Life Extension · verified 26 October 2026
Life Extension MacuGuard Ocular Support + Saffron: what is actually in it
Serving size: 1 softgel. A proprietary blend that at least tells you the numbers.
AREDS2 match: 2 of 6 nutrients
Lutein 10 mg and a combined 4 mg of meso-zeaxanthin and zeaxanthin sit inside a 208 mg proprietary blend — with the doses spelled out in brackets, which is more than most blends offer. Saffron is the differentiator, and its evidence is small trials rather than a large one.
The panel, as printed
| Ingredient | Amount per serving | %DV |
|---|---|---|
| MacuGuard proprietary blend | 208 mg | † |
| — Lutein (marigold extract) | 10 mg | † |
| — Meso-zeaxanthin and zeaxanthin | 4 mg combined | † |
| — Alpha-carotene | 1.24 mg | † |
| Saffron extract (stigma) | 20 mg | † |
Against the AREDS2 trial
| Nutrient | AREDS2 daily dose | This product | Match |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vitamin C | 500 mg | not present | no |
| Vitamin E | 400 IU | not present | no |
| Zinc | 80 mg | not present | no |
| Copper | 2 mg | not present | no |
| Lutein | 10 mg | 10 mg | yes |
| Zeaxanthin | 2 mg | 4 mg combined | yes |
AREDS2 daily doses: vitamin C 500 mg, vitamin E 268 mg (400 IU), zinc 80 mg, copper 2 mg, lutein 10 mg, zeaxanthin 2 mg.
What this means
A proprietary blend usually hides the doses. Here they are disclosed, which lets the product be checked at all. The saffron claim rests on small trials, and we would want to see it stated that way rather than as established fact.
Read from: Life Extension formula sheet and retail label reproductions (Swanson, Lexington)
Labels change without notice. If this panel no longer matches your bottle, the bottle is right and this page is out of date — tell us.
The full comparison
Fourteen panels read side by side, scored on the same six nutrients:
See all products scored →