Lutein and Vitamin A
by Lou
(Cupertino, CA. USA)
You tell us that taking lutein and vitamin A together causes both to lose their effect. Are the makers of Vitamins and lutein aware of this fact? What can a person do when ARED supplements contain both lutein and vitamin A, and many vitamin tablets contain both Vitamin A and lutein?
Answer
Hello Lou,
The AREDS formulas contain the beta-carotene version of Vitamin A which as
far as we know has not been indicated as competing with lutein.
Vitamin A Palmitate does compete with lutein. Although we believe they do not cancel each other out, they do effect optimal absorption by the body.
It is true that there seems to be a discrepancy with many formulas that both contain Vitamin A Palmitate and lutein, so I would assume either the manufacturers are not aware of this, or have determined that since both nutrients are so essential to eye health, it is worth including both in their formulas.
Take care,
Michael Edson, MS, L.Ac.
Natural Eye Care
845-255-8222
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Flora Glo Lutein
by Neha
(India)
My mom's eye sight vision is very low. Her age is around 50 years. Doctors are not able to find out the number of eye lenses or spex.
Someone recommend the Flora GLO Lutein eye shine medicine for the improvement of eye sight. Is this product useful? Or let me know any other treatment or medicine for the improvement of eye vision.
Waiting for your reply
Thanks and regards
Neha
REPLY
Hi Neha,
It has been found that those who do consume regular amounts of foods high in lutein or supplement with lutein, increase serum lutein levels and increase their macular pigment, which protects the macula.
To read more about Flora Glo as a source of lutein click here:
Flora Glo
Kind Regards,
Leslie
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Lutein and Zeaxanthin - Red vs. Orange Peppers
by Judy
(Minnesota)
Hi Leslie,
One of your news letters awhile back mentioned orange bell peppers and the amount of zeaxanthin. I have a hard time finding orange peppers here and they are expensive when I can find them.
I did some research and at whfoods.com, they mention how red bell peppers contain both zeaxanthin and lutein and are very good at preventing macular degeneration.
Do you have any information on the comparisons of red vs. orange. If orange is significantly higher, I will search them out and pay the extra.
Thanks for any help.
REPLY
Hi Judy,
What a great question. There are some surpising answers to this.
I found a great chart published by the British Journal of Ophthalmology on foods high in lutein and zeaxanthin.
Orange peppers have the highest amount of zeaxanthin for all peppers. Green peppers have the highest amount of lutein. Surprisingly, yellow and red peppers - in this chart - show no lutein and very little zeaxanthin.
Fruits and vegetables that are sources for lutein and zeaxanthin
Kind Regards,
Leslie Degner, RN, BSN
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Lutein Dosage
by kilo
(85268)
I have been taking 20 mg of lutigold Lutein w/zeaxanthin per day for several years. What are signs of overdose? I do not have headaches.
I have been diagnosed with Dry Macular Degeneration.
My father also had Retina Pigmentosis.
REPLY
This is a good question. Can a person overdose on lutein? Here are some references from Pub Med that concluded,"Histopathological analysis of the organs supported the nontoxicity of lutein and its ester form."
Lutein Toxicity
Kind Regards,
Leslie Degner, RN, BSN
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Research and Lutein for Macular Degeneration Prevention
by Dr. Wilson
(Dr. Wilson)
Evidence based clinical trials re lutein prevention of macular degeneration.
Answer
There are several clinical trials looking at the role of supplementing with lutein and zeaxanthin on macular pigment density and in the progression of this retinal disease in those who have already been diagnosed with age related macular degeneration. As far as prevention goes these two studies are the most cited:
1. Macular Degeneration Prevention
Seddon, J.M.Dietary carotenoid, vitamins A, C, E, and advanced age-related macular degeneration. Eye Disease Case-Control Study Group Jama 272(18):1413-20)
Here are the results in quotes:
"A higher dietary intake of carotenoids was associated with a lower risk for AMD. Adjusting for other risk factors for AMD, we found that those in the highest quintile of carotenoid intake had a 43% lower risk for AMD compared with those in the lowest quintile (odds ratio, 0.57; 95% confidence interval, 0.35 to 0.92; P for trend=.02). Among the specific carotenoids, lutein and zeaxanthin, which are primarily obtained from dark green, leafy vegetables, were most strongly associated with a reduced risk for AMD."
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
Leslie Degner, RN, BSN
To learn more:
Lutein
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Lutein Dosage
by Eli
(United States)
I have been diagnosed with a very early stage of Macular Degeneration.
I was told to take the Adult 50+ version of Ocuvite. This contains 5 mg of Lutein. I am 78.
Is that enough Lutein per day? If not how much should I be taking.
RESPONSE
Hi Eli,
I strongly recommend that you take at least 20 mg of lutein a day. Most naturopathic doctors will agree that 5 mg is not enough.
