New Health Care Cost Savings Study Reinforces Importance of Lutein and Zeaxanthin Supplementation

A new study from Frost & Sullivan concludes that daily supplementation with lutein and RR zeaxanthin could save $7.3 billion (€6.2 billion) in age-related macular degeneration healthcare costs per year in Europe. ¹

The new study complements and confirms a previous analysis for cost savings from age-related eye diseases if at-risk individuals supplemented with the recommended amounts of 10 mg dietary lutein and 2 mg RR zeaxanthin. In North America, it's estimated that AMD will affect approximately 20 million adults by 2020. ²

A 2013 Frost & Sullivan report in the United States estimated $7.42 billion in cumulative net health care savings from 2013 to 2020 if older adults at risk for age-related eye diseases would adopt recommendations for lutein and zeaxanthin supplementation. ³

The findings from the new study concluded that daily supplementation with lutein and zeaxanthin could offer a dramatic return on investment for the cost of supplementation. For every $1.17 (€1) spent on daily supplementation, $5.88 (€5.01) can be saved in avoided health care expenditures.

How much lutein and (RR) zeaxanthin do Americans consume?

Americans consume only 0.8 to 1.1 mg of dietary lutein and zeaxanthin per day. ⁴ Only 4 percent of adults over the age of 55 regularly consume lutein and zeaxanthin supplements. ⁶

Protecting Eyes From Blue Light Overexposure

The new economic analysis comes at a time when Americans' eyes are increasingly exposed to excess blue light from smartphones, tablets and computers. Sixty percent of Americans use digital devices more than 5 hours a day. ⁷ Among Americans in their 20s, nearly 9 out of 10 people use two or more devices simultaneously. ⁷

Lutein and zeaxanthin are the only dietary nutrients in the eye's macular pigment that filter excess blue light. The human body doesn't naturally produce these nutrients, so it's necessary to get them from foods or supplements. Building macular pigment through lutein and RR zeaxanthin supplementation is a proven and economically viable recommendation.

Seeing the Future

Saving eyesight is more important than saving money. But when compelling evidence indicates that both can be achieved, consuming sufficient dietary or supplemental lutein and zeaxanthin - like FloraGLO ^® Lutein and ZeaONE ^® Zeaxanthin - is a well-supported and proactive measure to protect eye health.