Lutein for Macular Degeneration

Macular Degneration Lutein

The body cannot manufacture it so one must get it through diet or supplementation.

It is found in deep green vegetables such as spinach, kale and collard greens and in egg yokes, corn, squash and tomatoes.

Lutein for Macular Degeneration Prevention

Lutein and zeaxanthin together make up the macular pigment.

High concentrations of these carotenoids are found in the macula, also known as the macula lutea which means yellow spot in Latin.

The macular pigment is known to provide:

√ protection against macular degeneration and cataracts

√ protection to the macula against the harmful effects of blue light.

Low levels of macular pigment are associated with macular degeneration.

Researchers said the two pigments act as "sunlglasses" and appear to filter short-wavelength light that can damage the eye's retina.

“When we compared the amount of macular pigment, which is comprised of lutein and zeaxanthin, present in the eyes of people with age-related macular degeneration to people without the disease, those with the lowest levels of carotenoid accumulation in the outer retina were significantly more likely to suffer from age-related macular degeneration than those with higher pigment levels, ” said Dr. Landrum.

“The difference in risk between those having the highest and lowest levels was 75 percent.”

Dr. Landrum, Florida International University

Benefits of Lutein

Carotenoid levels in the blood were much lower in patients with macular degeneration.

JAMA. 1994 Nov 9;272(18):1413-20.

At this time there is no toxic dose that is known to cause harm. However, as a nurse I need to remind you that if a person is on blood thinners or is taking an aspirin a day for their heart, they should consult their doctor before starting any supplement.

Though this pigment is deposited into many areas of the body prone to free radical damage – like the eyes and skin – it cannot be manufactured by the body.

(If a person is smoking, it would not be recommended for a person to begin taking this antioxidant as the combination could be harmful, in a similar way to smoking and beta-carotene has shown to cause cancer in the lungs.)

Foods High In Lutein

kale,

collard greens,

and spinach

have some of the highest concentrations.

Click here for a more complete food listing: Lutein Foods

Lutein Supplements

It has been shown in several studies that levels of these two carotenoids can be increased in the eye

when taking a supplement or

eating these foods,

but blood levels drop as soon as the supplement is not being taken.

Family members at risk for AMD may also consider taking lutein for macular degeneration or supplements for macular degeneration prevention beginning at an earlier age.

This, combined with good eye protection from the sun, may be of great help in preventing macular degeneration.

Lutein Supplements are available from Natural Eye Care, where my husband and I get our eye vitamins. Their lutein supplement contains 6 mg of natural lutein and also contains another important macular degeneration antioxidant, zeaxanthin.

Go to Natural Eye Care:

Lutein supplements

Lutein Dosage

The USDA Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2005 recommends:

√ 4-8 milligrams per day

The research recommends:

√ 6-10 milligrams per day for macular degeneration for maximum benefits of protection

The typical American consumes:

√ about 1-2 milligrams per day

To get your natural source of 6 milligrams of lutein go to Natural Eye Care.

Lutein Supplements

AREDS Vitamins with Lutein

Be sure to read the label to see how much is included in each dose.

AREDS stands for Age Related Eye Disease Study. This macular degeneration study found that that specific antioxidants (like vitamin C and E) plus zinc slowed the progression of Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) by 25 percent.

Natural Eye Care offers AREDS vitamins with the added benefit of lutein so that there is no need to buy a separate supplement. This eye vitamin is called Viteyes

Vitamins for Macular Degeneration with Lutein

It is an all natural vitamin that was developed by eye professionals who treat macular degeneration and other eye conditions.

Not only does it include lutein and bilberry, it also contains powerful antioxidants that help fight oxidation and free radical damage. This eye vitamin includes:

1. Broad-spectrum antioxidants

2. Therapeutic amount of zeaxanthin (4 mg / Vcap) the most powerful carotenoid for eye protection

3. Therapeutic amount of lutein (3.5 mg/ Vcap), from marigold source- not synthetic

Natural Eye Care has made these supplement more affordable by reducing the price from $37/bottle to $25 if you purchase 12 bottles (a year supply). This is what we are doing, since it saves us in shipping costs as well.

If this eye vitamin interests you and you want to see a complete list of ingredients, go to the Natural Eye Care website by clicking here:

Eye Vitamins



For More Information:

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