Eye Health Supplements Meet Claims

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.Dietary supplements marketed for eye health generally contain the labeled amounts of the active ingredients lutein and zeaxanthin, according to a new report from ConsumerLab.com, although the inclusion levels vary widely. According to the organization, daily doses range from 2 mg to 20 mg of lutein and from zero to 16 mg for zeaxanthin; the company also evaluated supplements containing astaxanthin. All products passed laboratory testing confirming the listed amounts of lutein, zeaxanthin and/or astaxanthin, lack of lead contamination, and proper tablet disintegration.

ConsumerLab includes the names of companies involved in the review in its general news release, but doesnt indicate which ones passed or failed testing, nor the levels of active ingredients in the products. However, the reports with complete findings are available for purchase from ConsumerLab. The eye health report also includes information about the AREDS formula, which has been evaluated for its impact on age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in studies supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and compares products tested by ConsumerLab with similar formulations to the AREDS formula.

The report on eye health products provides findings for 10 products randomly selected for testing, as well as six additional products that passed the same testing under ConsumerLab.coms Voluntary Certification Program, whereby companies can pay to have their products tested by ConsumerLab. It also includes information about two products similar to those tested but sold under different brand names.