# US 10,307,384 B2 · Zeaxanthin formulations with additional ocular-active nutrients, for protecting eye health and treating eye disorders > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,307,384 B2 - Document ID: US10307384B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/990,269 - Filed: 2018-05-25 - Published: 2018-09-27 - Granted: 2019-06-04 - Earliest claimed: 2003-03-10 - Assignees: ZeaVision LLC - Applicants: ZeaVision LLC - Inventors: Dennis L. Gierhart - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10307384B2 ## CPC - A61K 31/047: having two or more hydroxy groups, e.g. sorbitol - A23L 33/105: Plant extracts, their artificial duplicates or their derivatives - A23L 33/115: Fatty acids or derivatives thereof; Fats or oils - A23L 33/15: Vitamins - A61K 9/0048: {Eye, e.g. artificial tears} - A61K 31/07: Retinol compounds, e.g. vitamin A (retinoic acids A61K31/203) - A61P 27/00: Drugs for disorders of the senses - A23V 2002/00: Food compositions, function of food ingredients or processes for food or foodstuffs - A61K 9/0095: {Drinks; Beverages; Syrups; Compositions for reconstitution thereof, e.g. powders or tablets to be dispersed in a glass of water; Veterinary drenches (A61K9/0007 takes precedence; eatable gels or foams A61K9/0056; oral mucosa adhesive forms A61K9/006)} - A61K 9/20: Pills, tablets, {discs, rods (A61K9/0004, A61K9/0007, A61K9/0056, A61K9/0065 take precedence; for reconstitution of a drink A61K9/0095)} - A61K 9/48: Preparations in capsules, e.g. of gelatin, of chocolate {(A61K9/0004 takes precedence; bite capsules A61K9/0056)} - A61K: PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES (devices or methods specially adapted for bringing pharmaceutical products into particular physical or administering forms A61J3/00; chemical aspects of, or use of materials for deodorisation of air, for disinfection or sterilisation, or for bandages, dressings, absorbent pads or surgical articles A61L; soap compositions C11D) - A23L: FOODS, FOODSTUFFS OR NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; PREPARATION OR TREATMENT THEREOF (preservation thereof A23B) - A61P: SPECIFIC THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY OF CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS OR MEDICINAL PREPARATIONS - A23V: INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO FOODS, FOODSTUFFS OR NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES AND LACTIC OR PROPIONIC ACID BACTERIA USED IN FOODSTUFFS OR FOOD PREPARATION ## Abstract Oral formulations for promoting eye health, and in particular for preventing or treating macular degeneration, are disclosed, containing zeaxanthin, a carotenoid pigment, and at least two or more additional ocular-active nutrients selected from lipoic acid, omega-3 fatty acids, plant-derived compounds such as flavonoids, anthocyanins, or polyphenolics, taurine, carnitine, Coenzyme-Q10, carnosine, and nutrients that stimulate the production of glutathione. Processes are disclosed for identifying ocular-active nutrients that will interact in a synergistic and potentiating manner with zeaxanthin, to provide better and more effective protection, for eye health, than can be provided by zeaxanthin alone. Additional optional agents include zinc, vitamin E, and vitamin C. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A nutrient formulation for oral ingestion comprising: a. at least 3 mg of zeaxanthin where the zeaxanthin is present in the 3R-3R′ stereoisomer form and is substantially free of meso-zeaxanthin stereoisomers; b. at least one tocopherol that provides anti-oxidant activity; and c. vitamin C; wherein the nutrient formulation is provided in the form of a foodstuff. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The nutrient formulation of claim 1, wherein the nutrient formulation is provided in the form of a powder or a liquid that is added to a food or drink. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The nutrient formulation of claim 1, wherein the foodstuff is one selected from the group consisting of snack foods, energy or nutrition bars and mixes, beverages, canned or pouched food, and condiments. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The nutrient formulation of claim 1, further comprising zinc at a dosage that does not exceed 40 milligrams of elemental zinc. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The nutrient formulation of claim 1, wherein the foodstuff is a ready-to-eat. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The nutrient formulation of claim 1, further comprising lutein. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The nutrient formulation of claim 1, wherein vitamin C is in the form of absorbic acid. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The nutrient formulation of claim 1, further comprising at least one of lipoic acid and omega-3 fatty acids. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The nutrient formulation of claim 1, wherein the daily dosage of zeaxanthin is at least 10 milligrams. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The nutrient formulation of claim 1, wherein the nutrient formulation, when ingested, assists in reducing the harmful effect of blue light. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The nutrient formulation of claim 1, wherein the nutrient formulation is present in a form that provides sustained release over a span of at least 3 hours following ingestion. ### Claim 12 A nutrient formulation for oral ingestion for protecting a user's eyes from the harmful effect of blue light, the formulation comprising: a. zeaxanthin that is present in the 3R-3R′ stereoisomer form and is substantially free of meso-zeaxanthin stereoisomers; b. lutein; c. vitamin C; and d. mixed tocopherols; wherein the nutrient formulation is provided in the form selected from the group consisting of capsules, tablets, liquids, and powders for oral ingestion. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The nutrient formulation of claim 12, further comprising lipoic acid. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The nutrient formulation of claim 12, further comprising omega-3 fatty acids that are derived from fish oil. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The nutrient formulation of claim 12, wherein the nutrient formulation is present in a form that provides sustained release over a span of at least 3 hours following ingestion. ### Claim 16 (depends on 12) The nutrient formulation of claim 12, wherein the daily dosage of zeaxanthin is at least 10 milligrams. ### Claim 17 (depends on 12) The nutrient formulation of claim 12, wherein the formulation is in the form of capsules containing oily carrier materials. ### Claim 18 (depends on 12) The nutrient formulation of claim 12, wherein the mixed tocopherols include vitamin E. ### Claim 19 (depends on 12) The nutrient formulation of claim 12, further comprising plant-derived active agents comprising at least one of flavonoids, bioflavonoids, anthocyanins, plant polyphenolics, and phytonutrients. ### Claim 20 (depends on 12) The nutrient formulation of claim 12, further comprising zinc at a dosage that does not exceed 40 milligrams of elemental zinc. ### Claim 21 (depends on 12) The nutrient formulation of claim 12, wherein the user has macular degeneration and a lens-related disorder. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The nutrient formulation of claim 21, wherein the lens-related disorder is presbyopia. ### Claim 23 (depends on 12) The nutrient formulation of claim 12, further comprising at least one of taurine, carnitine and carnosine. ### Claim 24 (depends on 12) The nutrient formulation of claim 12, further comprising glutathione boosters.