Taking Lutein For Macular Degeneration – Preliminary Studies Are Promising
Filed Under Anti Aging Supplement, Anti Aging Vitamin, Anti-Inflammatory, Antioxidant, Enteric Coating, Eyesight, Fish Oil Supplements, Heart Disease, Lutein, Main Content, Omega 3 Fatty Acids, Total Balance Supplements, Zeaxanthin | Leave a Comment
Several studies have looked at the value of lutein for macular degeneration. One research group refers to it as “anti-aging ophthalmology”. They group it with lifestyle related diseases. It does seem that unhealthy eating habits and other lifestyle factors, such as smoking, increase the risk, but there are genetic factors that come into play as well. Researchers first began to look at lutein and macular degeneration, because the antioxidant is one of the components of a healthy retina.
The retina is light sensitive tissue that lines the inner surface of the eye. The macula is a tiny spot within the retina that is responsible for central vision. Light striking the retina causes a cascade of chemical and electrical events that eventually send signals to the visual centers of the brain. Doctors recommending lutein for macular degeneration do so because some studies have found that taking it and other antioxidants reduce the risk of blindness from the “dry” type of the disease.
While there is no conclusive evidence linking low blood levels of lutein and macular degeneration, it has been noted that there is a lower concentration of both lutein and zeaxanthin in the retinas of people with the disease. Until recently, this could only be measured post-mortem, but one research group has found a way to measure zeaxanthin concentration. So, it may soon be possible for ophthalmologists to measure the antioxidant concentration in their offices and be able to make specific recommendation.
A six year study conducted at the National Eye Institute in Maryland draws the strongest connection between lutein and macular degeneration prevention. Doctors concluded that it does, in fact, protect against blindness, but they also included zeaxanthin in the nutritional formula that was given to patients.
You might be wondering why there is so much excitement about lutein for macular degeneration treatment. But, if you have any familiarity with the disease, you know that there are currently no effective treatments. Loss of central vision is the usual result and it affects 1.2 million Americans.
In addition to lutein and macular degeneration, anti-aging ophthalmology researchers have also looked at the value of fish oil, the antioxidant Astaxanthin and a variety of other “food factors” that they believe should be recommended for early intervention. Basically, it is the fish, fruit and vegetable diet that keeps people healthy.
Taking lutein for macular degeneration prevention may be a good idea. But, if you are over the age of 40 and haven’t always followed the fish-fruit-vegetable eating plan, you need more help.
There may not be a strong connection between low levels of lutein and macular degeneration in the elderly. But studies have shown that there is a strong connection between high levels of total antioxidants and “no” macular degeneration. The antioxidants studied were those that are found in the traditional Japanese diet.
The best suggestion for everyone is to find and take a good multi-nutritional supplement that contains a variety of plant extracts, including lutein, zeaxanthin, Astaxanthin, beta-carotene and green tea extract. A good omega 3 supplement (fish oil) is also important. Omega 3 fatty acids are another component of a healthy retina. Increasing total antioxidant intake will do more than taking lutein for macular degeneration, alone.
Valerie Rosenbaum has spent years researching the claims of anti aging supplements and skin care products to find out which ingredients and products are most effective at slowing or even reversing the aging process. If you are interested in restoring your youthful vigor and appearance then visit her website http://www.NaturalBalanceSupplements.com to learn more.
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Vision Supplements – Lutein, Zeaxanthin, Omega 3′s & Other Natural Ingredients to Include
Filed Under Anti Aging Supplement, Anti Aging Vitamin, Anti-Inflammatory, Antioxidant, Enteric Coating, Eyesight, Fish Oil Supplements, Heart Disease, Lutein, Main Content, Natural Supplements, Nutritional Supplements, Omega 3 Fatty Acids, Total Balance Supplements, Zeaxanthin | Leave a Comment
Before you buy vision supplements, you might want to learn about what they should contain. Although some visual problems are caused by genetics, prescription drugs or other health problems, more and more research indicates that inadequate nutritional intake is the biggest problem, particularly when it comes to age related eye disease.
