Home Ingredients OPTISHARP™ Natural Zeaxanthin (Kemin/DSM)
Eye Health

OPTISHARP™ Natural Zeaxanthin (Kemin/DSM)

Tagetes erecta
Evidence Level
Very Strong
2 Clinical Trials
5 Documented Benefits
5/5 Evidence Score

OPTISHARP™ Natural is natural zeaxanthin sourced from marigold flowers — co-marketed by Kemin and DSM (Kemin's ZeaOne® source provides the zeaxanthin used in DSM's OPTISHARP™ Natural). Distinguished by natural (not synthetic) source, distinct from many zeaxanthin products which use synthetic forms. Used in eye health formulations, particularly combined with FloraGLO® Lutein for AREDS2-style protocols.

Studied Dose 2 mg/day OPTISHARP Natural (typically combined with 10 mg FloraGLO Lutein)
Active Compound Zeaxanthin (RR-zeaxanthin) from Tagetes erecta marigold flowers

Benefits

AREDS2 Foundation Component

Zeaxanthin is one of two macular carotenoids studied in AREDS2 (with lutein). Reduces progression of intermediate to advanced AMD.

Supported by Trial 1

Macular Pigment Density

Zeaxanthin co-localizes with lutein in macula; specifically concentrated in central macula (foveal region). Combined lutein + zeaxanthin supplementation maximizes macular pigment effects.

Supported by Trial 1, Trial 2

Blue Light Filtering

Zeaxanthin filters blue light at retinal level; protects photoreceptors from light-induced damage.

Supported by Trial 1, Trial 2

Natural vs Synthetic Distinction

OPTISHARP Natural is natural-source zeaxanthin from marigolds (RR-zeaxanthin form); distinguishes from many zeaxanthin products which use synthetic mixed-isomer forms.

Supported by Trial 2

Combined with FloraGLO Lutein for Eye Health

Standard AREDS2-style combination: 10 mg FloraGLO Lutein + 2 mg OPTISHARP Natural Zeaxanthin daily. Foundation for evidence-based eye health.

Supported by Trial 1, Trial 2

Mechanism of action

1

Macular Pigment Concentration (Foveal)

Zeaxanthin is preferentially concentrated in central foveal region of macula (where most acute vision occurs). Lutein concentrates in peripheral macula. Combined provide comprehensive macular protection.

2

Blue Light Antioxidant

Same mechanism as lutein — absorbs high-energy blue light; quenches reactive oxygen species in retina.

3

Natural RR-Zeaxanthin Form

Natural zeaxanthin from marigolds is the RR-isomer (matches the form in retinal tissue). Synthetic zeaxanthin contains mixed isomers including SS and RS forms not naturally found in retina.

4

Photoreceptor Protection

Direct protection of rod and cone photoreceptors from oxidative damage.

Clinical trials

1
AREDS2 — Lutein + Zeaxanthin for AMD
PubMed

Same AREDS2 trial as FloraGLO entry — combined lutein + zeaxanthin evaluation.

4,203 participants ages 50-85.

Reduced progression to advanced AMD with lutein + zeaxanthin vs no carotenoids. Foundation of evidence-based eye nutrition.

2
Maternal/Infant Carotenoid Study — NIH Funded

First NIH-funded clinical study on pregnant mothers and babies supplemented with FloraGLO Lutein and OPTISHARP Natural Zeaxanthin.

Pregnant mothers and their infants.

Significant improvement in maternal and infant carotenoid levels.

Side effects and drug interactions

Common Potential side effects

Generally extremely well-tolerated.
Mild GI distress (rare).
Yellowing of skin at very high doses (carotenoderma) — harmless.
Allergic reactions to marigold rare.

Important Drug interactions

Generally minimal drug interactions.
Statins — possible modest interactions.
Bile acid sequestrants — may reduce carotenoid absorption.
Pregnancy — generally safe; widely studied.
Lactation — safe; naturally present in breast milk.
Children — safe.

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Frequently asked questions about OPTISHARP™ Natural Zeaxanthin (Kemin/DSM)

What is OPTISHARP Natural Zeaxanthin?

