Vitamin A + Carotenoids

• Provides preformed vitamin A, which bypasses genetic variations that limit conversion of betacarotene‡
• Supports optical lens health and macular pigment density‡
• Provides antioxidant defenses to protect retinal health‡

The ability to convert provitamin A carotenoids, like beta carotene, into active vitamin A varies from one person to the next, owing to genetic variations that can limit enzyme activity. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the gene encoding the enzyme BCMO1 (β-Carotene 15,15’- monooxygenase 1) can decrease the conversion efficacy of carotenoids into retinal, the immediate precursor of vitamin A, by up to 69%. These common variations can be bypassed with dietary retinol (vitamin A). Since variations in the BCMO1 gene have also been associated with macular pigment density, this formula includes a blend of lutein, zeaxanthin and astaxanthin to promote macular health. Lutein and zeaxanthin are the two carotenoids found in macular pigment; as such, they act to support the integrity and density of the pigment, as well as optical lens health. Astaxanthin offers support for antioxidant defenses to protect retinal health.