iGenics review: lutein, zeaxanthin and saffron in an eye formula with a full label
iGenics combines AREDS2-inspired eye nutrients with bilberry, saffron, turmeric and ginkgo, and the full supplement facts panel is right on the sales page.
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If you've looked at eye supplements before, you've probably seen the letters AREDS on a label. They stand for the Age-Related Eye Disease Studies, two large trials run by the National Eye Institute that tested a specific combination of vitamins C and E, zinc, copper, lutein and zeaxanthin. It's one of the best-known findings in nutrition research, and it shaped most modern eye formulas.
iGenics, from a company called ScienceGenics, takes inspiration from that research and then adds a few favorites of its own: bilberry, saffron, turmeric and black pepper. The company describes it as "12 clinically-backed ingredients." And there's a full supplement facts panel right on the sales page, so you can see everything.
The label
A serving is two capsules. Per serving:
Vitamin A 900 mcg, vitamin C 500 mg and vitamin E 0.268 mg
Zinc 20 mg and copper 2 mg
Lutein 20 mg and zeaxanthin 10 mg
Bilberry extract 480 mg, turmeric extract 350 mg and ginkgo biloba 80 mg
Saffron 20 mg and black pepper extract 20 mg
Where it stands out
The lutein and zeaxanthin amounts caught my eye first. They're generous: 20 mg of lutein and 10 mg of zeaxanthin, both higher than the 10 mg and 2 mg used in the AREDS2 trial. These are the yellow pigments that collect in the macula, the part of your retina responsible for sharp, detailed central vision. You also get them from leafy greens, eggs and corn.
The vitamin C (500 mg) and copper (2 mg) match the AREDS2 amounts exactly. The zinc is a more moderate 20 mg.
Then there's saffron. At 20 mg, it's in the range used in small studies on early age-related macular changes, which reported modest improvements in retinal function. Saffron is the world's most expensive spice by weight, harvested by hand from the threads of a crocus flower, so it's a nice thing to find in a daily capsule. I'd call it the most interesting part of the formula.
Bilberry, a European cousin of the blueberry, has a long folk reputation for eyesight. Turmeric and black pepper add general antioxidant support, and ginkgo, which the company highlights as a star ingredient, appears in some eye research too.
Getting the most from it
Lutein and zeaxanthin are fat-soluble, so take iGenics with a meal that contains some fat, like eggs, avocado or a salad with olive oil. That small habit helps your body absorb them.
And keep up with regular eye exams. A supplement and a good eye doctor make a great team.
Bundles and extras
One bottle: $59, plus $9.99 shipping
Three bottles: $147, or $49 each
Six bottles: $234, or $39 each, with free shipping, two ebooks and a free bottle of another ScienceGenics product
The six-bottle package is clearly the best value, especially with the bonus bottle included. The guarantee appears on the page as a 365-day badge, so confirm the exact terms at checkout. ClickBank is the retailer.
Who it's built for
iGenics could suit someone whose eye doctor has suggested a lutein and zeaxanthin supplement and who'd also like saffron and bilberry in the same capsule. If you want one bottle that covers the classic eye nutrients plus a few extras, it's a convenient choice. If you've been told to take a specific AREDS2 formula, though, ask your eye doctor before switching.
Ginkgo and turmeric can add to the effect of blood thinners, so check with your doctor if you take one. If you smoke or used to, ask about vitamin A and carotenoid supplements first, and any sudden change in your vision deserves a prompt visit to an eye doctor.
Worth knowing: AREDS type formulas are meant for people with diagnosed intermediate age-related macular degeneration, and the trials found no benefit for people without it. The zinc here is 20 mg, below the trial's 80 mg and the 25 mg option that has also been studied, and there's no clear evidence that more lutein than the studied amount is better.
If your eyes could use a little daily support, the official iGenics page lists the current bundles, the bonus bottle and the guarantee details.
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