I have also found that over 80% of patients that I treat are deficient in zinc even if they are taking is as a supplement! This is shocking since many studies have shown zinc deficiency is linked to macular degeneration!
Look at the vitamin you are taking it should be a chelated zinc such as zinc picolinate, zinc citrate or acetate. Consider taking 50 to 100 mg of zinc a day. Avoid zinc oxide because it is poorly absorbed into the body.
To your good health and clear vision,
Dr. Edward Kondrot
www.HealingTheEye.com
Dr. Kondrot is offering a special FREE Webinar for the readers of WebRN-MacularDegeneration.com on Dec 12th, 2011 at 5:00 PM PST. This Webinar will not only cover microcurrent but also the 10 Essentials to Save your Vision. You can sign up at:
GoToMeeting.com
Leslie
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Lutein for the Eyes
by Lou Middleton
(Cupertino, CA)
Does vitamin A delete the benefit of lutein when taken together?
Answer
Research shows that Vitamin A and lutein do compete for the same cell receptors in the body, so taking them together can reduce the effectiveness of each.
On the otherhand, both nutrients are essential for eye health, so we would suggest taking these nutrients separately at different times of the
day.
Take care,
Michael Edson, MS, L.Ac.
Natural Eye Care
845-255-8222
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Lutein Side Effect?
Can too much lutein cause loss of appetite?
REPLY
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.)
Lutein Side Effects
I am not aware of loss of appetite as a side effect of Lutein - but everyone responds differently to supplements and/or medications.
Kind Regards,
Leslie
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Lutein Pill Size
by Richard
(FLorida)
Does anyone have a lutein pill size that is smaller than the Bausch & Lomb PreserVision soft gels?
The gels are hard for me to swallow as they seem large.
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Lutein Dosage
by Kilo
(Fountain Hills, AZ)
I have been taking 20 mg of Lutigold Lutein w/Zeaxantin per day for 3-4 years.
What are signs of an overdose, I do have occasional headachs. Will a lower dosage be just as effective ?
I have been diaganosed with Dry Macular Degeneration and my father had Retinitis Pigmentosa.
REPLY
Hi Kilo,
The conclusions from the Dose-Ranging Study of Lutein Supplementation in Persons Aged 60 Years or Older were:
"Increasing doses of lutein supplements significantly increased the serum levels of lutein and zeaxanthin, and doses up to 10 mg were safely administered.
A long-term large clinical trial is necessary to investigate the safety and efficacy of lutein in reducing the risk of the development of advanced AMD."
(Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science. 2006;47:5227-5233.)© 2006 by The Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, Inc.DOI: 10.1167/iovs.05-1513
However, as you know there are lutein supplements that contain less than this amount and others that have more. Use this study as a guideline. I haven not been able to find any scholarly report on side effects or toxicity, so it seems to be a very safe supplement.
Hope this helps.
Kind Regards,
Leslie
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Foods High in Lutein Other than Kale or Spinach
by Dalia
I must say your newsletters are always interesting and very informative. Thanks for sending them.
As to the last newsletter, I have a question - being unable to digest kale or spinach, are there any other lutein enriched vegetables of fruits which you can recommend?
Are there lutein pills one can take and do you recommend them? Thanks.
REPLY
Hi Dalia,
There are other foods that are high in lutein, like eggs, carrots, and squash. For a more comprehensive list go to:
Foods High in Lutein
It has been shown in several studies that levels of lutein and zeaxanthin can be increased in the eye when taking a lutein supplement or eating these foods.
You can buy eye vitamins with just lutein (and zeaxanthin) or in combination with other good eye vitamins and antioxidants. To find out more about lutein supplements go here:
Lutein Supplements
Kind Regards,
Leslie Degner, RN, BSN
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Lutein for Macular Degeneration
by Frank
(United States)
My eye doctor stated I am in a macular degeneration stage.
Will a supplement of Lutein be of benefit to halt the degeneration?
What amount in mg do you recommend.
REPLY
Hi Frank,
High concentrations of lutein are in found in the macular pigment. The macular pigment is known to provide protection against macular degeneration and cataracts.
There are several studies showing the relationship of this pigment to the development or progression of macular degeneration.
To learn more about these studies, the role of lutein and what the suggested amount is click here:
Lutein for Macular Degeneration
Kind Regards,
Leslie Degner
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Sources of Lutein - Eggs
by Dale
(Abingdon, VA. USA)
How do I cook eggs to get the maxium lutein from them?
REPLY
Hi Dale,
Thanks for your question. I have not found any substantial information on how to get the most lutein from eggs based on how they are cooked.
I'll keep looking and if I find more specifics I'll will post it here.
For information on other foods high in lutein click here:
Foods High in Lutein
Kind Regards,
Leslie Degner, RN, BSN
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