--- title: "Effects of a Lutein and Zeaxanthin Intervention on Cognitive…" description: "Lutein and zeaxanthin supplements may improve memory, reasoning, and attention in young adults." url: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d29135938.md" canonical: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d29135938.html" html: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d29135938.html" type: "study" study_key: "d29135938" journal: "Nutrients" year: 2017 pmid: "29135938" doi: "10.3390/nu9111246" citations: 1 updated: 2026-09-02 author: "Gabriel Radu, DO" author_credentials: "Physiatrist (PM&R). NY medical license 275110. NPI 1376861765." publisher: "Magellan Longevity" content_format: "markdown" --- # Effects of a Lutein and Zeaxanthin Intervention on Cognitive Function: A Randomized, Double-Masked, Placebo-Controlled Trial [Home](https://magellanlongevity.com/) › [Research map](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-research-map.html) › Effects of a Lutein and Zeaxanthin Intervention on… **HTML version:** https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d29135938.html · **In the Magellan app:** https://magellanlongevity.com/#/study/d29135938 ## Citation | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Journal | Nutrients | | Year | 2017 | | PMID | [29135938](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29135938/) | | DOI | [10.3390/nu9111246](https://doi.org/10.3390/nu9111246) | | Study key | d29135938 | ## Takeaway Lutein and zeaxanthin supplements may improve memory, reasoning, and attention in young adults. ## The question Can supplementation with lutein (L) and zeaxanthin (Z) improve cognitive function in young, healthy adults? ## Hypothesis The study hypothesized that L + Z supplementation would improve cognitive function in young adults, based on previous findings in older adults. ## Methods Fifty-one young, healthy adults (age 18-30) were randomized into an active supplement group (n=37) or a placebo group (n=14). Macular pigment optical density (MPOD) and cognitive function, measured using the CNS Vital Signs platform, were assessed every four months over a one-year supplementation period. ## Results Supplementation with L + Z significantly increased MPOD over the year compared to placebo. This daily supplementation and the increase in MPOD led to significant improvements in spatial memory, reasoning ability, and complex attention, beyond what could be attributed to practice effects. ## Conclusion Lutein and zeaxanthin supplementation can increase central nervous system xanthophyll levels and improve cognitive function in young, healthy adults. ## Limitations The abstract does not explicitly state any limitations of the study. ## Verbatim from the abstract > Supplementation with L + Z improves CNS xanthophyll levels and cognitive function in young, healthy adults ## Where this study is used on Magellan This paper is one of the citations behind the evidence grade on the pages below. Grades are assigned from the published research and are independent of affiliate commissions. | Compound or device | Evidence grade | Graded pages | | --- | --- | --- | | Targeted Organ-Support Nutrients | Emerging evidence | [NOVOS Vital Organ Support](https://magellanlongevity.com/p/14.md) | | Lutein and Zeaxanthin | Strong evidence | [Lutein and Zeaxanthin](https://magellanlongevity.com/p/120.md) | ## Reference 1. **Effects of a Lutein and Zeaxanthin Intervention on Cognitive Function: A Randomized, Double-Masked, Placebo-Controlled Trial** Nutrients 2017 · [PMID 29135938](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29135938/) · [DOI 10.3390/nu9111246](https://doi.org/10.3390/nu9111246) > Supplementation with L + Z improves CNS xanthophyll levels and cognitive function in young, healthy adults ## Structured data ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"MedicalWebPage","@id":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d29135938.html#page","url":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d29135938.html","name":"Effects of a Lutein and Zeaxanthin Intervention on Cognitive Function: A Randomized, Double-Masked,…","description":"Lutein and zeaxanthin supplements may improve memory, reasoning, and attention in young adults.","inLanguage":"en","isPartOf":{"@type":"WebSite","name":"Magellan Longevity","url":"https://magellanlongevity.com/"},"author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Gabriel Radu, DO","jobTitle":"Physiatrist (PM&R)","identifier":[{"@type":"PropertyValue","name":"NPI","value":"1376861765"},{"@type":"PropertyValue","name":"NY medical license","value":"275110"}]},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Magellan Longevity","url":"https://magellanlongevity.com/"},"encoding":{"@type":"MediaObject","encodingFormat":"text/markdown","contentUrl":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d29135938.md"},"dateModified":"2026-09-02"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https://magellanlongevity.com/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Research map","item":"https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-research-map.html"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Effects of a Lutein and Zeaxanthin Intervention on…","item":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d29135938.html"}]},{"@type":"ScholarlyArticle","@id":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d29135938.html#study","name":"Effects of a Lutein and Zeaxanthin Intervention on Cognitive Function: A Randomized, Double-Masked, Placebo-Controlled Trial","headline":"Effects of a Lutein and Zeaxanthin Intervention on Cognitive Function: A Randomized, Double-Masked,…","datePublished":"2017","isPartOf":{"@type":"Periodical","name":"Nutrients"},"identifier":"PMID:29135938","url":"https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29135938/","sameAs":"https://doi.org/10.3390/nu9111246","abstract":"Lutein and zeaxanthin supplements may improve memory, reasoning, and attention in young adults."}]} ``` ## Related on Magellan Longevity - [Lutein and Zeaxanthin](https://magellanlongevity.com/p/120.md) — product graded on this and related evidence - [NOVOS Vital Organ Support](https://magellanlongevity.com/p/14.md) — product graded on this and related evidence - [Supplementing Glycine and N-Acetylcysteine (GlyNAC) in Older Adults Improves Glutathione…](https://magellanlongevity.com/study/glutathione_glynac.md) - [Association between vitamin D supplementation and mortality: systematic review and…](https://magellanlongevity.com/study/vitd_mortality.md) - [Efficacy of vitamin D supplementation on cancer mortality: systematic review and…](https://magellanlongevity.com/study/x6.md) - [Longevity research map](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-research-map.html) - [Evidence-based longevity supplements](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-supplements.md) ## Scope and disclosures Educational information, not medical advice. Nothing here is intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Talk to your physician before starting any supplement or device, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medication. Editorial firewall: evidence grades are assigned from the published research and are independent of any affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate, Magellan Longevity earns from qualifying purchases. Reviewed for accuracy by a board-certified physician (DO).