Plant-based nutrient can boost immune cells' ability to fight cancer (Zeaxanthin)

In a new study, researchers discovered that zeaxanthin, a plant-derived carotenoid best known for protecting vision, may also act as an immune-boosting compound by strengthening the cancer-fighting activity of immune cells. The findings highlight the potential of zeaxanthin as a widely available supplement to improve the effectiveness of cancer immunotherapies. The study builds on years of work by Chen's lab to better understand how nutrients influence the immune system. By screening a large blood nutrient library, the team identified zeaxanthin as a compound that directly enhances the activity of CD8+ T cells, a crucial type of immune cell that kills...