Saffron, a natural zeaxanthin source. Credit: Marco Verch

A daily 20mg dietary-zeaxanthin supplement decreased unilateral neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) patients’ chances of developing AMD in the second eye by 54%, representing a potential 1,531% return-on-investment, reported US researchers.

At five-year follow-up, The Retina Center of St Louis County study team said their results showed people who benefitted from zeaxanthin supplementation maintained driving vision, while overall quality of life improved by 7.2%. If this supplement was given to the 114,000 US citizens who develop unilateral nAMD each year, it would generate a financial return to patients, insurers and the American public of US$6 billion above the cost of zeaxanthin supplementation over 11 years, said study authors. This 1,531% ROI is based on reduced medical, transportation, depression and trauma costs, decreased caregiver costs and extended facility costs, and improved vocational situations.

These are monumental savings, said co-author Dr Joseph Olk. “There are few paths we can take that will get us that kind of ROI and these kinds of patient outcomes. This model of care must become standard, in my opinion.”

The European Nutrition, Novel Foods and Food Allergens Panel recommends a 70kg adult not exceed 53mg/day of zeaxanthin – well above the 20mg daily dose used in this study, said co-author Dr Joseph Olk, and significantly more than the 2mg in the popular AREDS2 supplements.