Metabolism of Zeaxanthin. Absorption, Uptake, and Trafficking: (1) Esterified zeaxanthin (ZEA), after being hydrolyzed, is incorporated into the micelles [14] and can be taken up by the enterocyte by two receptors, SR-B1 and NPC1L1 [37]. ZEA can have two fates in the enterocyte: (2) it can be incorporated into the chylomicron via the action of microsomal transfer protein and be released to the lymphatics [38] or (3) can be directly incorporated into nascent HDL. (4) As the chylomicron is being delipidated by lipoprotein lipase, some ZEA can be taken up by the peripheral tissues and the rest return to the liver as chylomicron remnant [37]. (5) ZEA can also be part of HDL by the interchange of lipids between HDL and the TG-rich lipoproteins [43]. (6) ZEA is taken by the eye by SR-B1 via HDL [47]. SR-B1: scavenger receptor class B type 1. NPC1L1: Niemann-Pick C1-Like 1.