Zeaxanthin formulations with additional ocular-active nutrients,for protecting eye health and treating eye disorders

• US 11,045,431 B1
• Filed: 02/24/2021
• Issued: 06/29/2021
• Est. Priority Date: 03/10/2003
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Zeavision LLC
• Original Assignee: Zeavision LLC
• Inventors: Gierhart, Dennis L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Fay, Zohreh A
• Application Number:
  US17/249,238
• Publication Number:
  US 20210177772A1
• Time in Patent Office: 125 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A23L 33/105 Plant extracts, their artificial duplicates or their derivatives
• CPC Class Codes: A23L 33/115 Fatty acids or derivatives thereof; Fats or oils
• CPC Class Codes: A23L 33/15 Vitamins
• CPC Class Codes: A23V 2002/00 Food compositions, function of food ingredients or processes for food or foodstuffs
• CPC Class Codes: A23V 2250/1882 Polyunsaturated fatty acids
• CPC Class Codes: A23V 2250/211 Carotene, carotenoids
• CPC Class Codes: A23V 2250/708 Vitamin C
• CPC Class Codes: A23V 2250/712 Vitamin E
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 2300/00 Mixtures or combinations of active ingredients, wherein at least one active ingredient is fully defined in groups A61K31/00 - A61K41/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/047 having two or more hydroxy groups, e.g. sorbitol
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/07 Retinol compounds, e.g. vitamin A retinoic acids A61K31/203
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 9/0048 Eye, e.g. artificial tears
• CPC Class Codes: 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
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 9/20 Pills, tablets, discs, rods A61K9/0004, A61K9/0007, A61K9/0056, A61K9/0065 take precedence; for reconstitution of a drink A61K9/0095
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 9/48 Preparations in capsules, e.g. of gelatin, of chocolate A61K9/0004 takes precedence; bite capsules A61K9/0056
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 27/00 Drugs for disorders of the senses

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

1. A nutritional supplement for eye health, comprising:

a capsule or tablet for oral ingestion that comprises a composition comprising

(a) at least 0.5 mg of zeaxanthin, the zeaxanthin being present in the 3R-3R′

stereoisomer form and is substantially free of meso-zeaxanthin stereoisomers,

(b) zinc in an amount that does not exceed 40 mg,

(c) vitamin E, and

(d) vitamin C.

2. The nutritional supplement of claim 1, wherein the composition further comprises omega-3 fatty acids.

3. The nutritional supplement of claim 2, wherein the composition further comprises a lipoic acid.

4. The nutritional supplement of claim 3, wherein the composition further comprises lutein.

5. The nutritional supplement of claim 1, wherein the composition further comprises lutein.

6. The nutritional supplement of claim 5, wherein the composition further comprises omega-3 fatty acids.

7. The nutritional supplement of claim 5, wherein the composition further comprises mixed tocopherols.

8. The nutritional supplement of claim 1, wherein vitamin C is in the form of ascorbic acid.

9. The nutritional supplement of claim 1, wherein the capsule or table provides a daily dosage of the ingredients to the user that is released over a span of at least 3 hours following the oral ingestion.

10. The nutritional supplement of claim 1, wherein zeaxanthin is present in an amount of at least 10 milligrams.

11. The nutritional supplement of claim 1, wherein the composition contains an oily carrier material to enhance the uptake and bioavailability of the zeaxanthin.

12. The nutritional supplement of claim 1, wherein the composition further comprises at least one of taurine, carnitine and carnosine.

13. A nutritional supplement for eye health, comprising:

a capsule for oral ingestion that comprises a composition comprising

(a) an oily carrier material

(b) at least 0.5 mg of zeaxanthin, the zeaxanthin being present in the 3R-3R′

stereoisomer form and is substantially free of meso-zeaxanthin stereoisomers,

(b) zinc in an amount that does not exceed 40 mg,

(c) vitamin E, and

(d) vitamin C in the form of ascorbic acid.

14. The nutritional supplement of claim 13, wherein the composition further comprises omega-3 fatty acids.

15. The nutritional supplement of claim 14, wherein the omega-3 fatty acids include docosa-hexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosa-pentaenoic acid (EPA).

16. The nutritional supplement of claim 13, wherein the composition further comprises a lipoic acid.

17. The nutritional supplement of claim 13, wherein the oily carrier material enhances the uptake and bioavailability of the zeaxanthin.

18. The nutritional supplement of claim 13, wherein the composition further comprises lutein.

19. The nutritional supplement of claim 13, wherein the capsule provides a daily dosage of the ingredients to the user that is released over a span of at least 3 hours following the oral ingestion.

20. A nutritional supplement for eye health, comprising:

a capsule for oral ingestion that comprises a composition comprising

(a) omega-3 fatty acids including docosa-hexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosa-pentaenoic acid (EPA),

(b) at least 0.5 mg of zeaxanthin, the zeaxanthin being present in the 3R-3R′

stereoisomer form and is substantially free of meso-zeaxanthin stereoisomers,

(c) zinc in an amount that does not exceed 40 mg,

(d) vitamin E, and

(e) vitamin C in the form of ascorbic acid.