In alignment with Healthy Vision Month in May, Cepham is debuting Luteye, a branded ingredient that combines lutein and zeaxanthin with extra virgin olive oil, enriched with oleocanthal, which the company said is used to combat the effects of aging on eyes.
“By the time the symptoms of eye aging become apparent, it is often too late to take corrective action,” said Anand Swaroop, founder and president of Cepham. “This is why our research for eye health is centered around cellular senescence.”
Cellular senescence is a process by which a cell ages, permanently stops dividing, doesn’t die, and then builds up in tissues throughout the body. This process advances aging and is connected to the progression of age-related macular degeneration and related symptoms, the company noted.
Cepham’s use of oleocanthal, a phenylethanoid, or a type of natural phenolic compound found naturally in extra-virgin olive oil, makes Luteye unique, the company said.
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“We've thoroughly studied oleocanthal to understand its potential in combating aging effects on the eyes caused by cellular senescence, such as short telomeres, DNA damage response, mitochondrial dysfunction and epigenetically induced senescence,” Swaroop said. “When combined with proven vision enhancing nutrients like lutein and zeaxanthin, oleocanthal shows potential to powerfully protect the eyes from aging.”
Luteye does not rely on carrier oils like soy, safflower or canola, which often contain chemical stabilizers and surfactants. Instead, Luteye harnesses the potent antioxidant properties of oleocanthal, a natural stabilizer, and the purity of extra virgin olive oil, making it a clean-label eye supplement.
Luteye offers a distinctive approach to addressing cellular senescence through the lens of healthy vision.