This study is only available for people able to travel to our office in Duncraig, WA 6023

Lutein and zeaxanthin (LZ) are fat-soluble antioxidant nutrients that are part of the carotenoid family. Carotenoids appear yellow and are responsible for many of the colours found in plants and other foods. Lutein is found in dark green leafy vegetables like spinach and kale and in corn and egg yolks. Zeaxanthin is prominent in orange and yellow foods such as com, egg yolks, orange capsicums, persimmons, tangerines, mandarins, and oranges. In the body, LZ are found in the eye, brain, breast, and adipose (fat) tissue. In several studies, supplementation with LZ has been shown to positively affect eye health, memory and cognitive performance.

PLEASE NOTE:

1. Travel to our office located in Duncraig is required on 3 occasions (baseline, month 3, and month 6)
2. Consent is required from the participant/teen and parent / legal guardian (if the participant is under 18 years of age)

There is no cost for participating in this study. Participants will receive a $40 gift voucher at visits 1 and 2, and a $100 voucher at visit 3

If you are between 13 and 18 years old (up to 19 years old) and use electronic screens (i.e., computers, phones, tablets) more than 4 hours a day, we invite you to participate in this randomised, controlled study.

Eligible participants will be RANDOMLY allocated into ONE of TWO treatment conditions:

1. Daily intake of capsules containing lutein/zeaxanthin, or
2. Daily intake of placebo (fake) capsules 

To be INCLUDED in the study, the following inclusion criteria must be met for the participant/teen:

1. Aged 13 to 18 (i.e., before you turn 19 years)
2. Eats a diet generally low in fruit and vegetables
3. Uses light emitting diode (LED) screens (e.g., televisions, computer screens, mobile/phones, tablets) for more than 4hrs a day
4. If attends school, must attend mainstream schooling and mainstream classes
5. Has no plan to commence a new treatment over the study period which might affect the treatment outcomes.
6. Is willing and able to swallow capsules
7. The teen and parent/legal guardian of the teen (if under 18 years) are willing to provide personally signed and dated informed consent indicating that they have been informed of all pertinent aspects of the trial.
8. Teen and parent/legal guardian of the teen (if under 18 years) are fluent in English

If any of the exclusion criteria below are met, the applicant will not be suitable for participation in this study:

1. Is significantly over- or under-weight for his/her age
2. Has been diagnosed with a learning disability
3. Has a current or 12-month history of any significant psychiatric disorder (including ADHD)
4. Has a current or history of clinically significant chronic medical condition including cardiovascular disease, organic brain disorder, seizure, diabetes, or gastrointestinal disease
5. Is currently taking pharmaceutical medications that might affect the treatment outcomes.
6. Is regularly taking nutritional or herbal supplements that might affect the treatment outcomes.
7. Is experiencing exceptional social/family stressors (e.g., serious illness in the family, recent parental separation, etc).
8. Has plans for major lifestyle changes in the next 6 months.
9. Is a regular nicotine smoker or vaper
10. Currently (or in the last 12 months) has used illicit drugs
11. Consumes more than 14 standard drinks of alcohol a week
12. Is pregnant, breastfeeding, or intends to fall pregnant during the study period.
13. Has had a major surgery over the last year or has a planned major surgery during the study period
14. Has participated in any other clinical trial in the last month

This study has been approved by the National Institute of Integrative Medicine (NIIM) Ethics Committee (Reference number: 0145E_2024)

If you are interested in participating in this study, click on the button below to complete the initial screening questionnaire. This questionnaire will take 10 minutes to complete and helps us assess your eligibility to participate in this study.

Please Note: All answers are confidential and will only be seen by study investigators. If you are not eligible to participate in this study, your records will be deleted immediately

Please Note: All answers are confidential and will only be seen by study investigators. If you are not eligible to participate in this study, your records will be deleted immediately

If you are interested in participating in this study, click on the button below to complete the initial screening questionnaire. This questionnaire will take 10 minutes to complete and helps us assess your eligibility to participate in this study.

Please Note: All answers are confidential and will only be seen by study investigators. If you are not eligible to participate in this study, your records will be deleted immediately

Please Note: All answers are confidential and will only be seen by study investigators. If you are not eligible to participate in this study, your records will be deleted immediately