Home Ingredients OmniXan® (Zeaxanthin Standalone — OmniActive)
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OmniXan® (Zeaxanthin Standalone — OmniActive)

Capsicum annum
Evidence Level
Moderate
2 Clinical Trials
5 Documented Benefits
3/5 Evidence Score

OmniXan® is OmniActive's standalone zeaxanthin ingredient — sourced from paprika (Capsicum annum), licensed from Kalsec. Distinguished from Lutemax 2020 by being zeaxanthin-only (without lutein) and from a different source (paprika vs marigold). Provides 3R,3'R zeaxanthin for applications wanting zeaxanthin alone or higher zeaxanthin ratios. Also available: OmniXan-RS (meso-zeaxanthin) which IS marigold-sourced. Used for: targeted zeaxanthin delivery, eye health, macular pigment building, blue light filtering.

Studied Dose 2-4 mg/day zeaxanthin (typical eye health dose)
Active Compound RR-zeaxanthin (3R,3'R) from paprika (Capsicum annum)

Benefits

Standalone Zeaxanthin from Paprika

OmniXan provides 3R,3'R zeaxanthin from paprika (Capsicum annum) — useful for formulators wanting zeaxanthin without lutein, or higher zeaxanthin ratios in custom formulations.

Supported by Trial 2, Trial 1

Macular Carotenoid

Zeaxanthin is one of three macular carotenoids (alongside lutein and meso-zeaxanthin); deposits in central macula (fovea) where lutein is more peripheral; important for central vision.

Supported by Trial 2

Blue Light Filtering

Zeaxanthin absorbs short-wavelength blue light (400-500 nm) protecting retinal photoreceptors from photo-oxidative damage.

Supported by Trial 2

Singlet Oxygen Quenching

Among the most potent natural quenchers of singlet oxygen and lipid radicals — relevant to retinal antioxidant defense.

Paprika-Source Distinction

Paprika source provides 3R,3'R zeaxanthin (the dietary form). Note: meso-zeaxanthin (3R,3'S) is sourced from marigold via OmniActive's separate OmniXan-RS product line.

Supported by Trial 2

Mechanism of action

1

Macular Pigment Deposition

Dietary 3R,3'R zeaxanthin deposits in central macular pigment, particularly the fovea — central vision area.

2

Blue Light Absorption

Zeaxanthin's molecular structure absorbs blue light (400-500 nm), reducing oxidative damage to photoreceptors.

3

Antioxidant Activity

Quenches singlet oxygen and lipid radicals; recycled by other antioxidants for sustained activity.

4

Source Distinction

OmniXan paprika-sourced 3R,3'R zeaxanthin is bioequivalent to dietary zeaxanthin from green leafy vegetables and corn; structurally identical.

Clinical trials

1
OmniXan Safety Evaluation

Subchronic toxicity and mutagenicity safety evaluation of OmniXan™ paprika-derived RR-zeaxanthin (65%).

Rat models (acute, subchronic toxicity, mutagenicity).

Oral LD50 >2000 mg/kg/day; no adverse effects in subchronic studies; no mutagenic activity. Established safety profile for human supplementation. Critical caveat: this is a safety/toxicology study, not a clinical efficacy trial.

2
Zeaxanthin for Macular Pigment and AMD — Generic Evidence

Multiple zeaxanthin trials including AREDS2 component evidence.

Adults including AMD-risk populations.

Established macular pigment building and visual function support. Critical caveat: most evidence from generic zeaxanthin or zeaxanthin+lutein combinations, not OmniXan-specific. Specific OmniXan clinical efficacy trials limited.

Side effects and drug interactions

Common Potential side effects

Generally well-tolerated.
Mild GI distress (rare).
Yellow-orange tint to skin at very high doses (carotenodermia, harmless).
Allergic reactions to marigold rare.

Important Drug interactions

Generally minimal drug interactions.
Bile acid sequestrants — may modestly reduce carotenoid absorption.
Pregnancy — generally considered safe at moderate doses.
Lactation — generally safe.
Children — appropriate at proportional doses.

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Frequently asked questions about OmniXan® (Zeaxanthin Standalone — OmniActive)

What is OmniXan?

OmniXan® is OmniActive's standalone zeaxanthin ingredient — sourced from paprika (Capsicum annum), licensed from Kalsec. Distinguished from Lutemax 2020 by being zeaxanthin-only (without lutein) and from a different source (paprika vs marigold).

