In this piece of article, we will know what the best vitamins to maintain eye
health is? Do you need to take supplements to keep your eye
health? I am here to bring you the latest information on eye health and
medicine.
What are lutein and zeaxanthin good for?
Lutein and Zeaxanthin are special naturally occurring pigment
chemicals called
xanthophylls that are
found in our eyes. Xanthophylls are one of the major types of carotenoids.
Which are yellow, orange, or red, fat-soluble pigments that give color to
plant parts such as ripe tomatoes and autumn leaves.
chemicals called
xanthophylls that are
found in our eyes. Xanthophylls are one of the major types of carotenoids.
Which are yellow, orange, or red, fat-soluble pigments that give color to
plant parts such as ripe tomatoes and autumn leaves.
There are more than 750 naturally occurring carotenoids and they
are produced by plants algae and some bacteria. Carotenoids can be divided
into two groups:
are produced by plants algae and some bacteria. Carotenoids can be divided
into two groups:
- Carotenes
- Xanthophylls
Both are important in maintaining eye health. Carotenes are carotenoids
in provitamin forms, such as beta-carotene that can be converted by
our body into vitamin A.
in provitamin forms, such as beta-carotene that can be converted by
our body into vitamin A.
Contents
Benefits:
Xanthophylls such as lutein and zeaxanthin are also carotenoids. They
have antioxidant properties, can scavenge free radicals, and are
thought to absorb damaging light waves, but they do not convert into
vitamin A in our body.
have antioxidant properties, can scavenge free radicals, and are
thought to absorb damaging light waves, but they do not convert into
vitamin A in our body.
Lutein and zeaxanthin are the only types of carotenoids found in the
retina, which is the layer of the nerve tissue in our eyes that is
responsible for forming images and enabling us to see.
retina, which is the layer of the nerve tissue in our eyes that is
responsible for forming images and enabling us to see.
Some studies have shown that higher dietary intake of lutein and zeaxanthin
was associated with a significantly lower risk of developing wet age-related
macular degeneration or
AMD.
was associated with a significantly lower risk of developing wet age-related
macular degeneration or
AMD.
Studies have shown that the AREDS 2 formula vitamin supplements can
slow down the progression of macular degeneration in people with moderate to
severe AMD.
slow down the progression of macular degeneration in people with moderate to
severe AMD.
In addition, lutein and zeaxanthin are also found in our natural
crystalline lens where they act as antioxidants, protecting against
oxidative stress that can cause early cataract formation.
crystalline lens where they act as antioxidants, protecting against
oxidative stress that can cause early cataract formation.
While the AERDS2 study did not find conclusive evidence that supplementing
lutein and zeaxanthin slows down cataract progression, the study did
find that in participants with the lowest quartile of dietary intake of
lutein and zeaxanthin, supplementation of those two nutrients showed some
evidence of a beneficial effect on the progression of the cataract
outcomes.
lutein and zeaxanthin slows down cataract progression, the study did
find that in participants with the lowest quartile of dietary intake of
lutein and zeaxanthin, supplementation of those two nutrients showed some
evidence of a beneficial effect on the progression of the cataract
outcomes.
What is the best source of lutein and zeaxanthin?
Since we get our
lutein and zeaxanthin
primarily from our diet. I want to share with you some of the whole foods
that naturally contain high concentrations of lutein and zeaxanthin. Dark
leafy green vegetables
lutein and zeaxanthin
primarily from our diet. I want to share with you some of the whole foods
that naturally contain high concentrations of lutein and zeaxanthin. Dark
leafy green vegetables
- Kale
- Spinach
- Parsley
Additionally, eggs, specifically egg yolks, are also a good source of
lutein and zeaxanthin. While there is no official recommended dietary
allowance or RDA for lutein and zeaxanthin. Daily intake of approximately
6mg of lutein and zeaxanthin has been associated with a decreased
risk of AMD.
lutein and zeaxanthin. While there is no official recommended dietary
allowance or RDA for lutein and zeaxanthin. Daily intake of approximately
6mg of lutein and zeaxanthin has been associated with a decreased
risk of AMD.
Dosage:
In fact, the vitamin supplement formulation recommended by the National
eye institute or NEI for macular degeneration, called the AREDS2 formula
contains
10mg of lutein and 2mg of zeaxanthin
per recommended serving.
eye institute or NEI for macular degeneration, called the AREDS2 formula
contains
10mg of lutein and 2mg of zeaxanthin
per recommended serving.
Studies have shown that the current intakes of lutein and zeaxanthin among
adults greater than 50 years of age fall well below this level, with
an average intake of less than 2mg per day for both men and women.
adults greater than 50 years of age fall well below this level, with
an average intake of less than 2mg per day for both men and women.
Only about 1% of men and 5% of women meet the dietary intakes that have
been associated with a decreased risk of AMD.
been associated with a decreased risk of AMD.
Should you take supplements for lutein and zeaxanthin?
For most people younger than 50 years of age and who eat a diet rich in
fruits and vegetables, the diet itself may contain a sufficient amount of
those two vitamins.
fruits and vegetables, the diet itself may contain a sufficient amount of
those two vitamins.
However, people over the age of 50 are at risk of developing macular
degeneration, or those with a history of macular degeneration, as well as
people with dietary restrictions that may result in a low intake of
those 2 nutrients.
degeneration, or those with a history of macular degeneration, as well as
people with dietary restrictions that may result in a low intake of
those 2 nutrients.
I do recommend taking daily supplements of lutein and zeaxanthin.
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