| One of the most important nutrients for the | | | | one should eat several servings a week. In those |
| prevention of Macular Degeneration is Lutein. | | | | people who have a family history of macular |
| Lutein is found in very high concentrations in the | | | | degeneration additional steps should be taken. In |
| eye, in particular it is found in highest levels in he | | | | any case where nutrients from food are being |
| macula. The macula is the section of the retina | | | | taken for therapeutic purposes, the amount of |
| responsible for central vision. As such it is one of | | | | food may become too much. A method of |
| the most crucial sections of the human eye. Any | | | | dealing with this is to either juice, or to take |
| form of deterioration to the macula will result in | | | | supplements. Juice will allow you to consume much |
| extreme vision complications. | | | | more of the nutrient than if you were to eat the |
| Lutein is found in green leafy vegetables, not | | | | whole food. Juicing removes the fiber but keeps |
| animal sources. Many people think of carrots when | | | | the nutrients. Kale and spinach can both be juiced |
| the discussion of what vegetables are useful in | | | | and mixed with apples and carrots to make the |
| maintaining visual health. While this is correct, as | | | | taste more pleasant and in this way you can |
| carrots contain Beta-Carotene, the most | | | | achieve optimal amounts of lutein. |
| important nutrient for protecting the macula is not | | | | The other method of achieving the desired |
| found in carrots. It is found in highest does in | | | | amount of lutein is to supplement. |
| vegetables such as spinach and kale. One can also | | | | Supplementation is an optimal way of consuming |
| find it in eggs. | | | | high doses of a nutrient without eating an |
| Lutein has been found to be an effective nutrient | | | | overwhelming amount of food. Think of it this |
| for preventing and treating macular degeneration. | | | | way, you could eat two bowls of spinach twice a |
| It has also been studied in regards to other forms | | | | day, or take a supplemental pill of Lutein. Now, it |
| of eye disorders. It has been shown to be helpful | | | | is always advisable to get most of a nutrient |
| in preventing cataracts and also in improving the | | | | from whole food sources, however it is very |
| visual acuity of those who took supplemental | | | | difficult to consume enough spinach or kale if you |
| doses of lutein. In addition to the fact that lutein is | | | | are looking to treat macular degeneration or are |
| found in high concentrations in the macula it is also | | | | extremely concerned with developing it, which is |
| important to realize that luetin is an exceptionally | | | | why it is recommended you both supplement and |
| powerful antioxidant. As one of the major causes | | | | consume the vegetables. |
| of eye failure is oxidative stress this nutrient is | | | | Lutein is one of the most powerful nutrients |
| essential. | | | | available for those concerned about macular |
| The sources of lutein are leafy green vegetables, | | | | degeneration. For anyone who is looking to |
| and in lower doses, other vegetables such as | | | | prevent vision disorders and to treat macular |
| brussels sprouts and zucchini. However, the | | | | degeneration with nutrients, it would behoove |
| highest doses are found in spinach and kale. In | | | | them to investigate further the uses of lutein. |
| order to achieve optimal amounts of the nutrient | | | | |