Club Natural
Supports Healthy Vision
The benefit of Lutein supplement and Zeaxanthin for eyesight
Lutein is a pigment
found in the macula of the
eye. The benefit of lutein and zeaxanthin is to absorb light in the blue-green
region of the visible spectrum. In humans the roles of lutein and zeaxanthin are
to improve visual function and to act as antioxidants in order to protect the macula
from damage by oxidative stress. Of the many carotenoids circulating in human
sera, only lutein and zeaxanthin are accumulated throughout the tissues of the
eye. Within the eye, they reach their highest concentration in the central
retina, where vision is at its sharpest.
Benefit of Lutein
supplement
for Age
Related Macular Degeneration
Age-related macular degeneration is the leading
cause of vision loss in aging Western societies. The macula is a small area of
the retina that has the sharpest vision. With age, the macula degenerates
leading to poor eyesight. Lutein supplementation appears to benefit. Lutein is also helpful in retinal degeneration.
Benefit of Lutein
supplement for Cataracts
Visual function in patients with age-related cataracts who received lutein supplements
improved, suggesting that a higher intake of lutein, through lutein-rich fruit
and vegetables or supplements, may have beneficial effects on the visual
performance of people with age-related cataracts.
Daily Requirement for Lutein
supplement
It has been estimated that Americans consume about 1 to 2 mg of lutein per day,
although dietary guidelines of the US Dietary Association Food Guide Pyramid
recommend closer to 5 mg a day. Most lutein supplements come in a 10 or 20 mg
dosage. You may only need to take these two or three times a week.
Additional Benefits of Lutein
supplement
Lutein and zeaxanthin are xanthophyll carotenoids widely distributed in
tissues and are the principal carotenoids in the eye lens and macular region of
the retina. Epidemiologic studies indicating an inverse relationship between
xanthophyll intake or status and both cataract and age-related macular
degeneration suggest these compounds can play a protective role in the eye. Some
studies have also shown these xanthophylls may help reduce the risk of certain
types of cancer, particularly those of the breast and lung. Emerging studies
suggest as well a potential contribution of lutein and zeaxanthin to the
prevention of heart disease and stroke.
Lutein supplement Research Update
The effect of zeaxanthin and lutein supplement on metabolites of these
carotenoids in the serum of persons aged 60 or older.
Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2006 Dec;47(12):5234-42. Department of Chemistry
and Biochemistry, Joint Institute for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (JIFSAN).
To investigate the effect of lutein supplement at doses of 2.5, 5.0, and 10 mg/d
for 6 months on distribution of these carotenoids and their metabolites in the
serum of elderly human subjects, with and without age-related macular
degeneration. To determine whether lutein supplement can interact with the serum
levels of other dietary carotenoids, retinol, and alpha-tocopherol. Forty-five
subjects received daily lutein supplement (containing 5% zeaxanthin) for 6
months and were followed up for another 6 months after supplementation. Blood
was collected at various intervals and lutein, zeaxanthin, and their metabolites
in the sera were quantified by normal-phase high-performance liquid
chromatography (HPLC)-UV/visible detection. Other dietary carotenoids, retinol,
and alpha-tocopherol were identified. After 6 months of 10 mg of lutein
supplement, the increases in the mean serum levels from baseline were: 210 to
1000 nM/L for lutein and 56 to 95 nM/L for zeaxanthin. Similarly, the mean
concentrations of carotenoid metabolites increased from 49 to 98 for
3-hydroxy-beta,epsilon-caroten-3'-one (3'-oxolutein); 31 to 80 for
3'-hydroxy-epsilon,epsilon-caroten-3-one; and 19 to 25 for
epsilon,epsilon-carotene-3,3'-dione. The serum levels of these carotenoids
gradually decline within 6 months after supplementation. : The increase in the
serum levels of lutein zeaxanthin correlates with increases in the serum levels
of their metabolites that have previously been identified in the ocular tissues.
Elderly human subjects with and without AMD can safely take supplements of
lutein up to 10 mg/d for 6 months with no apparent toxicity or side effects.
Plasma kinetics of lutein, zeaxanthin, and
3-dehydro-lutein after multiple oral doses of a lutein supplement.
Am J Clin Nutr. 2005 Jul;82(1):88-97. Institute of Clinical Pharmacology,
HELIOS Klinikum Wuppertal, University of Witten/Herdecke, Wuppertal, Germany.
Adequate intake of lutein is postulated to reduce the risk of age-related
macular degeneration, but kinetic information for developing a dosing regimen is
sparse. The objective was to characterize lutein plasma kinetics in a multiple
dosing design and to assess the effects of lutein supplement on concentrations
of other plasma carotenoids. After a run-in period of 7 d, 19 healthy volunteers
were assigned to receive daily oral doses of 4.1 mg lutein supplement (n = 8;
group 1) or 20.5 mg lutein supplement (n = 8; group 2) for 42 d or no lutein
supplement (n = 3; control group). The supplement contained 8.3% zeaxanthin
relative to lutein (100%). RESULTS: Average plasma all-E- lutein concentrations
increased from 0.14 to 0.52 and 1.45 micromol/L in groups 1 and 2, respectively.
Lutein supplement was well tolerated and did not affect the concentrations of
other carotenoids. CONCLUSION: Long-term supplementation with 4.1 and 20.5 mg
lutein supplement as beadlets increased plasma lutein concentrations
approximately 3.5- and 10-fold, respectively.
Antioxidants, Lutein and Eyesight -- The January, 2003 issue of the medical
journal
The macula is a small area of the
retina that has the sharpest vision. With age, the macula degenerates leading to
poor eyesight. Thirty patients with early macular degeneration were divided into
two groups, antioxidant group (A) and no treatment group (NT). Patients in the A
group were given lutein, 15 mg; vitamin E, 20 mg; and nicotinamide, 18 mg, daily
for 180 days, whereas NT patients had no dietary supplementation during the same
period. In all patients and normal subjects, retinal assessment was performed at
the start of the study and after 180 days. When evaluated at 180 days, the
macula had improved in those taking the antioxidants while the NT group did not
have any changes. The results suggest that increasing the level of retinal
antioxidants influences macular function early in the disease process, as well
as in normal aging. Dr. Sahelian says: There are so many antioxidants to choose
from for enhanced eyesight that it is difficult to recommend a specific
combination that would apply to everyone. Supplements of lutein, vitamins C and
E, and lipoic acid should be on the top of the list for eyesight improvement,
along with, of course, plenty of organic fruits and vegetables.
The macular pigments are predominantly composed of
three carotenoids: lutein, zeaxanthin, and meso-zeaxanthin. These pigments have
two major roles: as filters and antioxidants. Evidence suggests that increased
levels of macular pigment are correlated with a decreased risk of age-related
macular degeneration. Studies reveal that oral supplementation with lutein and
zeaxanthin can increase the levels of macular pigments in the retina and plasma.
Lutein is not a vitamin. Lutein is a supplement for eyesight health.
Lutein supplement questions
Q. Are there any side effects to lutein supplement use? Is lutein for
eyes, only?
A. I would guess that high doses of lutein supplement
could cause side effects but research has not indicated what these side effects
would be. It is best to take a break from using a lutein supplement at least 2
days a week. Lutein is mainly for eyes, but since it is an antioxidant, it could
potentially be helpful in other conditions, but research is quite limited. I
would suggest not taking more than 20 mg 2 or 3 times a week.
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