Kemin Launches Dietary, Free-Form of Zeaxanthin From Marigolds

09 Aug 2013 --- Kemin, pioneer of FloraGLO brand Lutein, is extending its eye health expertise with the launch of ZeaONE - a dietary, free-form zeaxanthin ingredient naturally sourced from marigolds. Zeaxanthin, like lutein, acts as a protective antioxidant in the eye and is proven to promote eye health.

Scientific evidence shows that supplementing our diets with lutein and zeaxanthin daily keeps our eyes healthy, improves visual performance and helps reduce the risk of certain eye conditions. The latest findings from the National Eye Institute’s second age-related eye disease study (AREDS2) also report that 2 mg of zeaxanthin, along with 10 mg of FloraGLO Lutein, can slow the progression of age-related macular degeneration.

The human body does not produce the dietary zeaxanthin and lutein it needs daily, so it’s essential to get these nutrients through diet and/or supplementation. “Getting 2 mg of zeaxanthin every day through diet alone can be incredibly difficult,” said Heather Richardson, Kemin product manager. “In fact, most Americans consume only 10 percent of the zeaxanthin and lutein needed each day to protect their eyes and keep them healthy. ZeaONE is an easy way to help bridge the zeaxanthin gap and provide our customers with a naturally sourced, high-quality zeaxanthin ingredient.”

The zeaxanthin in ZeaONE comes from a patented line of hybrid marigolds exclusively licensed to Kemin* and containing high levels of the zeaxanthin carotenoid. The zeaxanthin ingredient manufactured by Kemin provides the free-form of zeaxanthin found in most fruits and vegetables and does not contain zeaxanthin esters. Dietary, free-form of zeaxanthin, like ZeaONE, differs from zeaxanthin esters, which first must be de-esterified by the body. This requires an enzymatic process that can vary greatly among individuals and affect absorption.

“Additionally, some zeaxanthin sources may be identified as ’zeaxanthin isomers’ or  simply ‘zeaxanthin’ when they are purposely formulated to contain 3R,3’S-meso-zeaxanthin, a zeaxanthin isomer that is synthesized and not present in common dietary sources,” said Tatania Emmick, Kemin technical manager. “Meso-zeaxanthin is quite different from dietary zeaxanthin. It is not supported by the same body of scientific evidence as dietary zeaxanthin and is not a suitable replacement.”

With the patent-protected, hybrid marigold flowers, tightly controlled supply-chain management, good agricultural practices and the Kemin name behind it, naturally sourced ZeaONE offers customers the same exceptional quality and service they’ve come to expect from FloraGLO.