Safety Profile
Known Safety Concerns
- Skin yellowing at very high doses -- harmless
- No established UL
- Competes with other carotenoids at very high doses
- Extremely safe at typical supplement doses
Contraindications
- Skin yellowing at very high doses -- harmless
- No established UL
Interactions
Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.
Evidence and Scientific Findings
Ingredient Overview
Zeaxanthin is a carotenoid antioxidant co-located with lutein in the macular pigment. Used alongside lutein in AREDS2-based formulations for eye health. Excellent safety profile. Often combined with lutein (10 mg lutein + 2 mg zeaxanthin). No established UL. Skin yellowing at very high doses.
Biological and Chemical Classification
- Scientific Name
- Zeaxanthin from Tagetes erecta (marigold)
Mechanism of Action
Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.
Clinical Evidence of Effectiveness
Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.
Pharmacokinetics
Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.
Recommended Dosage
Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.
SETI — Scientific Evidence Transparency Index
Executive Summary — Ingredient Assessment
- 10 studies reviewed
- 0 high-quality studies (meta-analysis or RCT)
- Main clinical benefit observed: Botanical
- Evidence consistency: High consistency across studies (100%)
- Skin yellowing at very high doses -- harmless
- No established UL
- Competes with other carotenoids at very high doses
- Extremely safe at typical supplement doses
The available scientific evidence for Zeaxanthin indicates notable safety signals that warrant caution. Use should be considered carefully and monitored, particularly in sensitive populations or alongside other medications.
Total SETI Score
High risk| Evidence quality | 10/40 |
| Evidence consistency | 20/20 |
| Safety signals | 0/20 |
| Study recency | 9/10 |
| Evidence transparency | 9/10 |
Evidence Summary
- 10 studies reviewed
- 0 high-quality studies (meta-analysis or systematic review)
- 0 studies identified benefits or no safety concern (GREEN)
- 10 studies reported limited or advisory safety evidence (YELLOW)
Evidence Policy
Only peer-reviewed scientific literature indexed in PubMed or comparable databases is included in this evaluation. Commercial websites, blogs, and marketing materials are excluded. All references include direct traceable links to source documents.
Last updated: 25 მარ 2026, 17:34
Evidence Distribution
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWConsuming primarily egg dishes and eggs as ingredients among U.S. adolescents is associated with greater usual nutrient intakes compared with not consuming… ↗Morales-Juu00e1rez A et al.. Consuming primarily egg dishes and eggs as ingredients among U.S. adolescents is associated with greater usual nutrient intakes compared with not consuming eggs.. J Nutr. 2026. PMID:41861914.PMID 41861914 ↗Journal J NutrYear 2026Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41861914/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWThe Cu2082Hu2082-type zinc finger transcription factor PpZAT10 mediates abscisic acid-induced carotenoid accumulation in yellow peach. ↗Xiao X et al.. The Cu2082Hu2082-type zinc finger transcription factor PpZAT10 mediates abscisic acid-induced carotenoid accumulation in yellow peach.. Int J Biol Macromol. 2026. PMID:41833679.PMID 41833679 ↗Journal Int J Biol MacromolYear 2026Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41833679/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWDietary Effects of Carotenoid-Biofortified Wheat on Feed Conversion and Tissue Antioxidant Concentrations in Broiler Chickens. ↗Szmek J et al.. Dietary Effects of Carotenoid-Biofortified Wheat on Feed Conversion and Tissue Antioxidant Concentrations in Broiler Chickens.. Foods. 2026. PMID:41829130.PMID 41829130 ↗Journal FoodsYear 2026Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41829130/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWGene-Editing-Mediated Enhancement of Carotenoid Compound Accumulation in Common Wheat Grains. ↗Guo Y et al.. Gene-Editing-Mediated Enhancement of Carotenoid Compound Accumulation in Common Wheat Grains.. Foods. 2026. PMID:41829090.PMID 41829090 ↗Journal FoodsYear 2026Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41829090/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWWhile end-of-production sole-source lighting at a moderate intensity increased nutrient, water-soluble vitamin, and carotenoid content, the anthocyanin concentration of red leaf lettuce… ↗Brewer D et al.. While end-of-production sole-source lighting at a moderate intensity increased nutrient, water-soluble vitamin, and carotenoid content, the anthocyanin concentration of red leaf lettuce decreased.. Front Plant Sci. 2026. PMID:41799965.PMID 41799965 ↗Journal Front Plant SciYear 2026Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41799965/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWPhytochrome-dependent photosynthetic and antioxidant responses of tomato under shaded conditions induced by red/far-red light ratios. ↗Pashkovskiy P et al.. Phytochrome-dependent photosynthetic and antioxidant responses of tomato under shaded conditions induced by red/far-red light ratios.. Plant Sci. 2026. PMID:41796709.PMID 41796709 ↗Journal Plant SciYear 2026Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41796709/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWLoss of qE Does Not Necessarily Lead to Photoinhibition: Sustained Non-Photochemical Quenching in the Absence of PsbS and Zeaxanthin. ↗Cainzos M et al.. Loss of qE Does Not Necessarily Lead to Photoinhibition: Sustained Non-Photochemical Quenching in the Absence of PsbS and Zeaxanthin.. Plant Cell Environ. 2026. PMID:41796089.PMID 41796089 ↗Journal Plant Cell EnvironYear 2026Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41796089/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWPhotooxidation Dynamics of Lipofuscin in the Presence of Carotenoid-Binding Protein AstaP: Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging and Pigment Composition Analysis. ↗Arkhipchenko AA et al.. Photooxidation Dynamics of Lipofuscin in the Presence of Carotenoid-Binding Protein AstaP: Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging and Pigment Composition Analysis.. J Phys Chem B. 2026. PMID:41777091.PMID 41777091 ↗Journal J Phys Chem BYear 2026Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41777091/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWXanthophyll-Rich Extracts from Garcinia dulcis Pulp as Potential Anti-Hepatocellular Carcinoma Functional Food. ↗Kholili U et al.. Xanthophyll-Rich Extracts from Garcinia dulcis Pulp as Potential Anti-Hepatocellular Carcinoma Functional Food.. Nutrients. 2026. PMID:41754187.PMID 41754187 ↗Journal NutrientsYear 2026Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41754187/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWCarrot. ↗Carrot.. 2006. PMID:30000953.PMID 30000953 ↗Year 2006Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30000953/
Score Transparency
0 of 10 approved references (score saturates at 10). More peer-reviewed studies = stronger evidence base.
