The Eye-Q Podcast Episode 050: Eye on Macular Carotenoids: Diet and Supplementation
In this episode of The Eye-Q Podcast, I talk with vision scientist Dr. Deshanie Rai about the macular carotenoids—lutein, zeaxanthin, and meso-zeaxanthin—and why they’re essential for lifelong eye health. We break down their role in filtering blue light, supporting retinal resilience, improving visual performance, and even boosting cognition. We also explore diet, supplementation, and new research in both adults and children.
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Dr. Deshanie Rai, Ph.D., vice president, global science, regulatory, and advocacy at OmniActive Health Technologies and adjunct professor at Tufts University, has made consumer self-care a focus of her career contributions through the development, translation, and dissemination of rigorous science in compliance with regulatory guidelines. She has leveraged her technical skillsets across multiple therapeutic areas and her strengths as a cross-functional partner to bring several meaningful product and messaging innovations to global markets. These included gastrointestinal health and the microbiome, eye health and vision performance, women’s health, and pediatric allergy management. Dr. Rai is adept at connecting the dots and troubleshooting and has successfully identified and implemented strategies to accelerate regulatory pathways while still prioritizing product integrity and consumer safety. While the products she has worked on have reached consumers in North America, Europe, Oceania, and Asia, she has also made an impact in Africa through her volunteer efforts in promoting food security.
Dr. Rai was recently honored as the winner of the 2025 Annette Dickinson Trailblazer Award, presented by the Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN) and Radicle Science.
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Guest: Dr. Deshanie Rai, PhD
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deshanie-rai-phd-facn-69348a3/
Website: https://omniactives.com/
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Produced by DrTalks: https://drtalks.com/podcast/