Eye Saver! Lutein Effects on the Human Body According to the Researches

Lutein accumulates in large amounts in the retinal macula, the area of the human retina that is responsible for central vision. Lutein helps protect the eyes from oxidation and high-energy light damage.

There is a direct relationship between lutein intake and pigmentation in the eye, and other studies suggest that enhancing pigmentation in the macula may reduce the risk of eye diseases such as macular degeneration (AMD).

Since the only randomized clinical trial on lutein for eye health is a small study, more in-depth studies are needed to further understand the effects of lutein on vision.

Lutein is a nutrient that is absorbed by humans when they consume fruits and vegetables on a daily basis. If you are deficient in lutein, you can take supplements, and for elderly people with poor digestive systems, you can use a sublingual spray to supplement lutein, which was added as a dietary supplement back in 1996.

In addition, for excessive absorption of lutein will cause excess burden on the liver, the current regulations in Taiwan set the capsule, ingot health food lutein added upper limit of 30mg/d, the United States because lutein is not the main nutrition FDA does not specify it, but there is a recommended upper limit of 20mg / d.

The functional differences between lutein and lutein esters are unknown, but lutein esters need to be de-esterified in the human body before they can be converted for use; some studies have indicated that lutein esters are less bioavailable, but there are not many rigorous and complete reports to date.

Some research reports indicate that because free lutein has been removed from fatty acids through hydrolysis technology, the molecular weight has been greatly reduced to about 1/2 of that of esterified lutein, which does not need to go through the human digestive process and can be directly absorbed in the small intestine and transformed into nutrients required by the human body.

1, Protect the eyes from light damage, slow down the aging of the eyes and prevent lesions. The ultraviolet and blue light in sunlight entering the eyes will produce a large number of free radicals, leading to cataracts, macular degeneration, etc.

UV rays are generally filtered out by the cornea and lens, but blue light can penetrate the eye and reach the retina and macula, while lutein in the macula can filter out blue light and avoid damage to the eyes. The fatty outer layer of the macula is particularly vulnerable to oxidative damage from sunlight, so this area is highly susceptible to degeneration.

2, Lutein as an antioxidant and photoprotective effect, can promote the regeneration of retinal cells in the retina, can prevent severe myopia and retinal detachment, and can enhance vision and protect vision. Students, computer users, cell phone party, drivers and other groups need to focus on supplementation.

3, relieve the symptoms of visual fatigue, such as: blurred vision, dry eyes, eye swelling, eye pain, photophobia, etc. Increase macular pigment density, protect macula and promote macular development. Prevent macular degeneration and retinal pigment degeneration, reduce the production of vitreous warts and prevent the occurrence of AMD.

Which groups of people need to focus on lutein supplementation?

1, Adolescents in the eye development period coincides with the heaviest academic period, the "light" damage formed by insufficient intake or excessive consumption of lutein is the basic cause of myopia and amblyopia incidence of nearly 60%. Supplementary lutein is equivalent to adding a pair of "natural sunglasses" in the body, will make the majority of adolescents pseudomyopia, amblyopia to restore normal vision, to prevent myopia further deepening.

2, Long time use of electronic products office white-collar workers also need to be supplemented with lutein, because the release of harmful blue light from electronic products can cause irreversible damage to the fundus of the eye. By supplementing lutein can effectively resist the damage caused by blue light.

3，As the body functions of the elderly continue to degenerate, they cannot take in enough lutein through their daily diet. Timely supplementation of lutein can improve macular pigment density, protect the macula and promote macular development. Prevent macular degeneration and retinal pigment degeneration.