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Lutein for the Eyes

Lutein for the eyes is no big surprise if your mother told you to eat your carrots. She had good reason to tell you that.

Lutein is a carotenoid (a type of antioxidant) that gives vegetables like carrots and peppers their orange color.

Macular Degeneration and Lutein

Zeaxanthin with lutein are powerful antioxidants that protect our eyes from the damages of free radicals.

Free radicals play a significant role in the development of cataracts and macular degeneration.

Lutein for the eyes benefits our retina and the lens of the eyes. It is found in

1) the lens of your eyes and

2) the retina, especially the macula.

The macula is located in the center of the retina and is responsible for our detailed, sharp vision and our straight ahead or central vision.

Lutein and zeaxanthin are the two carotenoids found in the macular pigment - a layer of tissue that protects the macula from the harmful effects of:

√ blue light, a harmful component of sunlight

√ ultra violet light.

Benefits of Lutein

Lutein for the eyes benefits the macular pigment by increasing the density of the macular pigment and helps with cataract prevention.

1. Increased Macular Pigment Density

"Macular pigment consisting of lutein and zeaxanthin

through there ability to filter light and by direct antioxidative properties, has been proposed as

1) the most effective protective factor in the central retina ("natural sun glasses") and

2) could be important to reduce light induced oxidative retinal damage.

The observation, that with age and especially in eyes with AMD lower concentrations of macular pigment could be found, can be interpreted that low macular pigment concentrations may be associated with higher risk for AMD.

Through dietary intake and eventually with supplementation the concentration of macular pigment can be increased .." Ophthalmology. 2001 Jun;98(6):511-9.

Lutein and zeaxanthin dietary supplements raise macular pigment density and serum concentrations of these carotenoids in humans.

J Nutr. 2003 Apr;133(4):992-8.

2. Cataract Prevention

Oxidation plays a role in the development of cataracts, or the clouding of the lens. Antioxidants are known to protect our cells from the damage that they cause. Lutein is found in the lens of our eyes.

Here is the conclusion of a study that was reported on in January 2008.

The prospective observational data from a large cohort of female health professionals reported:

"higher dietary intakes of lutein/zeaxanthin and vitamin E from food and supplements were associated with significantly decreased risks of cataract."

Archives of OphthalmologyVol. 126 No. 1, January 2008

Foods High in Lutein

Lutein for the eyes can be obtained from foods high in lutein like spinach, eggs, and carrots. Because lutein is a fat soluble antioxidant, it is important to include some healthy fat, like olive oil with your vegetables. To get a list of these foods click here: Foods High in Lutein

Lutein Dosage

Lutein dosage in a supplement or from food is an important question because the body does not manufacture lutein. You must eat foods high in lutein every day and/or supplement. Then the question is how much do I need?

There are many macular degeneration nutritional supplements, from multivitamins to eye care formulas that include lutein for the eyes as an ingredient.

Be sure to read the label to see how much is included in each dose. It is usually listed in milligrams – mg – though some products list it in micrograms – mcg. One microgram equals one-thousandth of a milligram. To learn more about Lutein Dosage click here: Lutein Dosage

Lutein Supplements

If you decide to buy lutein as a supplement, you want to make sure it is of high quality and from a company that has the Good Manufacturing Practice certification. Two companies that make vitamins for eyes and have included 10 mg of lutein in their daily dose are:

1. Bausch and Lomb Preservision with Lutein contains 5 mg of FloraGlo Lutein per soft gel. With a recommendation of two pills per day which provides 10 mg of lutein.

2. Icaps Vitamins with Lutein

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Side Effects of Lutein

According to the www.clinicaltrials.gov website regarding side effects of lutein,

"lutein and zeaxanthin supplements are considered to be safe with possible minor side effects, such as headaches and difficulty in swallowing the tablets."

Journal TitleInvestigative ophthalmology & visual science ISSN 0146-0404 CODEN IOVSDA Source / Source2006, vol. 47, no12, pp. 5227-5233 [7 page(s) (article)] (35 ref.)

To read more click here: Side Effects of Lutein

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