Lutein (Latin luteus meaning "yellow") is a Xanthophyll and one of 600 known naturally occurring Carotenoids. Lutein is synthesized only by plants and like other Xanthophylls is found in high quantities in green leafy vegetables such as Spinach, Kale and Yellow Carrots. In green plants, Xanthophylls act to modulate light energy and serve as non-photochemical quenching agents to deal with triplet Chlorophyll (an excited form of Chlorophyll), which is overproduced at very high light levels, during photosynthesis. Lutein may play a role in Haidinger's brush, an entoptic phenomenon that allows humans to detect polarized light.

Some foods which are considered as a good sources of the Lutein are Nasturtium (yellow flowers, lutein levels only), Kale (raw), Kale (cooked), Dandelion leaves (raw), Nasturtium (leaves, lutein levels only), Turnip greens (raw), Spinach (raw), Spinach (cooked), Swiss Chard (raw or cooked), Turnip Greens (cooked), Collard Greens (cooked), Watercress (raw), Garden Peas (raw), Romaine Lettuce, Zucchini, Brussels Sprouts, Pistachio Nuts, Broccoli, Carrot (cooked), Maize/Corn, Egg (hard boiled), Avocado (raw), Carrot (raw), and Kiwifruit.

Lutein is called a Carotenoid Vitamin. It is related to β-Carotene and Vitamin A. Foods rich in lutein include broccoli, spinach, kale, corn, orange pepper, kiwi fruit, grapes, orange juice, zucchini, and squash. Lutein is absorbed best when it is taken with a high-fat meal.

Many people think of lutein as “the eye vitamin.” They use it to prevent eye diseases including age-related macular degeneration (AMD), cataracts, and retinitis pigmentosa.

Some people also use it for preventing colon cancer, breast cancer, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease.

Many multivitamins contain lutein. They usually provide a relatively small amount of 0.25 mg per tablet.

Zeaxanthin is one of the most common carotenoid alcohols found in nature as colorants or pigment. It is important in the Xanthophyll cycle. Synthesized in plants and some micro-organisms, it is the pigment that gives Paprika (made from Bell Peppers), Corn, Saffron, Wolfberries, and many other plants and microbes their characteristic color. Foods considered good sources of Lutein and Zeaxanthin include Egg, Spinach, Goji Berry (Wolfberries), Kale, Turnip Greens, Collard Greens, Romaine Lettuce, Broccoli, Zucchini, Kiwifruit, Corn, Garden Peas, Swiss Chard and Brussels Sprouts. Zeaxanthin is found naturally in the body, predominantly in the eyes and brain.

Zeaxanthin is not "made" in the human body and must come from food or dietary supplements. Receiving adequate amounts of zeaxanthin through food can be particularly difficult, as it requires many servings a day of certain fruits and vegetables.

Only one Zeaxanthin form (3R, 3’R) is naturally found in fruits and vegetables and it is one the body prefers. It is also the only one that has been approved as a dietary supplement. Other forms, like meso-Zeaxanthin, cannot be considered a dietary supplement, as they are not found in our average diet. Meso-zeaxanthin is an isomer of zeaxanthin. It is not found in a daily diet, but it is found in the macula. Meso-zeaxanthin is produced from lutein in the eye when there is not enough 3R, 3’R zeaxanthin available to the eye. Meso-zeaxanthin production in the eye can falter with age.

Meso-zeaxanthin is available in dietary supplements, but more often than not, it isn't clearly labeled. There is limited clinical and safety information available on meso-zeaxanthin. The meso-zeaxanthin currently available in the dietary market has not been approved by the FDA.

Zeaxanthin is a main component of the macular pigment in the retina. Zeaxanthin is preferentially deposited over lutein in the center of the macular, the most important area for central vision. Zeaxanthin is also found in the brain and other organs.

The role played by the powerful antioxidant zeaxanthin in the eye is to sharpen central vision (the clearness with which objects stand out from their surroundings), reduce the effects of glare (blue light) and maintain healthy visual acuity. These important functions all take place in the fovea, located in the center of the macula of the human eye. This is where the body requires a steady supply of the macular pigment zeaxanthin. Individual levels of zeaxanthin in the body are strongly influenced by diet. Zeaxanthin cannot be produced by the human body and must come from dietary intake.