Home Ingredients Maizinol
Eye HealthAntioxidant

Maizinol

Zea mays
Evidence Level
Limited
2 Clinical Trials
5 Documented Benefits
2/5 Evidence Score

Maizinol is a branded corn-derived concentrate of the carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin extracted from yellow corn (Zea mays). Lutein and zeaxanthin are xanthophyll carotenoids that, together with meso-zeaxanthin, constitute the macular pigment of the retina, where they filter high-energy visible (blue) light and quench reactive oxygen species. Small amounts are also found in skin, though neither study cited on this page looked at skin. No published study has tested the Maizinol brand itself, and neither reference cited on this page is a Maizinol study. One is an observational study of macular pigment and vision under glare, in which nobody was given a supplement, and the other is a meta-analysis of generic lutein, zeaxanthin and meso-zeaxanthin supplements that found they raise macular pigment density. Nothing cited here tested skin or screen-related eye comfort.

Studied Dose No dose of Maizinol has been tested in a published study. Trials of generic lutein and zeaxanthin, of the kind pooled in the cited meta-analysis, have commonly used around 10 mg of lutein with 2 mg of zeaxanthin per day. Whether the corn-derived branded version behaves the same way has not been shown.
Active Compound Lutein and zeaxanthin xanthophyll carotenoids derived from corn.

Benefits

Raises Macular Pigment Density (Generic Carotenoids, Not Maizinol)

A meta-analysis of randomized trials (PubMed ID 27420092) found that supplements of generic lutein, zeaxanthin and meso-zeaxanthin raised macular pigment optical density compared with control. Those trials used generic carotenoids rather than Maizinol, and a higher pigment reading in the eye is a measurement, not proof of better everyday sight.

Supported by Trial 1

Visual Performance: Association Only, Not a Supplement Trial

The glare study cited here (PubMed ID 18296924) is observational: people who already had more macular pigment tended to do better on glare and light-sensitivity tests. No supplement was given and there was no control group, so it cannot show that taking lutein and zeaxanthin, or Maizinol, improves how you see in bright light.

Supported by Trial 2

Skin Protection: Not Tested in Any Cited Study

Neither study cited on this page measured skin at all, so any skin benefit from corn-derived lutein and zeaxanthin is unproven here. No supplement is a substitute for sunscreen, clothing or shade.

Supported by Trial 1, Trial 2

Antioxidant Activity Seen in the Lab

In laboratory tests these carotenoids soak up reactive oxygen molecules. That is test-tube chemistry: neither study cited on this page measured antioxidant status in people taking Maizinol or any other lutein supplement.

Supported by Trial 2

Screen-Time Eye Comfort: Not Studied Here

Neither study cited on this page involved screen users or measured eye comfort. Claims that Maizinol eases screen-related eye strain are not backed by the references listed here.

Supported by Trial 1, Trial 2

Mechanism of action

1

Blue Light Filtration

Lutein and zeaxanthin selectively absorb high-energy visible light in the 400-500 nm range. Their build-up as macular pigment is thought to cut the amount of short-wavelength light reaching the light-sensing cells at the back of the eye. This is the proposed explanation for how macular pigment works, not a measured benefit of Maizinol.

2

Singlet Oxygen Quenching

The conjugated polyene structure of these xanthophylls efficiently quenches singlet oxygen and scavenges peroxyl radicals, helping limit oxidative damage to lipid membranes in light-exposed tissues such as the macula and skin.

3

Selective Tissue Accumulation

Lutein and zeaxanthin are delivered to the retina via lipoproteins and bound by specific carriers including GSTP1, allowing selective accumulation in the macula. Smaller amounts also concentrate in skin and other tissues with high oxidative load.

4

Modulation of Inflammatory Signaling

In cell and animal experiments, lutein and zeaxanthin change some inflammation-related signals. Findings in cells and animals often do not carry over to people, and no human study cited on this page measured inflammation.

