| As people live longer eye diseases such as | | | | macular tissue from destructive oxidation |
| macular degeneration and cataracts are on the | | | | reactions by eliminating free radicals. It can also |
| rise which has a negative effect on eye health. | | | | filter high energy blue light that has been known |
| This often robs people of their freedom and | | | | to damage the macula and skin. |
| quality of life. Age related macular degeneration | | | | It was first discovered by a researcher at |
| (AMD) is the leading cause of irreversible blindness | | | | Harvard University in 1994 that lutein plays an |
| in people over 65. AMD occurs when the cells in | | | | important role in eye health. Since that time there |
| the central part of the eye, which is called the | | | | has been significant research on its ability to |
| macular, begin to degrade. This causes loss of | | | | protect the eyes and is recommended by many |
| sight in the central part of the field of vision, but | | | | eye doctors for their patients. |
| leaves peripheral vision intact. | | | | According to a recent study done by Kemin |
| It is estimated that as many as 16 million | | | | Foods 91% of eye doctors believe that lutein |
| Americans show signs of the initial stages of AMD. | | | | plays an important role in promoting good eye |
| To put that into perspective that is roughly twice | | | | health. In addition, 58% of those surveyed believe |
| the population of Los Angeles. While this seems | | | | lutein is the best nutrient for promoting long term |
| like a very high number the fortunate thing is that | | | | eye health. This survey consisted of 150 |
| 90% exhibit the dry form of AMD which occurs | | | | ophthalmologists and 150 optometrists in the |
| over time and can be corrected with nutrition and | | | | United States about their perceptions of lutein. |
| lifestyle changes. The dry form of this disease is | | | | When the color of one's eyes starts to fade it is |
| not associated with blindness, but, if left untreated | | | | not a result of aging but a loss of lutein. It is used |
| can progress to the wet form of AMD. This | | | | by the eye as a natural antioxidant to eliminate |
| sudden form of the disease leads to blindness in | | | | damaging free radicals. Lutein as acts to filter |
| about 10% of AMD patients. | | | | damaging light from the eye. You can think of it |
| There are a number of factors that are known | | | | as a pair of natural sunglasses. |
| to lead to the development of AMD. Some of | | | | Assuming that we are getting enough lutein thru |
| these include age, eye color, gender, exposure to | | | | diet or nutritional supplementation the good news |
| sunlight, smoking, alcohol consumption and heart | | | | is that it has the ability to build reserves in the |
| disease to name a few. | | | | eye to assure long term eye heath. Even for |
| Lutein is a carotenoid found in some vegetables | | | | people that are not experiencing any eye |
| and fruits. It acts as a powerful antioxidant that | | | | problems they can benefit from lutein in |
| can protect the eyes from disease and is | | | | preserving the good eye health they already |
| essential for good vision and eye health. It is not | | | | have. Think of lutein as doing the same thing for |
| made by the body and can only be obtained by | | | | your eyes as sun block and moisturizer does for |
| the foods that we eat and nutritional supplements. | | | | your skin. If you start using it when you are |
| The problem is that large amounts of fruits and | | | | young you maintain the healthy appearance of |
| vegetables would need to be consumed to get | | | | your skin as you age. The same analogy can be |
| the required amount of lutein. It is found in green | | | | applied to your eyesight. When you are 60 it |
| leafy vegetables such as spinach and kale. It is | | | | would be nice to have the same vision as when |
| also found in corn and egg yolks. Carotenoids | | | | you were 30. |
| have shown benefits in reducing the risk of | | | | We know that we can not change our age, |
| cancer, heart disease and eye disease and | | | | genetics or gender but there are things in our |
| enhancing the body's immune system. | | | | lifestyle that we can change to protect our |
| Lutein is found in the macular which is the central | | | | eyesight. A few of these are to quit smoking, |
| part of the retina. While it is not a vitamin lutein is | | | | protect your eyes with sunglasses, limit your |
| an antioxidant that may help to protect the | | | | intake of alcohol and supplement with lutein. |