randomized controlled trials (938 people with AMD and 826 healthy people): lutein, zeaxanthin and meso-zeaxanthin supplementation raised macular pigment optical density in both groups, with a dose-response relationship and larger rises when meso-zeaxanthin was included.
  5. Hammond BR, Fletcher LM, Roos F, Wittwer J, Schalch W. A double-blind, placebo-controlled study on the effects of lutein and zeaxanthin on photostress recovery, glare disability, and chromatic contrast. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2014;55(12):8583-9. doi: 10.1167/iovs.14-15573.PubMedUsed to support: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled 1-year trial in 115 healthy young adults: lutein 10 mg + zeaxanthin 2 mg raised serum levels and macular pigment and improved photostress recovery and chromatic contrast; glare disability did not change significantly.
  6. Stringham JM, O'Brien KJ, Stringham NT. Macular carotenoid supplementation improves disability glare performance and dynamics of photostress recovery. Eye Vis (Lond). 2016;3:30. doi: 10.1186/s40662-016-0060-8.PubMedUsed to support: Double-blind, placebo-controlled 1-year trial in 59 healthy young adults: 10 mg lutein + 2 mg zeaxanthin isomers (1 mg RR + 1 mg meso) or 20 mg + 4 mg raised macular pigment and improved photostress recovery and glare thresholds versus placebo. Funded by OmniActive; not Macu-LZ.
  7. Kemin Industries. Macu-LZ™ Lutein & Zeaxanthin Isomers. Kemin product information. 2024;Product page, accessed October 2026..SourceUsed to support: Maker's product information (not PubMed-indexed): Macu-LZ contains lutein, RR-zeaxanthin and RS (meso)-zeaxanthin from marigold, with a recommended 12 to 24 mg a day as 10 mg lutein + 2 mg zeaxanthin isomers or 20 mg + 4 mg. Sources the composition and dose only.