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The mesozeaxanthin debate
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Since I’m just back from 4 long days in Las Vegas at Vision Expo West, I thought it would be appropriate to report on some of my observations.
Yes, the typical party atmosphere was abounding, and I had my share of fun but also spent long days at the booth for the Ocular Nutrition Society.
We had a pretty good turnout of docs and opticians walking by and asking questions. I was handing out our “executive summary” papers that give doctors a short overview of how to address eye diseases with nutrition. When I ask if they address nutrition with their patients, most said “yes.” That was great to hear, and it was also nice that they wanted to learn more.
One of the most common questions I heard was about mesozeaxanthin. For those who don’t know about “meso,” it is a carotenoid (similar to lutein and zeaxanthin) but is only found in the macula of the eye. While there is no doubt that meso exists in the macula, there is much controversy about the need to supplement with it. The science shows that meso is created from lutein (but not zeaxanthin). The company that has the patent on the product promotes one with lutein, zeaxanthin and mesozeaxanthin in it. Other companies contend that because meso is created internally within the eye and is not normally found in the diet, there is no reason to add it into a supplement. Additionally, lutein and zeaxanthin have dozens and dozens of studies, while meso has about eight – so it’s still “emerging science.”
As president of the ONS, I have a thin line to walk. Trying to be fair to both sides, I mostly suggest that doctors read the research themselves and make up their own minds. I’ve read the research on both sides of this issue, and both parties have valid points. Some of the scientists I’ve spoken with suggest that if you have enough lutein in your diet then you’ll make enough meso. I wish I could say that one side is right and the other is wrong, but it’s science, so it’s not that simple.
I guess my general philosophy at this point is: if you like a product and it happens to have meso in it, go ahead and recommend it. However, there is one study that suggests that supplementing with meso might shut down the conversion from lutein.
Guess we’ll have to see what the next study says.