| If you're wondering; what is lutein used for, | | | | and brain cells. |
| you've come to the right place. Until recently, its | | | | Within the retina is found the macula, a spot in |
| most common use was as a natural coloring. It | | | | the back of the eye, responsible for central vision. |
| would be added to foods to impart colors ranging | | | | A high concentration of lutein, along with |
| form yellow to orange-red, depending on the | | | | zeaxanthin, is found in the macula. If you were |
| amount that was added. It imparts these colors, | | | | wondering what is lutein, because you have seen |
| because it absorbs blue light. | | | | it in a health supplement, zeaxanthin was probably |
| It was also used to fortify chicken feed. A | | | | another ingredient. Zeaxanthin is the dominant |
| chicken's skin is not naturally yellow, unless it eats | | | | pigment in the central macula. Lutein dominates in |
| lutein-fortified feed. A fortified diet, of this kind, | | | | the rest of the macula. |
| also results in eggs that have a darker yellow, | | | | Both are members of the carotenoid family of |
| nearly orange, yolk. The lutein that is present in | | | | pigments. Beta-carotene and lycopene are also |
| eggs is a result of chicken's eating fortified feed. | | | | carotenoids. Beta-carotene is converted within the |
| Chickens do not naturally produce it. It is produced | | | | body to vitamin A. |
| primarily by plants. | | | | At one time it was believed that only |
| As long as fruits and vegetables are consumed, it | | | | beta-carotene was important to healthy vision. |
| is a nutrient included in the human diet. It is just | | | | Now, it appears that the other carotenoids are |
| one of the reasons that eating fruits and | | | | just as important. If you ate a salad containing |
| vegetables (other than white potatoes) is so | | | | spinach, broccoli, romaine lettuce, carrots and |
| important. | | | | tomatoes, you would get a mixture of all of the |
| If you are wondering; what is lutein doing in | | | | carotenoids. If you took a health supplement, you |
| nutritional supplements, the answer has mostly to | | | | might only get beta-carotene. You would have to |
| do with the eyes. Inside of the eye is the retina. | | | | read the label to be sure. |
| Light receptors called rods and cones are found in | | | | You could be wondering what is lutein because |
| the retina. These are nerve cells responsible for | | | | your eye doctor suggested it as a dietary |
| transmitting signals to the brain and receiving | | | | supplement. You may be at risk of macula |
| signals from it. | | | | degeneration, an age related eye disease that can |
| Each of the rods and cones contains a membrane | | | | result in partial or total blindness. It is believed that |
| composed of protein and retinal or Vitamin A. | | | | supplements containing a variety of carotenoids, |
| Vitamin A deficiencies can cause blindness, but a | | | | along with other vitamins and minerals may |
| more common problem, night blindness, is due to | | | | reduce the risk of age-related macular |
| a lack of it in the diet. | | | | degeneration. That covers what is lutein. Maybe |
| Another component of the retina is the omega3 | | | | you should learn about the other nutrients that |
| fatty acid called DHA. It is the most abundant | | | | are important to good vision, for life. |
| fatty acid found in the retina, as it is in all nerve | | | | |