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
Club Natural

Potency and Purity
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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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