Protection against sunburn and skin problems with orally-ingested high-dosage zeaxanthin
US8481009B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 1, 2011 |
| Grant date | Jul 9, 2013 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 1, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61K2800/92
- WIPO fieldPharmaceuticals
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A carotenoid substance called zeaxanthin, when ingested orally at suitable dosages such as 30 to 100 mg/day for a span of 1 to 2 weeks, can provide effective protection against sunburns, and can give skin a darker tint that emulates a healthy suntan. In tests involving adults, it was found that zeaxanthin dosages of 30 to about 80 mg per day were sufficient to induce: (i) a mild but noticeable tinting, shading, or darkening of skin color, comparable to a mild suntan; (ii) a substantial increase in the person's ability to withstand elevated levels of sun or UV exposure; and, (iii) an increased ability of reddened and sunburned skin to convert into intact skin that looks browned and healthily tanned. Oral ingestion of dosages of zeaxanthin after a noticeable darkening of the skin has been achieved further enhances a tanned appearance and/or protects against sun damage.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.