The things that cause cellular aging in all of the cells of the body also have a detrimental affect on the eyes. Free radical damage, chronic inflammation and glycation negatively affect the health of the eyes, as they do all of the cells of the body.
When UV radiation from the sun enters the eye it triggers the production of free radical molecules. Antioxidants neutralize free radicals. UV rays are known to play a role in the development of cataracts and they may be involved in age-related macular degeneration, as well. According to recent studies, blue light, which is visible, seems to be more of a problem for macular degeneration.
Antioxidants known as lutein and zeaxanthin, which are abundant in fruits and vegetables, absorb blue light. Most vision supplements contain little more than lutein and zeaxanthin, but there is so much more that we need.
Many people think of inflammation as the thing that causes pain in the joints. But, inflammatory molecules are present all over the body and contribute to a variety of diseases, including cancer.
When eaten, certain foods, particularly omega 6 fatty acids and saturated fats, are quickly converted to inflammatory molecules. Other foods, such as omega 3′s found in fatty fish and fish oils, are converted to anti-inflammatory compounds. In addition, many antioxidants and plant extracts have natural anti-inflammatory activity. They neutralize the inflammatory compounds.
The best vision supplements contain nutrients that have natural anti-inflammatory activity, because inflammation plays a role in age-related macular degeneration (particularly the more serious “wet” type), glaucoma and retinal detachments, which are more common once a person passes the age of 50. Key nutrients to look for include alpha lipoic acid, turmeric, glutathione and resveratrol.
You have probably heard of free radical damage and inflammation, but you might not have heard about glycation. It is even more dangerous to your health than free radicals. The reason that you don’t hear much about it is because there isn’t much that you can do about it.
Few vision supplements contain the only nutrient that is known to prevent and break up the plaques caused by glycation. That nutrient is L-carnosine. It’s expensive and it must be protected by an enteric coating or there is little or no benefit to supplementation. Turmeric, glutathione and resveratrol must also be protected with an enteric coating; else they quickly degrade into inactive compounds.
Other nutrients and extracts that are beneficial for eye health include bilberry extract, molybdenum, beta-carotene, glucosamine, n-acetyl cysteine, vitamin B2 and B12. A high quality omega 3 fish oil supplement is another good choice. Most vision supplements on the market contain lutein and zeaxanthin, but not much else. The best multi-nutritional supplements contain all of the nutrients mentioned in this article. Not only are they good for your eyes, they are good for your whole body.
Valerie Rosenbaum has made it her mission to provide the public with information supporting the use of natural and clinically tested ingredients in their anti aging supplements. The best nutritional supplements will include a full complement of over 70 bio-active ingredients to create a healthy balance of nutrients and antioxidants within the body.
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Zeaxanthin For Macular Degeneration Prevention and Treatment in Dry AMD
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Most ophthalmologists recommend the antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin for macular degeneration that is age related, commonly referred to as AMD. It is unusual for doctor’s to recommend nutritional supplements of any kind, unless a person has an outright deficiency, but AMD is a unique condition.
There are no effective treatments for one type of AMD (dry), but there are some partially effective treatments for wet AMD. Together, these two are the major causes of blindness in the elderly. The wet form is the most severe, if not treated early.
In wet AMD, blood vessels grow up and behind the retina, an area responsible for gathering light and transmitting signals to the brain, resulting in sight. The blood vessels often rupture and leak blood and protein below the macula, a very sensitive area within the retina.
Eventually, bleeding, leaking and scarring causes irreversible damage to the light receptors (rods and cones). Rapid vision loss is experienced if it is left untreated. Laser treatment and drugs that inhibit blood vessel growth are usually recommended.
Generally, doctors recommend lutein and zeaxanthin for macular degeneration that is of the dry type. Dry AMD is much more common than wet. It is caused by a build up of yellow deposits called drusen on the retina.