Optisharp™ Natural is natural zeaxanthin sourced from marigold flowers — co-marketed by Kemin and DSM (Kemin's ZeaOne® source provides the zeaxanthin used in DSM's Optisharp™ Natural). Distinguished by natural (not synthetic) source, distinct from many zeaxanthin products which use synthetic forms.

What is OPTISHARP Natural Zeaxanthin used for?

OPTISHARP Natural Zeaxanthin is researched primarily for Eye Health. Zeaxanthin is one of two macular carotenoids studied in AREDS2 (with lutein). Reduces progression of intermediate to advanced AMD.

What is the recommended dosage of OPTISHARP Natural Zeaxanthin?

The clinically studied dose is 2 mg/day Optisharp Natural (typically combined with 10 mg FloraGLO Lutein) Always follow the product label and check with a healthcare provider for personal advice.

Is OPTISHARP Natural Zeaxanthin safe, and does it have side effects?

For most healthy adults, OPTISHARP Natural Zeaxanthin is well tolerated at studied doses. Reported effects can include: Generally extremely well-tolerated. Mild GI distress (rare). It may also interact with some medications. OPTISHARP Natural Zeaxanthin 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 OPTISHARP Natural Zeaxanthin interact with any medications?

Possible interactions include: Generally minimal drug interactions. Statins — possible modest interactions. If you take prescription medication, check with a pharmacist or doctor before using it.

How strong is the scientific evidence for OPTISHARP Natural Zeaxanthin?

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

References(5 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 (AREDS2) 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 used OPTISHARP Zeaxanthin (DSM) as its zeaxanthin source (2 mg/day with 10 mg lutein). Primary analysis was null for further reduction in advanced AMD progression, but lutein/zeaxanthin was supported as a safer replacement for beta-carotene. Directly relevant to OPTISHARP's clinical provenance.
  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. Secondary analyses of the effects of lutein/zeaxanthin on age-related macular degeneration progression: AREDS2 report No. 3. JAMA Ophthalmol. 2014;132(2):142-149. doi: 10.1001/jamaophthalmol.2013.7376.PubMedUsed to support: Secondary AREDS2 analysis: lutein/zeaxanthin (incl. OPTISHARP zeaxanthin) reduced advanced-AMD progression vs beta-carotene and helped those with low dietary intake. Supports zeaxanthin-containing formulations while being honest that the overall primary endpoint was not met.
  3. Richer SP, Stiles W, Graham-Hoffman K, Levin M, Ruskin D, Wrobel J, Park DW, Thomas C. Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of zeaxanthin and visual function in patients with atrophic age-related macular degeneration: the Zeaxanthin and Visual Function Study (ZVF) FDA IND #78,973. Optometry. 2011;82(11):667-680.e6. doi: 10.1016/j.optm.2011.08.008.PubMedUsed to support: ZVF RCT (n=60, atrophic AMD): zeaxanthin 8 mg/day raised macular pigment optical density comparably to lutein and improved foveal cone-based visual function (acuity, shape discrimination). Supports zeaxanthin for macular pigment/eye health; small, predominantly male sample.
  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):426. doi: 10.3390/nu8070426.PubMedUsed to support: Meta-analysis of 20 RCTs (938 AMD patients, 826 healthy): xanthophyll supplementation (lutein/zeaxanthin/meso-zeaxanthin) significantly increased macular pigment optical density in both groups, with larger effects at higher doses and longer duration. Supports the core MPOD-raising mechanism for zeaxanthin.
  5. Ma L, Yan SF, Huang YM, Lu XR, Qian F, Pang HL, Xu XR, Zou ZY, Dong PC, Xiao X, Wang X, Sun TT, Dou HL, Lin XM. Effect of lutein and zeaxanthin on macular pigment and visual function in patients with early age-related macular degeneration. Ophthalmology. 2012;119(11):2290-7. doi: 10.1016/j.ophtha.2012.06.014.PubMedUsed to support: Double-masked RCT in early AMD: lutein and lutein+zeaxanthin significantly increased macular pigment optical density, with associated gains in visual acuity and contrast sensitivity. Supports zeaxanthin (with lutein) for macular pigment and visual function in early disease.