Lutein is a carotenoid which has become popular as a dietary supplement either by itself, or combined with zeaxanthin and other carotenoids, herbs, and vitamins for the prevention of visual disorders such as macular degeneration or to help support healthy eyesight. Lutein and zeaxanthin play an important role in the eye: they accumulate in the retina, where they form the macular pigment, and in the lens. Their role is probably to filter out phototoxic blue light and to quench singlet oxygen. Humans consume 1 to 3 mg lutein per day and the lutein : zeaxanthin ratio in the diet is about 5:1.
   Less than 30 of the thousands of carotenoids found in nature are found in the human body. These carotenoids are present in the body from the foods or dietary supplements that humans consume. The body does not synthesize them. Among the carotenoids present in the body, only lutein and its coexistent isomer, zeaxanthin, are found in that portion of the eye where light is focused by the lens, namely, the macula lutea.

Food sources of Lutein
Vegetables are the richest source of dietary lutein. Lutein is found in many vegetables, fruits, herbs, and flowers. Good amounts of lutein and found in foods such as dark green leafy vegetables and egg yolks. Kale and spinach have high concentrations of lutein. Corn and collard greens also have lutein. Marigold petals have a high content of lutein.
   Additional good sources of lutein in food includes the paprika fruit, loquat peel. The leaves and pods of the drumstick tree are used as food and medicine in some Asian and African countries. High concentrations of beta-carotene and lutein are found in the leaves.

Eyesight Rx will make you see better
Developed by Ray Sahelian, M.D.

Unlike some eyesight products that provide vitamins and herbs for long term healthy eyesight support, and prevention of visual impairment, but don't seem to have much of an immediate effect on visual acuity, Eyesight Rx was formulated to provide visual support and prevention, along with a noticeable eyesight improvement in a shorter period of time. Some people notice vision enhancement benefits within a few days, others may require up to a month to notice the visual enhancement. For better vision, we also suggest eating more cold water fish or for taking one to three fish oil capsules a day.

Reports from Eyesight Rx users indicate clarity of vision, colors being brighter, better focus, and overall improvement in close and distance vision. Along with the visual effects, many people notice being more mentally alert. What makes this formula unique is that the tablet can be melted under the tongue for a quick absorption of the nutrients into the bloodstream, thus bypassing the gastric and intestinal interference. After a minute or two under the tongue, the rest of the tablet that has not dissolved can be swallowed. If you are taking Eyesight Rx on a regular basis, you would not need to take an additional lutein supplement.

Click here for a list of ingredients, to buy Eyesight Rx, to buy a lutein 20 mg supplement product, to sign up to a FREE newsletter. You will find hundreds of high quality products

The benefit of lutein and zeaxanthin for eyesight
Lutein is a pigment found in the macula of the eye. The benefit of lutein and zeaxanthin is to absorb light in the blue-green region of the visible spectrum. In humans the roles of lutein and zeaxanthin are to improve visual function and to act as antioxidants in order to protect the macula from damage by oxidative stress. Of the many carotenoids circulating in human sera, only lutein and zeaxanthin are accumulated throughout the tissues of the eye. Within the eye, they reach their highest concentration in the central retina, where vision is at its sharpest.

Club Natural - Lutein, 20 mg capsule
Potency and Purity Guaranteed - Certificate of Analysis available.

Lutein is a potent antioxidant carotenoid found in abundance in fruits and green leafy vegetables. Lutein is also one of the dominant pigments found in the macular region of the retina. In the macula, lutein is selectively accumulated from plasma and filters out visible blue light. Recent studies suggest this filtering process serves to protect the retina from damage caused by light or oxidation. This 20 mg product is extracted from the marigold flower. Most people only need to take a 20 mg capsule two or three times a week. To purchase lutein capsules, click the link above in blue.

Benefit of lutein for age related macular degeneration
Age-related macular degeneration is the leading cause of vision loss in aging Western societies. The macula is a small area of the retina that has the sharpest vision. With age, the macula degenerates leading to poor eyesight.  Lutein supplementation appears to benefit. Lutein is also helpful in retinal degeneration. Studies show higher dietary lutein and zeaxanthin intake reduces the risk of age related macular degeneration.
   A comprehensive approach to macular degeneration would include several vitamins and nutrients. These would be vitamins C and E, beta carotene, zinc oxide, fish oils, low doses of alpha lipoic acid, and certainly the carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin.

Benefit for cataract
Excessive sunlight exposure increases the risk for cataracts. Visual function in patients with age-related cataracts who received lutein supplements improve, suggesting that a higher intake of lutein, through lutein -rich fruit and vegetables or supplements, may have beneficial effects on the visual performance of people with age-related cataracts. Vitamin C, lutein, and zeaxanthin offer some protection against cataract formation.

Benefit for cholesterol
Lutein reduces oxidation of cholesterol.