In nature lutein and zeaxanthin are pigments or colors. They are normally present in the retina, with zeaxanthin being concentrated in the macula and lutein more highly concentrated in the periphery of the retina. There roles within the eye are not well understood, but they seem to help reduce or prevent the build up of drusen.
Drusen is similar in composition to the deposits that are found in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients and the plaque that is present in atherosclerosis. People with either of those two conditions have a higher risk of developing dry AMD.
Some doctors recommend taking lutein and zeaxanthin for macular degeneration prevention, particularly to their patients that have a family history of the disease. But, since the drusen are similar to the deposits that cause Alzheimer’s and heart disease, other antioxidants may be beneficial, as well.
Curcumin, an antioxidant present in the spice turmeric, is currently being studied for its benefit in Alzheimer’s disease. Not only does it prevent the accumulation of the plaque, it breaks it up. It might be able to break up the drusen in AMD, too.
One study indicates that the ideal combination of nutrients is omega 3 fatty acids, beta carotene, vitamin E, lutein and zeaxanthin for macular degeneration. Omega 3 fatty acids, particularly DHA, are the most abundant fatty acids present in the retina. Beta-carotene is converted by the body to vitamin A, which is essential for good vision. Vitamin E is well-known for its antioxidant activity.
Prevention is worth a pound of cure, they say. In order to prevent AMD, people should lower their total fat intake, and increase their nutrient intake. This may help reduce the risk of many other diseases, as well. Taking zeaxanthin for macular degeneration prevention is a good idea. Taking a multi-nutritional supplement that contains it, is a great one.
Valerie Rosenbaum has made it her mission to provide the public with information supporting the use of natural and clinically tested ingredients in their anti aging supplements. The best nutritional supplements will include a full complement of over 70 bio-active ingredients to create a healthy balance of nutrients and antioxidants within the body.
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5 Simple Foods That Contain Lutein to Preserve & Enhance Eyesight
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If you’re wondering how much lutein is in food, this article will give you the information that you’re looking for. Including the antioxidant in your daily diet is a good idea, especially to reduce your risk of age related eye diseases, such as macular degeneration. There may be other benefits, as well. So, here are the foods that are good sources, along with how much you would need to eat every day.
Recommendations for daily intake vary. No minimum daily requirements have been established. You will not see the nutrient listed on food packaging. But, judging from the scientific studies, 10-50mg per day is necessary to protect the long-term health of the eyes.
That’s not to say that people who don’t get that much have poor eyesight. No studies concerning that have been done. The studies that have been done focused primarily on macular degeneration and at least 10mg has been necessary to slow down the progression of the disease.
When we are talking about how much lutein is in food, we are talking about the average or approximate amount. The nutrient content of vegetables varies greatly. Organic vegetables appear to be the most nutrient rich, but soil and weather conditions have a lot to do with it, too. So, these values are approximate.
Let’s look at what you would need to eat to get approximately 20mg per day, because that’s a little more than the minimum and could make up for variations in nutritional content. In order to get 20, you could eat:
- 91 grams or 3.25 ounces of kale
- 123 grams or 5 ounces of collard greens
- 181 grams or 6.5 ounces of Swiss chard
- 158 grams or 7 ounces of cooked spinach
- 202 grams or 8 ounces of mustard greens
If you were wondering how much lutein is in food, those are the best sources. If none of those happen to be on your daily diet, a dietary supplement is an option. Actually, even if you do eat one or more of those foods every day, supplementation is still a good option.
Lutein is not the only nutrient that is necessary for good vision and continued health of the eyes. Zeaxanthin, a primary component of the macula, is also important. The amount of zeaxanthin in foods is even lower.
You see, lutein is in food, but not in large quantities, that makes it a micronutrient. At one time, scientists did not believe that micronutrients were important to human health. Only the basic vitamins and minerals were considered essential, because without them, deficiency disease would occur.
