| Taking the carotenoid lutein for the eyes is a | | | | hand, low blood levels of total carotenoids were |
| good idea, but you should also try to include more | | | | found in people that had AMD. The researchers |
| vegetables in your diet. If you aren't a big | | | | suggested that increased total carotenoid intake |
| vegetable eater, then you need more than lutein | | | | could protect against AMD. |
| for eyes. Here's what the latest studies have | | | | That would include taking lutein for the eyes, |
| shown. | | | | because it is a member of the carotenoid family, |
| Researchers in Japan recently measure blood | | | | as are alpha and beta-carotene, lycopene, |
| serum levels of a variety of different antioxidants | | | | zeaxanthin and beta-cryptoxanthin. Generally, they |
| in order to determine which ones were most | | | | will be listed on a supplement label as total mixed |
| important for reducing the risk of macular | | | | natural carotenoids, but the amount of lycopene, |
| degeneration. They compared the difference in | | | | zeaxanthin and lutein should be listed separately, |
| blood levels of people who did not have the | | | | as well. A good amount of mixed carotenoids to |
| disease to those that did. When a doctor | | | | strive for is 5000IU per day. |
| recommends lutein for the eyes, it is generally to | | | | Consumers need to be made aware that most of |
| reduce the risk of macular degeneration or the | | | | the supplements on the market do not contain |
| blindness that can result from it. | | | | natural ingredients. The majority of beta-carotene |
| There are several types of macular degeneration. | | | | on the market is synthetic. In studies concerning |
| The disease can occur in young people. The | | | | nutrients like lutein for eyes, researchers use a |
| research found that antioxidant levels were not | | | | high quality natural nutrient. In some cases, they |
| related to the development of macular | | | | use a specific food. For example, in one of the |
| degeneration early on in life. That type of the | | | | first studies that concerned taking lutein for the |
| disease is most likely due to genetics. But, they | | | | eyes, the doctor had her patients eating a full |
| did find that low antioxidant levels were | | | | serving of spinach, every day. Spinach provides a |
| associated with age-related macular degeneration | | | | variety of mixed carotenoids. |
| or AMD. | | | | If your doctor recommends lutein for eyes, go |
| The researchers were aware of the common | | | | ahead and take it. It certainly won't hurt you. But, |
| recommendations of lutein for eyes that suffer | | | | if you want to do the best thing that you can for |
| from AMD. But, they looked at other antioxidants, | | | | your overall health, take a supplement that |
| as well, including tocopherol (vitamin E), retinol | | | | contains a wide range of nutrients, including |
| (vitamin A), beta-cryptoxanthin, alpha and beta | | | | 5000IU of mixed carotenoids. |
| carotene, lycopene and zeaxanthin. | | | | Along with healthy diet and exercise, a good |
| What they found was that as a single antioxidant, | | | | multi-nutritional supplement may help you live a |
| taking lutein for eyes may not be beneficial, | | | | longer healthier life. So, while taking lutein for the |
| because low blood levels of that single nutrient | | | | eyes is a good idea, taking an excellent all natural |
| were not associated with AMD. On the other | | | | multi-nutritional supplement is a great one. |