Zeaxanthin isomers (mixed isomer blend) vs. Trans-Zeaxanthin (dietary isomer)
Among 385 on-market zeaxanthin products with an identifiable primary form, 71.4% use Zeaxanthin isomers (mixed isomer blend) (275 products) and 19.5% use Trans-Zeaxanthin (dietary isomer) (75).
| Zeaxanthin isomers (mixed isomer blend) | Trans-Zeaxanthin (dietary isomer) | |
|---|---|---|
| Quality tier | Unrated | Unrated |
| Zeaxanthin by weight | — | — |
| Share of market | 71.4% | 19.5% |
| On-market products | 275 | 75 |
| Median declared dose | 0.4 mg middle half: 0.4–1 | 0.15 mg middle half: 0.15–0.47 |
| Most common brands | GNC Mega Men, GNC Women's Ultra Mega, GNC Women's | Life Extension |
Doses are declared per serving in mg. “By weight” is the share of the ingredient that is the nutrient itself (e.g. elemental magnesium in a magnesium salt).
Why Zeaxanthin isomers (mixed isomer blend) is unrated
Label states only "isomers" with no declared isomer ratio, so the meso-zeaxanthin content (the part with trial evidence) is unknown; not ranked.
Why Trans-Zeaxanthin (dietary isomer) is unrated
The isomer naturally present in diet and macular pigment; it was a co-component (2 mg) in every verified trial and never tested alone at a defined dose, so it is not ranked.
Source: Sabour-Pickett S et al. 2014, Retina 34(9):1757-1766, PMID 24887490
Tiers summarize published comparative bioavailability or outcome evidence for each form (see methodology).
This page describes the market; it is not a recommendation to take either form. Talk to a clinician about what's right for you.