Lutein and Zeaxanthin: How do they support eye health?_News

Lutein and Zeaxanthin: How do they support eye health?

Come from：Shandong Caman Biotech Co., Ltd. Class：News Date：2023/7/5 浏览统计：198

Vision is arguably the most important out of the five senses and good nutrition is vital for keeping our eyes healthy and functioning. Lutein and zeaxanthin are two nutrients that play an important role in our eye health, reducing the risk of macular degeneration and cataracts.

What are Lutein and Zeaxanthin?

Lutein and zeaxanthin are two types of carotenoids which give many fruits and vegetables their yellow to red pigments. They are strong antioxidants that help to defend the body against free radicals, protecting the body’s proteins, fats and DNA.

Due to the antioxidant properties of lutein and zeaxanthin, they have many health benefits including possibly reducing the effects of ‘bad’ LDL cholesterol and protecting the skin. However they are best known for supporting eye health.

How do they benefit eye health?

These antioxidants are found in concentrated amounts in the macula, a region of the retina located behind the eye. Lutein, zeaxanthin and meso-zeaxanthin are the only carotenoids to accumulate in this area and work hard to protect the eyes from free radicals; they do this by blocking blue light from reaching the underlying structures of the retina. This in turn then reduces the risk of light induced oxidative damage which could then lead to age-related macular degeneration.

There have been numerous studies into the benefits of lutein and zeaxanthin for eye health, particularly for preventing or slowing down the process of ARMD. One study found that supplementing with these carotenoids improved the optical density of the macular pigment in the eyes, whilst another study showed that participants with early ARMD saw an improvement in their visual acuity after supplementing with lutein and zeaxanthin for one year.

What are sources of lutein and zeaxanthin?

Most green and yellow vegetables are good sources of these nutrients, such as spinach and kale. Another good source would be egg yolks, however if you have high cholesterol it is recommended that you get most of these nutrients from fruit and veg.

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