Benefit for heart
A meta-analysis of epidemiological studies indicates that high lutein intakes may modestly reduce coronary risk.

Prostate cancer
Epidemiological and laboratory studies indicate that lutein may be beneficial in reducing the risk for prostate cancer.

Daily requirement for lutein
It has been estimated that Americans consume about 1 to 2 mg of lutein per day, although dietary guidelines of the US Dietary Association Food Guide Pyramid recommend closer to 5 mg a day.

Lutein dosage
Most lutein supplements are sold in a dosage of 10 or 20 mg. We suggest taking these lutein supplements only two or three times a week. If you are taking Eyesight Rx, you would not need to take additional lutein supplements.

Additional benefits of lutein and zeaxanthin
Lutein and zeaxanthin are xanthophyll carotenoids widely distributed in tissues and are the principal carotenoids in the eye lens and macular region of the retina. Epidemiologic studies indicating an inverse relationship between xanthophyll intake or status and both cataract and age-related macular degeneration suggest these compounds can play a protective role in the eye. Some studies have also shown these xanthophylls may help reduce the risk of certain types of cancer, particularly those of the breast and lung. Emerging studies suggest as well a potential contribution of lutein and zeaxanthin to the prevention of heart disease and stroke.

Lutein and zeaxanthin for skin
Mice given a diet with lutein and zeaxanthin have less damage to their skin when exposed to UVB-induced photoaging and photocarcinogenesis.

Lutein side effects
We can't find any research that points to any possible lutein side effects, however there could be some lutein side effects if too a high a dose is taken for too long. We am just guessing, but taking a very high amount of lutein supplement could disturb the balance of carotenoids in eye tissue or other organs. It is best to keep lutein dosage to less than 20 mg two or three times a week.

lutein and bilberry benefit
The benefits of lutien and bilberry rest mostly on their ability to provide substances that are beneficial for eye health. Bilberry and lutein may benefit those who have macular degeneration or are predisposed to a cataract.

Lutein questions
Q. I bought a lutien 10 mg supplement and noticed some benefit the first few days and then then the initial lutien benefits seemed to decrease. I eat a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables and lots of corn. Am I getting too much lutien?
   A. It's possible. We suggest not using a lutein supplement more than three days a week in those whose diet already has lots of fresh produce.

Q. How do I know if I am taking too much of a lutein supplement dose?
   A. Many people notice improved vision when they first start taking a lutein supplement. However, if your dosage is too high or you are taking lutein pills too many days in a row, you may find your vision is not as sharp. If you take a break for a couple of days, you may find your vision improves as your retinal balances our and thins out the excess lutein that was provided as a supplement.

Other pages on this site
Bilberry lutein combination for healthy eyesight, bilberry is an important source of substances that benefit vision
Cavinton vinpocetine information for improved blood flow to eyes, ears, and brain
Improve vision naturally - how to improve night vision and day vision with natural methods
Lutein benefit additional research for various conditions that lutein could be helpful for
Lutein for eyes - what it the right lutein dosage for optimal vision? It can range between 1 to 10 mg a day.
Lutein for macular degeneration - what is the right dosage?
Lutein research - latest updates on lutein research
Lutein side effects - is there a dosage at which lutein gives side effects?
Lutein and zeaxanthin are two carotenoids found in high amounts in eye tissue. The use of a zeaxanthin and lutein supplement leads to an increase in macular pigment optical density. In one study three subjects consumed 30 mg of lutein and 2.7 mg of zeaxanthin supplement each day for 120 days. At the two most central loci, macular pigment optical density significantly increased in all three subjects with the zeaxanthin and lutein supplement use.
Macular degeneration studies and nutritional approaches to treatment. There is a way to ease the progression of ARMD with omega-3 oils, diet, food selection and the proper use and dosage of nutritional supplements
Lutein supplement information - how is this nutrient supplement available and in what dosages?

Q. Your lutein supplement dosage recommendations appear to be reasonable. However, I have come a product that has 100 mg lutein per capsule. They claim that people need 2 mg of lutein per kg of body weight.
   A. High dosages of lutein may disrupt the balance of nutrients in the eye and cause blurriness. Dr. Ray Sahelian, a highly respected physician, does not believe it is necessary to ingest more than 40 or 50 mg of lutein per week. Lutein at 100 mg per day is quite excessive. 

Limonene essential oil
Lucidenic acid is found in the medicinal mushroom ganoderma lucidum
Lupane is found in a number of herbs including frankincense.
Lupeol is found in common fruit plants such as olive, mango and fig.
Lupin kernel flour is high in protein and fiber
Lyc-O-Mato is a trademarked lycopene extract from tomatoes that has antioxidant properties.

Links to a number of nutrition, natural healing, and health topics
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Links to a number of nutrition, natural healing, and health topics