Lutein and Zeaxanthin Supplements Can Save the U.S. at Least $7 Billion in Eye-Disease Healthcare Costs

Lutein and zeaxanthin are key eye-health carotenoids that help maintain a healthy macular pigment by absorbing harmful blue light and protecting the eye against oxidative stress. A new economic report shows that taking specific dietary supplements can provide significant individual and societal healthcare savings by reducing the number of hospitalizations and other costly medical events associated with chronic diseases. This infographic demonstrates the cost savings that can be realized through the utilization of lutein and zeaxanthin dietary supplements among all U.S. adults over the age of 55 with age-related eye disease (ARED).

Click image above to view larger (or download original)

Courtesy of the Council for Responsible Nutrition Foundation (CRNF; Washington, DC), sourced from Frost & Sullivan’s 2013 report “Smart Prevention-Health Care Cost Savings Resulting from the Targeted Use of Dietary Supplements.”

For more infographics, visit www.supplementforsmartprevention.org

Nutritional Outlook Eye-Health Coverage

What dosage of lutein and zeaxanthin should supplement users take for optimal protection? The National Institutes of Health's five-year AREDS2 study, a follow-up to the original Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS), published last year, saw benefits with a 10 mg lutein and 2 mg zeaxanthin dose. Read more about the AREDS2 findings here.

Interested in learning more about zeaxanthin? Read our latest story here.