What is OmniXan used for?

OmniXan is researched primarily for Eye Health and Antioxidant. OmniXan provides 3R,3'R zeaxanthin from paprika (Capsicum annum) — useful for formulators wanting zeaxanthin without lutein, or higher zeaxanthin ratios in custom formulations.

What is the recommended dosage of OmniXan?

The clinically studied dose is 2-4 mg/day zeaxanthin (typical eye health dose) Always follow the product label and check with a healthcare provider for personal advice.

Is OmniXan safe, and does it have side effects?

For most healthy adults, OmniXan is well tolerated at studied doses. Reported effects can include: Generally well-tolerated. Mild GI distress (rare). It may also interact with some medications. OmniXan is not right for everyone, so check with a healthcare provider first if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have a medical condition, or take prescription medication.

Does OmniXan interact with any medications?

Possible interactions include: Generally minimal drug interactions. Bile acid sequestrants — may modestly reduce carotenoid absorption. If you take prescription medication, check with a pharmacist or doctor before using it.

How strong is the scientific evidence for OmniXan?

NutraSmarts rates the evidence for OmniXan as Moderate (3 out of 5). It is backed by 2 clinical trials and 4 cited references summarized on this page. A higher rating reflects more, larger, and better-designed human studies.

References(4 citations)

Evidence ratings on NutraSmarts are based on the totality of human clinical research, with emphasis on randomized controlled trials, meta-analyses, and systematic reviews. The references below directly support claims made throughout this page.

  1. Richer S, Novil S, Gullett T, Dervishi A, Nassiri S, Duong C, Davis R, Davey PG Night Vision and Carotenoids (NVC): A Randomized Placebo Controlled Clinical Trial on Effects of Carotenoid Supplementation on Night Vision in Older Adults Nutrients. 2021;13(9):3191. doi: 10.3390/nu13093191.PubMedUsed to support: 6-month RCT using a 14 mg zeaxanthin / 7 mg lutein supplement in older adults. Supplemented group showed significant increases in macular pigment optical density (MPOD), improved contrast sensitivity with glare, faster glare recovery, and improved useful field of view scores versus placebo. Directly supports zeaxanthin's blue-light filtering and macular-pigment benefit claims. (Study used a lutein+zeaxanthin combination, not a standalone zeaxanthin product; supports the compound class, not OmniXan brand specifically.)
  2. Bharadwaj VG, Thirumalesh MB, Ashwath HV, Anzar CA, Sundaram R, Prasad CP, Joseph MV, Eranimose B, Reddy PA Beneficial Effects of a Lutein-Zeaxanthin Complex on Macular Pigment Optical Density Levels of Healthy Individuals With Prolonged Screen Time Cureus. 2025;17(2):e79481. doi: 10.7759/cureus.79481.PubMedUsed to support: Randomized placebo-controlled crossover RCT showing that a 5:1 lutein-zeaxanthin complex significantly increased MPOD in healthy adults with prolonged screen exposure over 4 months. Supports zeaxanthin's macular carotenoid and blue-light filtering benefit claims. (Study used a combined lutein/zeaxanthin formula, not standalone zeaxanthin; supports the compound, not OmniXan brand specifically.)
  3. Evans JR, Lawrenson JG Antioxidant vitamin and mineral supplements for slowing the progression of age-related macular degeneration Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2023;9(9):CD000254. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD000254.pub5.PubMedUsed to support: Cochrane systematic review finding that lutein/zeaxanthin supplementation may reduce risk of AMD progression and is considered a suitable replacement for beta-carotene in AREDS-type formulas. Supports zeaxanthin as a macular carotenoid for eye health, with the review noting low-certainty evidence for AMD progression reduction. (Covers the carotenoid class in combination; not zeaxanthin-only or OmniXan brand specifically.)
  4. Widomska J, Welc R, Gruszecki WI The effect of carotenoids on the concentration of singlet oxygen in lipid membranes Biochimica et Biophysica Acta - Biomembranes. 2019;1861(4):845-851. doi: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2019.01.012.PubMedUsed to support: In vitro study demonstrating that carotenoids including zeaxanthin efficiently quench singlet oxygen in lipid membranes. Provides mechanistic basis for the singlet oxygen quenching benefit claim. (In vitro mechanism study; not a human clinical trial.)