Today, more and more healthcare professionals are coming to the realization that those basic nutrients are not the only important elements of the human diet. In order to wipe out deficiency diseases, fortified foods were developed. Vitamins were added to flour, milk and other common foods, to increase their nutritive value.
That meant that people could basically exist on white bread and milk, but they didn’t get any of the micronutrients present in “real” foods. Your daily multi-vitamin probably contains about 30 different ingredients, but there are over 50 different micronutrients that they do not contain.
Now that you know a little more about how much lutein is in food, you might want to take the time to learn about what a complete nutritional supplement can do for you.
Valerie Rosenbaum has made it her mission to provide the public with information supporting the use of natural and clinically tested ingredients in their anti aging supplements. The best nutritional supplements will include a full complement of over 70 bio-active ingredients to create a healthy balance of nutrients and antioxidants within the body. If you want to look and feel younger then visit NaturalBalanceSupplements.com to learn more.
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Preserve Vision Through Nutritional Supplements Containing Lutein
Filed Under Anti Aging Vitamin, Antioxidant, Enteric Coating, Eyesight, Lutein, Main Content, Natural Supplements, Nutritional Supplements, Total Balance Supplements, Zeaxanthin | Leave a Comment
Can you preserve your vision with lutein, zeaxanthin, beta-carotene, lycopene and other carotenoids? Researchers have looked at that question on several different occasions. They have not always come up with the same answers, but it could be because of the quality of the supplements that they chose to use in the studies. Many of us are of the opinion that “natural” would be the best choice.
As yet, there have been no studies comparing the efficacy of a synthetic versus a natural. It might even come as a surprise to you that artificial vitamins exist. Ten years ago, I was unaware that the ingredients used to fortify inexpensive foods like white bread were synthetic. I would have never imagined that the base compound used to create these synthetic vitamins was petroleum. They belong to a large group of synthetic chemicals called petrochemicals.
Now that I know the truth, I am very careful about anything that I put into my body. I do hope to protect my vision with lutein and other nutrients, but I only buy the highest quality supplements that contain all natural ingredients.
There are a growing number of health experts in the mainstream medical community who believe that many of the problems that commonly accompany old age are due not to the natural aging process, but to exposure to petrochemicals and other toxins in the environment. The body has natural processes to rid itself of these toxins, but when a person is exposed to thousands of different ones on a daily basis and is even eating them, there is no way for the body to cleanse itself.
The main reason that we may be able to preserve our vision with lutein is due to a age-related eye disease called macular degeneration. There are many risk factors for the disease, including family history, but there are dietary risk factors, as well. High intake of dietary fat and being overweight or obese are among them.
If you or someone you love has a weight problem, here’s are a few suggestions. Start eating more natural, non-processed foods. Skip the artificial preservatives and the fortified breakfast cereals. Stop drinking sodas, especially diet sodas. Drink water, coffee, green tea, juices and herbal teas, instead. Take a good multi-nutritional supplement every day.
If you want to protect your vision with lutein, the better anti aging nutritional supplements contain it. They also contain a variety of plant extracts and nutrients that are beneficial for people that are overweight or obese. If you don’t think that an overweight person could have a nutritional deficiency, think again.
Doctors are finding that most of their overweight patients have a vitamin D deficiency. That’s a very simple vitamin, but difficult to get through diet, alone. Milk is fortified with it, but, it’s not fortified with the natural form of the vitamin.
Other nutrients are even more difficult to get in the diet, because they are present in such low quantities. For example, for people that want to protect their vision with lutein, 10-50mg per day is recommended, there are no foods that provide that much in a single serving. So, take a supplement, just be sure the ingredients are all natural.
Valerie Rosenbaum has made it her mission to provide the public with information supporting the use of natural and clinically tested ingredients in their anti aging supplements. The best nutritional supplements will include a full complement of over 70 bio-active ingredients to create a healthy balance of nutrients and antioxidants within the body. If you want to look and feel younger then visit http://www.NaturalBalanceSupplements.com to learn more.
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