What Good is Lutein?
Filed Under Anti Aging Supplement, Anti Aging Vitamin, Anti-Inflammatory, Antioxidant, Enteric Coating, Fish Oil Supplements, Heart Disease, Lutein, Main Content, Natural Supplements, Nutritional Supplements, Omega 3 Fatty Acids, Total Balance Supplements, Zeaxanthin | Leave a Comment
If you’re wondering; what is lutein used for, you’ve come to the right place. Until recently, its most common use was as a natural coloring. It would be added to foods to impart colors ranging form yellow to orange-red, depending on the amount that was added. It imparts these colors, because it absorbs blue light.
It was also used to fortify chicken feed. A chicken’s skin is not naturally yellow, unless it eats lutein-fortified feed. A fortified diet, of this kind, also results in eggs that have a darker yellow, nearly orange, yolk. The lutein that is present in eggs is a result of chicken’s eating fortified feed. Chickens do not naturally produce it. It is produced primarily by plants.
As long as fruits and vegetables are consumed, it is a nutrient included in the human diet. It is just one of the reasons that eating fruits and vegetables (other than white potatoes) is so important.
If you are wondering; what is lutein doing in nutritional supplements, the answer has mostly to do with the eyes. Inside of the eye is the retina. Light receptors called rods and cones are found in the retina. These are nerve cells responsible for transmitting signals to the brain and receiving signals from it.
Each of the rods and cones contains a membrane composed of protein and retinal or Vitamin A. Vitamin A deficiencies can cause blindness, but a more common problem, night blindness, is due to a lack of it in the diet.
Another component of the retina is the omega3 fatty acid called DHA. It is the most abundant fatty acid found in the retina, as it is in all nerve and brain cells.
Within the retina is found the macula, a spot in the back of the eye, responsible for central vision. A high concentration of lutein, along with zeaxanthin, is found in the macula. If you were wondering what is lutein, because you have seen it in a health supplement, zeaxanthin was probably another ingredient. Zeaxanthin is the dominant pigment in the central macula. Lutein dominates in the rest of the macula.
Both are members of the carotenoid family of pigments. Beta-carotene and lycopene are also carotenoids. Beta-carotene is converted within the body to vitamin A.
At one time it was believed that only beta-carotene was important to healthy vision. Now, it appears that the other carotenoids are just as important. If you ate a salad containing spinach, broccoli, romaine lettuce, carrots and tomatoes, you would get a mixture of all of the carotenoids. If you took a health supplement, you might only get beta-carotene. You would have to read the label to be sure.
You could be wondering what is lutein because your eye doctor suggested it as a dietary supplement. You may be at risk of macula degeneration, an age related eye disease that can result in partial or total blindness. It is believed that supplements containing a variety of carotenoids, along with other vitamins and minerals may reduce the risk of age-related macular degeneration. That covers what is lutein. Maybe you should learn about the other nutrients that are important to good vision, for life.
Valerie Rosenbaum has spent years researching the claims of anti aging supplement products 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 NaturalBalanceSupplements.com
Lutein Enriched Multi-Vitamin Supplements
Filed Under Anti Aging Supplement, Anti Aging Vitamin, Anti-Inflammatory, Antioxidant, Enteric Coating, Fish Oil Supplements, Lutein, Main Content, Nutritional Supplements, Omega 3 Fatty Acids, Total Balance Supplements, Zeaxanthin | Leave a Comment
If you are shopping for lutein enriched multi-vitamins, you may be shocked by the prices. One formula costs $40 per bottle and it contains only six nutrients. Of course, price is not the only consideration. Here are some things to consider. Let’s start with a recommendation about where “not” to buy it.
E-bay and other auction sites are great if you are buying collectible figurines, but it’s not the place to buy healthcare products of this kind. E-bay resellers pick up salvaged goods. There is no way to determine what has been sitting alongside that supplement or what nutrients it contains. Even if it is the same brand that you have been using, it could easily have been contaminated.
Additionally, the potency of a product reduces over time. You really shouldn’t buy anything that is even close to its expiration date. These products are manufactured years before they expire. You really don’t want to take something that has been sitting on a shelf for years.
The next thing to consider when buying lutein enriched multi-vitamins is the other nutrients that are included in the formula. Are they 100% natural? Is the vitamin E natural or synthetic? Does it even include vitamin E?
According to the latest research, the most effective supplement is one that contains mixed carotenoids, not just beta-carotene and lutein, but also zeaxanthin and lycopene. The multi-nutritional supplement used in the latest study also included alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E), bilberry extract and DHA, an omega-3 fatty acid. Like lutein and zeaxanthin, DHA is one of the major components of the retina.
You will have to buy a separate omega 3 supplement, because the nutritional formula that works best for the eyes must be protected by an enteric coating. It cannot be mixed with fish oil, which is the best source of DHA. The enteric coating allows for the highest degree of effectiveness.
Those $40 lutein enriched multi-vitamins that I mentioned in the first paragraph contain no vitamin E. It does contain lutein and zeaxanthin, but the dosage of zeaxanthin is less than what nutritional experts recommend for a 5 year old. These supplements are normally marketed towards older people with failing eyesight. They would need at least 50mg of lutein and 10mg of zeaxanthin to see any improvement.
The $40 supplement contains too much taurine and not enough alpha lipoic acid. Research and development teams may disagree about the proper dosage. So, there may be an honest explanation for the poor quality of expensive lutein enriched multi-vitamins, but in most cases, the manufacturer is taking advantage of the customers’ limited knowledge.
For $41, you can get a supplement that provides 91 different nutrients, including essential vitamins and minerals. So, you would no longer need to take a daily multi-vitamin. If you are over the age of 40, you should be taking calcium, magnesium, vitamin D and vitamin K2 to reduce your risk of osteoporosis or bone loss. The job of vitamin K2 is to put calcium where it is need and make sure that it does not get deposited in the arteries.
The best lutein enriched multi-vitamins, contains all of the nutrients mentioned in this article. They are specially formulated to stave off all age-related diseases and to provide improvement for people that already have them.
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.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Valerie_Rosenbaum
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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.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Valerie_Rosenbaum
http://EzineArticles.com/?Taking-Lutein-For-Macular-Degeneration—Preliminary-Studies-Are-Promising&id=2222746
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.
Article Source:http://EzineArticles.com/?Vision-Supplements—Lutein,-Zeaxanthin,-Omega-3s-and-Other-Natural-Ingredients-to-Include&id=2222752
Zeaxanthin For Macular Degeneration Prevention and Treatment in Dry AMD
Filed Under Anti Aging Supplement, Anti Aging Vitamin, Antioxidant, Enteric Coating, Eyesight, Lutein, Main Content, Total Balance Supplements, Zeaxanthin | Leave a Comment
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.
Article Source:http://EzineArticles.com/?Zeaxanthin-For-Macular-Degeneration-Prevention-and-Treatment-in-Dry-AMD&id=2222757