Clinical trials

1
Meta-Analysis of Generic Lutein and Zeaxanthin (Not Maizinol)

Pooled analysis of published trials of generic carotenoid supplements (PubMed ID 27420092)

Adults taking generic lutein, zeaxanthin or meso-zeaxanthin supplements in the pooled trials

Pooling the published trials, generic lutein, zeaxanthin and meso-zeaxanthin supplements increased macular pigment optical density compared with control. The products studied were not Maizinol, and the analysis looked at pigment density in the eye rather than showing better contrast sensitivity or faster glare recovery.

2
Macular Pigment and Glare: Observational Study, No Supplement Given

Observational study, not a trial (PubMed ID 18296924)

Healthy adults whose existing macular pigment was measured

People who already had more macular pigment tended to do better on glare and light-sensitivity tests. Nobody was given a supplement and there was no placebo group, so this study cannot show that taking lutein and zeaxanthin, or Maizinol, improves vision or protects eyes with age.

Side effects and drug interactions

Common Potential side effects

Generally well tolerated; high doses may cause mild skin yellowing (carotenodermia).
Mild gastrointestinal upset such as nausea may occur at high intakes.
Rare allergic reactions are possible with corn-derived ingredients.
Headache has been reported infrequently in trials of generic lutein and zeaxanthin; no safety data specific to Maizinol has been published.

Important Drug interactions

May modestly affect absorption of other fat-soluble carotenoids such as beta-carotene.
Bile acid sequestrants and orlistat can reduce absorption of lutein and zeaxanthin.
Possible additive effects with other antioxidant supplements; generally well tolerated.
Discuss use with a clinician if combined with retinoid medications or photosensitizing drugs.

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Frequently asked questions about Maizinol

What is Maizinol?

Maizinol is a branded corn-derived concentrate of the carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin extracted from yellow corn (Zea mays). Lutein and zeaxanthin are xanthophyll carotenoids that, together with meso-zeaxanthin, constitute the macular pigment of the retina, where they filter high-energy visible (blue) light and quenc…

What is Maizinol used for?

Maizinol is researched primarily for Eye Health and Antioxidant. A meta-analysis of randomized trials (PubMed ID 27420092) found that supplements of generic lutein, zeaxanthin and meso-zeaxanthin raised macular pigment optical density compared with control.

What is the recommended dosage of Maizinol?

The clinically studied dose is No dose of Maizinol has been tested in a published study. Trials of generic lutein and zeaxanthin, of the kind pooled in the cited meta-analysis, have commonly used around 10 mg of lutein with 2 mg of zeaxanthin per day. Always follow the product label and check with a healthcare provider for personal advice.

Is Maizinol safe, and does it have side effects?

For most healthy adults, Maizinol is well tolerated at studied doses. Reported effects can include: Generally well tolerated; high doses may cause mild skin yellowing (carotenodermia). Mild gastrointestinal upset such as nausea may occur at high intakes. It may also interact with some medications. Maizinol 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 Maizinol interact with any medications?

Possible interactions include: May modestly affect absorption of other fat-soluble carotenoids such as beta-carotene. Bile acid sequestrants and orlistat can reduce absorption of lutein and zeaxanthin. If you take prescription medication, check with a pharmacist or doctor before using it.

How strong is the scientific evidence for Maizinol?

NutraSmarts rates the evidence for Maizinol as Limited (2 out of 5). It is backed by 2 clinical trials and 2 cited references summarized on this page. A higher rating reflects more, larger, and better-designed human studies.

References(2 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. Stringham JM, Hammond BR. Macular pigment and visual performance under glare conditions. Optom Vis Sci. 2008;85(2):82-8. doi: 10.1097/OPX.0b013e318162266e.PubMedUsed to support: Observational study linking how much macular pigment a person already had to how well they saw under glare. No supplement was given, there was no control group, and Maizinol was not involved, so it shows an association only.
  2. 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;Nutrients. 2016;8(7):426..PubMedUsed to support: Meta-analysis of trials of generic lutein, zeaxanthin and meso-zeaxanthin, showing they increased macular pigment optical density compared with control. It pooled generic carotenoid supplements rather than Maizinol, and it measured pigment density rather than everyday vision.