Lutein, zeaxanthin, Lutein
Lutein is an important carotenoid, which is a yellow/red pigment found in fruits, vegetables, and egg yolks. A potent antioxidant that works mainly in eye health against free radicals in the retina and macula region. It also has an isomer (compound of identical chemical formula) called zeaxanthin, that works synergically in the eyes.
- Origin: Plant Based, Animal Product, Synthetic
- Source: Eggs, Leafy Greens, Corn, Paprika
- Type: Antioxidants
- Age Range: Adults, Seniors
- Toxicity: Not toxic
- Outcomes: Specific Conditions, Eye Health
What are Lutein benefits?
Lutein, as well as zeaxanthin, structure similar to pre-vitamin A (β-carotene) and are mainly involved in eye health. In addition, lutein together with zeaxanthin is part of the family of antioxidants. Lutein and zeaxanthin are the only dietary carotenoids found in the retina. They are concentrated mainly in the macula region, located at the back of the eye, which is essential for vision. Because of where they are concentrated, these two carotenoids are known as macular pigments. According to studies, lutein can protect your body and especially your eyes in many ways. However, when it comes to eye health, research indicates lutein’s main benefits include: suppressing inflammation; defending against free radicals and oxidative stress; enhancing the sharpness of vision; improving your sensitivity to visual contrast; reducing glare; protecting eye tissue from sunlight damage; reducing cell loss and death related to eye diseases; protecting the eyes from harmful blue light; converting light signals into electrical signals in the retina and aiding in the transmission of these signals to the visual cortex in the brain; protecting against myopia; and protecting premature babies from the effects of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP).
Table of relations
Lutein and Specific Conditions
-
Eye Health
The eyes are very important organs for the quality of life in general. They are extremely sensitive, thus they deserve preventive care because when they are harmed, they are not easily treated. The compounds used for eye health are mainly specific antioxidants and fatty acids.
Table of negative interactions
Related videos about Lutein
Other Antioxidants
Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) is a sulfur chemical compound found in plants, animals, and humans. It can also be chemically made. Known for its anti-...
Ver mais
Nitrate is a small molecule produced in the body to limited amounts and is obtainable via consumption of vegetables, particularly beetroot and oth...
Ver maisQuercetin is a bioflavonoid, which means it is a pigment, found mainly in apples and very easily consumed on a mediterranean/average healthy diet. ...
Ver maisResveratrol is a plant compound that acts as an antioxidant and can reduce low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C) levels and increase high-density lipopro...
Ver maisReferences
- ^ a b c d Goodrow EF, et al. Consumption of one egg per day increases serum lutein and zeaxanthin concentrations in older adults without altering serum lipid and lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations. J Nutr. (2006)
- ^ a b c d Handelman GJ, et al. Lutein and zeaxanthin concentrations in plasma after dietary supplementation with egg yolk. Am J Clin Nutr. (1999)
- ^ a b c d Wenzel AJ, et al. A 12-wk egg intervention increases serum zeaxanthin and macular pigment optical density in women. J Nutr. (2006)
- ^ a b c d e f g h Hammond BR Jr, et al. Dietary modification of human macular pigment density. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. (1997)
- ^ a b Solomons NW, Bulux J. Plant sources of vitamin A and human nutrition revisited: recent evidence from developing countries. Nutr Rev. (1994)
- ^ Stahl W, Sies H. Uptake of lycopene and its geometrical isomers is greater from heat-processed than from unprocessed tomato juice in humans. J Nutr. (1992)
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Chung HY, Rasmussen HM, Johnson EJ. Lutein bioavailability is higher from lutein-enriched eggs than from supplements and spinach in men. J Nutr. (2004)
- ^ a b c d Vishwanathan R, et al. Consumption of 2 and 4 egg yolks/d for 5 wk increases macular pigment concentrations in older adults with low macular pigment taking cholesterol-lowering statins. Am J Clin Nutr. (2009)
- ^ Surai PF, et al. Designer egg evaluation in a controlled trial. Eur J Clin Nutr. (2000)
- ^ a b Borel P, et al. Low and high responders to pharmacological doses of beta-carotene: proportion in the population, mechanisms involved and consequences on beta-carotene metabolism. J Lipid Res. (1998)
- ^ Johnson EJ, et al. Ingestion by men of a combined dose of beta-carotene and lycopene does not affect the absorption of beta-carotene but improves that of lycopene. J Nutr. (1997)
- ^ Henderson CT, et al. Normal serum response to oral beta-carotene in humans. J Am Coll Nutr. (1989)
- ^ Ahmed SS, Lott MN, Marcus DM. The macular xanthophylls. Surv Ophthalmol. (2005)
- ^ Junghans A, Sies H, Stahl W. Macular pigments lutein and zeaxanthin as blue light filters studied in liposomes. Arch Biochem Biophys. (2001)
- ^ la Cour M, Kiilgaard JF, Nissen MH. Age-related macular degeneration: epidemiology and optimal treatment. Drugs Aging. (2002)
- ^ Age-Related Eye Disease Study Research Group. A randomized, placebo-controlled, clinical trial of high-dose supplementation with vitamins C and E, beta carotene, and zinc for age-related macular degeneration and vision loss: AREDS report no. 8. Arch Ophthalmol. (2001)
- ^ van Leeuwen R, et al. Dietary intake of antioxidants and risk of age-related macular degeneration. JAMA. (2005)
- ^ Snellen EL, et al. Neovascular age-related macular degeneration and its relationship to antioxidant intake. Acta Ophthalmol Scand. (2002)
- ^ [No authors listed. Risk factors for neovascular age-related macular degeneration. The Eye Disease Case-Control Study Group. Arch Ophthalmol. (1992)
- ^ Beatty S, et al. Macular pigment and risk for age-related macular degeneration in subjects from a Northern European population. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. (2001)