Posted on 09/17/2025 9:27:00 PM PDT by ConservativeMind
In a new study, researchers discovered that zeaxanthin, a plant-derived carotenoid best known for protecting vision, may also act as an immune-boosting compound by strengthening the cancer-fighting activity of immune cells. The findings highlight the potential of zeaxanthin as a widely available supplement to improve the effectiveness of cancer immunotherapies.
The study builds on years of work by Chen's lab to better understand how nutrients influence the immune system. By screening a large blood nutrient library, the team identified zeaxanthin as a compound that directly enhances the activity of CD8+ T cells, a crucial type of immune cell that kills tumor cells. These cells rely on a molecular structure called the T-cell receptor (TCR) to recognize and destroy abnormal cells.
The researchers found that zeaxanthin stabilizes and strengthens the formation of TCR complex on CD8+ T cells upon interacting with the cancer cells. This, in turn, triggers more robust intracellular signaling that boosts T-cell activation, cytokine production, and tumor-killing capacity.
In mouse models, dietary supplementation with zeaxanthin slowed tumor growth. Importantly, when combined with immune checkpoint inhibitors—a type of immunotherapy that has transformed cancer treatment in recent years—zeaxanthin significantly enhanced anti-tumor effects compared to immunotherapy alone.
To extend the findings, the researchers tested human T cells engineered to recognize specific tumor antigens and found that zeaxanthin treatment improved these cells' ability to kill melanoma, multiple myeloma, and glioblastoma cells in laboratory experiments.
"Our data show that zeaxanthin improves both natural and engineered T-cell responses, which suggests high potential for patients undergoing immunotherapies," Chen said.
Zeaxanthin is sold as a supplement for eye health, and is naturally found in vegetables like orange peppers, spinach, and kale. It's inexpensive, widely available, well-tolerated and, most importantly, its safety profile is known—which means it can be safely tested as an adjunct to cancer therapies.
(Excerpt) Read more at medicalxpress.com ...
I have been getting a small handful a day for a couple years, now.
It helps your immune cells.
I take xeaxanthin every day alomg with 8 other supplements.
I have been taking astaxanthin and zeaxanthin for about 4 years along with several other supplements targeting my cataracts. Cataracts about 75% improved.
When my partner and my brother were suffering from prostate and metastatic liver cancer respectively, I started doing a lot of searching for nutritional helps for their cancers. I found promising information for astaxanthin as it was reported it caused cancer cells to have a shorter natural life before dying (apoptosis), and caused normal tissue to live longer. Perhaps one reason my lenses are not deteriorating but improving. At any rate I gave them both astaxanthin along with their other supplements. I will have to see my old purchase order to see if zeaxanthin was included with the astaxantin I was providing. At any rate I would definitely urge anyone with cancer or cataracts to take both. I am taking 10 mg astaxanthin morning and evening, along with the 4 mg zeaxanthin contained with the capsules.
I used to buy astaxanthin at Walmart, but recently I have found NO ASTA in any of the 3 Walmarts I go to regularly. I also seldom find the Quercetin 500 mg. with zinc 50 mg that they have sold in the past. I wonder if some drug company is leaning on them to stop providing these important nutrients that help cancer, cataracts, and Covid-19
For my cataracts, in addition to the numerous other vitamins, minerals, and supplements I have added over the last 50+ years (I am 87 now), I also take bilberry, blueberry, lutein 20 mg,, and eyebright. In addition to avoiding the surgery my doctor said I would need, there has been another strange improvement. I had slowly shrunk over the years from 5’5” to 5’3”. My height had stabilized at 5’3” for around 6 or 8 years as I doubled my boron from 3 to 6 mg per day, and increased calcium and magnesium. However, for the last 2 years, Kaiser Permanent which has been my medical server for the past 20 years says I am now 5’4”. The main difference is that for the past 4 years I have been taking the listed supplements for my cataracts. When I have my annual physical in December I will see if that growth has been maintained, and whether a possible improvement in my kidney GFR has actually improved (stage 3).
This sounds very interesting, thanks!
Goji berries. Be aware that Goji berries from China may have high levels of heavy metals and pestacides. I think that there are some U.S. Goji plantations and sources available.
Other food sorces of zeaxanthin:
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8755795/
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/zeaxanthin#top-food-sources
Snip..."Zeaxanthin is found naturally in a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables. Dark, leafy green veggies are especially rich in zeaxanthin. Other sources include:persimmons
tangerines
corn
egg yolksScientific sources typically list zeaxanthin- and lutein-containing foods in one category, not separately. This may be because of how they function together and that lutein can be converted into meso-zeaxanthin.
Other foods rich in zeaxanthin and lutein (per 100 grams) are:
spinach, raw: 12.2 milligrams (mg)
pistachios, raw: 2.9 mg v green peas, raw: 2.5 mg
romaine lettuce, raw: 2.3 mg
summer squash, boiled: 2.3 mg
Brussels sprouts, boiled: 1.3 mg
broccoli, raw: 1.4 mg
pumpkin, boiled: 1.0 mg
asparagus, boiled: 0.8 mgTrusted Source
carrots, raw: 0.3 mgYou may be able to consume 5 to 10 mg of zeaxanthin and lutein combined through your diet alone by eating a variety of whole foods, including:
orange bell pepper
corn
eggs
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