Method: Q = number of approved references ÷ 10 (capped at 1.0)
Limited — mostly case reports or animal studies
Method: L = mean study-level weight across approved references. Level 1 (meta-analysis / systematic review) = 1.0; Level 2 (RCT) = 0.8; Level 3 (cohort/case-control) = 0.6; Level 4 (case report) = 0.4; Level 5 (animal / in-vitro) = 0.2.
Mixed or neutral — roughly equal benefit and risk signals
Method: D = (sum of risk-scored references − sum of benefit-scored references) ÷ total evidence score, then scaled from [−1, 1] to [0, 1]. 0.0 = pure benefit; 0.5 = neutral; 1.0 = pure risk.
One or more monitoring-level safety signals active
Method: S = 0.5 (neutral baseline) + sum of active signal severity deltas ÷ 10. Severity deltas: Critical = +2.0, High = +1.5, Moderate = +1.0, Low = +0.5. Capped at 1.0.
Final GIRI Score for Zeaxanthin. Risk level thresholds: Low 0–3.0 · Moderate 3.0–5.5 · High 5.5–7.5 · Critical 7.5–10.
Full methodology & data sources
The GIRI Score is computed entirely from structured data — no editorial scoring or subjective weighting is applied at any step.
- References: Only approved references are counted. Each reference is assigned an evidence level (L1–L5) and a direction (risk / neutral / benefit) by the reference manager or AI classifier.
- Safety Signals: Sourced from regulatory agencies (FDA, EMA, Health Canada, TGA, and others) and pharmacovigilance databases. Only active signals count toward the score.
- Formula version: GIRI Score v3.7.0 — Q × L × D × S × 10.
- Limitations: The score reflects published evidence and recorded signals as of the last update date. It is not a clinical risk assessment and should not replace advice from a qualified healthcare professional.
Risk Level Classification
Based on available regulatory signals and scientific evidence, this ingredient presents a low safety concern under normal conditions of use.
0–3.0
3.0–5.5
5.5–7.5
7.5–10
The score pin shows exactly where this ingredient falls on the fixed risk scale.
What drove the Low classification for Zeaxanthin
A score of 2.0 places this ingredient in the Low band. Thresholds: Low 0–3.0 · Moderate 3.0–5.5 · High 5.5–7.5 · Critical 7.5–10.
0 approved references.
Limited — mostly case reports or animal studies (Level 4–5).
Neutral or mixed — benefit and risk signals roughly balanced.
No active signals — S component is at neutral baseline (0.5), contributing no extra risk weight.
No major regulatory restrictions or advisories recorded across monitored jurisdictions (FDA, EMA, Health Canada, TGA, and others).
How are the Low / Moderate / High / Critical thresholds defined?
The four risk levels are fixed score bands. A score is assigned to exactly one level based on where it falls:
| Level | Score | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| LOW | 0.0 – 2.9 | Sparse or predominantly beneficial evidence. No active safety alerts. |
| MODERATE | 3.0 – 5.4 | Mixed signals — some risk alongside benefit. Caution at high doses or in sensitive groups. |
| HIGH | 5.5 – 7.4 | Multiple studies or regulatory alerts documenting adverse effects. Professional oversight recommended. |
| CRITICAL | 7.5 – 10 | Regulatory restrictions in one or more major jurisdictions. Serious documented harm. Avoid without specialist supervision. |
Thresholds are fixed constants (GIRI_Score_Utils::LEVEL_THRESHOLDS). They do not change per ingredient and are never subject to editorial adjustment.