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Lutemax 2020

Award-winning, and IP-protected Lutemax 2020 is a naturally derived marigold extract delivering clinically backed lutein and zeaxanthin isomers.

Brain & Cognition Eye & Visual Performance Mood & Stress Sleep

Differentiating with Lutemax 2020

Lutemax 2020 is a patented extract containing all three nutritionally relevant macular carotenoids—lutein, RR-zeaxanthin, and RS (meso)-zeaxanthin—in a similar 5:1 ratio as found in the diet. Naturally derived from marigold flowers (Tagetes erecta) using non-GMO seeds, Lutemax 2020 is more than just a premium extract. It represents a commitment to a fully integrated supply chain to ensure a high-quality, reliable, and sustainably sourced ingredient.

OmniActive's Lutemax 2020 is the only ingredient delivering all of these advantages for your premium formulations:

  • Patented ingredient delivering all three nutritionally relevant macular carotenoids in a natural dietary 5:1 ratio
  • Manufactured using a single proprietary extraction process
  • Backed by 10 clinical study publications*16
  • FDA-notified GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) status
  • USP and Non-GMO Project Verified SKUs available
  • Produced through a fully vertically integrated supply chain for sustainability, traceability, and continuity of supply
  • Manufactured in BRC (GFSI) and cGMP certified facilities
  • Vegetarian, kosher, and halal certified
  • Available in oil suspension for softgels and gummies or 100% vegetarian Versabead Technology beadlets, making Lutemax 2020 well-suited for capsules, tablets, gummies, chews, powders, RTMs, RTDs, shots, squeeze packs, and beyond

Connect with our experts to explore how this ingredient can elevate your next formulation.

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Regional Availability
  • N. America
  • EU
  • AMEA
  • ANZ

Science Overview

Out of more than 600 carotenoids found in nature, the three macular carotenoids—lutein, RR-zeaxanthin, and RS (meso)-zeaxanthin—have garnered considerable attention for their role in maintaining eye health and visual performance as well as supporting brain and skin health.

There is a growing consensus that the macular carotenoids are conditionally essential nutrients, which means that while they are necessary for eye and brain development, and can only be obtained through diet or supplementation, they are not yet considered essential in micronutrient classification. Poor dietary intake, increased blue light exposure, and lifestyle changes are driving a greater need to supplement with these important nutrients to ensure adequate levels throughout life. Lutemax 2020 research highlights the relevance of macular carotenoids for benefits important to today’s consumers including:

Better Bioavailability & Rapid MPOD Increase

Lutemax 2020 significantly increased serum lutein and zeaxanthin levels and improved macular pigment optical density (MPOD) in as little as eight weeks.*13

Visual Performance & Macular Health

In multiple studies, Lutemax 2020 consistently improved contrast sensitivity, enhanced photostress recovery, reduced glare sensitivity, and supported visual processing speed in healthy subjects.*2,3

Blue Light Exposure Support

In a randomised clinical trial with young adults with high digital screen exposure, Lutemax 2020 improved visual performance, reduced glare discomfort, decreased eye strain and fatigue, and reduced headache frequency.*4

Sleep Quality

Blue light plays a role in regulating sleep/wake cycles. Lutemax 2020 significantly improves sleep quality in subjects exposed to prolonged blue light from digital devices.*4

Cognitive Performance & Brain Health

Supplementation increased BDNF levels and improved composite memory, verbal memory, sustained attention, psychomotor speed, and processing speed in healthy young adults.*5

Stress & Mood Support

Subjects supplementing with Lutemax 2020 experienced significant reductions in psychological stress, serum cortisol, and markers associated with emotional and physical strain.*6

Children (Ages 5–12)

In the first completed clinical study of its kind, Lutemax Kids† increased serum lutein, zeaxanthin, and BDNF levels and MPOD, supported visual processing speed, reduced eye strain and fatigue from digital devices, and improved attention, focus, episodic memory, visuospatial memory, and visual processing speed vs placebo.*7†

Learn more about Lutemax Kids

Skin Health

In a 12-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled parallel study, supplementation with 10 mg lutein and 2 mg zeaxanthin isomers from Lutemax Skinglo† improved overall skin tone, skin lightening and brightening, and skin protection vs placebo.*8

Learn more about Lutemax Skinglo

Safety

The safety of Lutemax 2020 has been established through in vitro, animal, and human studies, supporting its FDA-notified GRAS status.

