Lutein Dosage Lutein health benefit
lutein supplement

Lutein is a carotenoid which is beginning to become popular as a dietary supplement, either by itself, or most commonly combined with other carotenoids and vitamins for the prevention of visual disorders or to improve visual acuity. 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 they are clinically referred to as the macula lutea. For more lutein information.

Lutein, 20 mg, 60 Capsules
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Lutein is a potent antioxidant carotenoid found in abundance in fruits and green leafy vegetables. Lutein is also one of the dominant pigments found in the macular region of the retina. In the macula, lutein is selectively accumulated from plasma and filters out visible blue light. Recent studies suggest this filtering process serves to protect the retina from damage caused by light or oxidation. This Lutein product is extracted from the marigold flower.

Lutein Supplement Facts:
Lutein - 20 mg *

Suggested Use: One lutein capsule with breakfast a few times a week, or as recommended by your health care professional.

* Lutein supplement daily value not established.

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Macula and lutein
The existence of the macula lutea of the human retina has been known for more than 200 years. It is established that the carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin are responsible for the yellow color. The effect of macular photopigments on blue-light filtration and color perception is well established. It has been postulated that the pigment might serve to reduce chromatic aberration and to improve visual acuity. The antioxidant capabilities of these xanthophylls combined with their ability to trap short-wavelength light may serve to protect the outer retina, retinal pigment epithelium, and choriocapillaris from oxidative damage.

Lutein and vision
Supplementation with the carotenoids lutein or zeaxanthin improves human visual performance.
Ophthalmic Physiol Opt. 2006 Jul;26(4):362-71. Kvansakul J, et al. Applied Vision Research Centre, Department of Optometry and Visual Science, City University, London, UK.
Macular pigment is found in diurnal primate species when vision spans a range of ambient illumination and is mediated by cone and rod photoreceptors. The exact role of macular pigment remains to be determined. In this study we investigate two new hypotheses for possible macular pigment functions. We investigated 34 subjects from a carotenoid supplementation trial. The measurements included high mesopic contrast acuity thresholds (CATs), macular pigment optical density (MPOD), wavefront aberrations, and scattered light. The measurements were made after 6 months of daily supplementation with zeaxanthin (Z, OPTISHARP), lutein, a combination of the two (C), or placebo (P), and again after a further 6 months of doubled supplementation. RESULTS: The data reveal a trend toward lower CATs in all groups supplemented, with a statistically significant improvement in the lutein group, although there was no correlation with MPOD. Light scattering in the eye and the root-mean-square wavefront aberrations show decreasing trends as a result of supplementation, but no correlation with MPOD. The results suggest that supplementation with Lutein or Zeaxanthin increases macular pigment optical density at the fovea and at 2.5 degrees , and that supplementation can improve CATs at high mesopic levels and hence visual performance at low illumination.

Food sources of lutein and zeaxanthin
Zeaxanthin and lutein are found in spinach, kale, eggs, turnip greens, collard greens, romaine lettuce, broccoli, zucchini, corn, garden peas and Brussels sprouts.

Lutein dosage
As to using a lutein supplement, most of the capsules come in 20 mg dosage. We don't think this dosage is necessary to take on a daily basis. Taking a 20 mg lutein capsule 2 or 3 times a week should be fine.

Ocuvite research
Bausch & Lomb developed Ocuvite Adult and Ocuvite Adult 50+, two formulas that help provide the supplemental nutrition eyes need to stay healthy with age. These Ocuvite soft gels contain Omega-3 (100 mg and 150 mg) and Lutein (2 mg and 6 mg), nutrients important to the health of the macula, the part of the eye responsible for central vision. Because the body cannot manufacture Lutein or Omega-3 and ordinary multi-vitamins only contain a fraction of the these nutrients, Ocuvite Adult and Ocuvite Adult 50+ are important to help maintain eye health.

Evaluation of dietary antioxidant levels and supplementation with ICAPS-Plus and Ocuvite.
J Am Optom Assoc. 1993 Dec;64(12):862-70. Pacific University, College of Optometry, Forest Grove, OR 97116.
To assess the normal dietary intake of the antioxidants, 28 healthy subjects 55 years of age and over completed a diet survey. Then two over-the-counter (OTC) nutritional supplements that make claims about the antioxidant nutrients they contain ( ICAPS-Plus and Ocuvite ) were evaluated with respect to their ability to raise blood levels of two important antioxidant nutrients: zinc and beta-carotene. Based on the diet survey, 26 of the 28 subjects were found to have deficient intakes; zinc and selenium were the most commonly deficient nutrients. Following a 2-week administration period, both ICAPS-Plus and Ocuvite significantly raised mean serum zinc levels 24.7 percent and 18 percent respectively; ICAPS-Plus significantly raised mean beta-carotene levels by 21.4 percent, but Ocuvite did not change the mean level significantly. Based on the probable relationship between antioxidant levels and diseases such as ARMD, these results suggest that OTC supplements might be useful for selected patients.

For more lutein eye information.

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lutein research