The OmniActive difference means clinical expertise.

Speak with our experts to learn more about the scientific research behind this ingredient.

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Technology

Macular carotenoids, including lutein and zeaxanthin isomers, are naturally sensitive compounds that can degrade when exposed to light, heat, oxygen, and processing conditions. Versabead microencapsulation technology helps address this by protecting the actives in Lutemax 2020, supporting shelf life and improving dispersibility, which is an important factor for bioavailability and nutrient absorption.

What does this mean for your formulation?

Greater stability = greater reliability

Protection of lutein and zeaxanthin isomers helps maintain labeled potency throughout shelf life, reducing the risk of degradation and costly overages.

Improved formulation flexibility

Enhanced stability and dispersibility allow brands to confidently formulate into popular delivery formats such as capsules, tablets, gummies, chews, powders, RTMs, RTDs, squeeze packs without compromising quality.

Maintaining Consumer Trust

Stronger quality positioning is reinforced when labeled potency is maintained, giving your consumer confidence they are receiving a reliable, clinically studied ingredient and giving you a competitive advantage in a rapidly expanding category.

From seed to shelf, Lutemax ingredients are produced through a fully vertically integrated supply chain. Premium marigolds grown from non-GMO seeds support sustainability, traceability, and continuity of supply, while your partnership contributes to improving farming communities in rural India through OmniActive’s Improving Lives Foundation.

Discover how we are creating lasting impact and uplifting communities

Vertically Integrated Supply Chain — Seed to Shelf

1
Non-GMO
Seeds
2
Marigold
Farming
3
Proprietary
Extraction
4
Versabead
Technology
5
Certified
Manufacturing
6
Your
Formulation
Gummies & Chews
Softgels
Tablets & Capsules
Powders & Sticks
RTMs & RTDs
Squeeze Packs

Your partnership contributes to improving farming communities in rural India through OmniActive’s Improving Lives Foundation. Discover how we are creating lasting impact and uplifting communities.

The OmniActive difference means innovation and solutions.

Our team is ready to support your most complex formulation challenges.

Contact Us to Find Out More

Consumer Site

lutemax.com

To read more on the Lutemax portfolio, or if you would like to find out how we are building consumer and HPC awareness

Visit lutemax.com

Be Featured

If you are a brand formulating with Lutemax 2020 and would like to be featured on our site

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† Lutemax 2020 10 mg lutein and 2 mg zeaxanthin isomers

* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

References

  1. Juturu V, Bowman JP, Stringham NT, Stringham JM. Bioavailability of lutein/zeaxanthin isomers and macular pigment optical density response to macular carotenoid supplementation: A randomized double-blind placebo controlled study. New Front Ophthalmol. 2016;2(4):140–145.
  2. Stringham JM, O'Brien KJ, Stringham NT. Macular carotenoid supplementation improves disability glare performance and dynamics of photostress recovery. Eye Vis. 2016;3:30.
  3. Stringham JT, O'Brien KJ, Stringham NT. Contrast sensitivity and lateral inhibition are enhanced with macular carotenoid supplementation. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2017;58(4):2291–2295.
  4. Stringham JM, Stringham NT, O'Brien KJ. Macular carotenoid supplementation improves visual performance, sleep quality, and adverse physical symptoms in those with high screen time exposure. Foods. 2017;6(7):47.
  5. Stringham NT, Holmes PV, Stringham JM. Effects of macular xanthophyll supplementation on brain-derived neurotrophic factor, pro-inflammatory cytokines, and cognitive performance. Physiol Behav.
  6. Stringham NT, Holmes PV, Stringham JM. Supplementation with macular carotenoids reduces psychological stress, serum cortisol, and sub-optimal symptoms of physical and emotional health in young adults. Nutr Neurosci. 2017.
  7. Parekh R, Hammond BR & Chandradhara D. Lutein and Zeaxanthin Supplementation Improves Dynamic Visual and Cognitive Performance in Children: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Parallel, Placebo-Controlled Study. Adv Ther (2024).
  8. Palombo P, Fabrizi G, Ruocco V, et al. Beneficial long-term effects of combined oral/topical antioxidant treatment with lutein and zeaxanthin on human skin. Skin Pharmacol Physiol. 2007.