Lutein and Zeaxanthin Supplements for Healthy Eyes and Brain at Every Age
The importance of lutein and zeaxanthin
Eating a balanced diet that includes all of the colors of the rainbow is one way to tap into the benefits of carotenoids. Carotenoids, or plant-based (phyto) nutrients, are pigments that provide the naturally bright greens, yellows, reds, purples and oranges found in fruits and vegetables. They also provide nutrition that helps to support our health.
Two yellow pigments often naturally found together are lutein and zeaxanthin. These nutrients are important to our health and can be obtained from foods such as corn, yellow squash, sweet potato, spinach, collards, kale and zucchini. However, the body cannot make its own lutein and zeaxanthin.
What are lutein and zeaxanthin?
Lutein and zeaxanthin are potent antioxidants, called carotenoids, that play a role in many functions in the body throughout all life stages.
Highly bioavailable forms of lutein and zeaxanthin are derived from marigold flowers, where they are extracted and manufactured into health supplements.
Where are lutein and zeaxanthin found in the body?
Lutein and zeaxanthin are found in very high concentrations in the eye. They give the macula its identifiable yellow color.
Lutein and zeaxanthin play a critical role in the development of the retina before birth, and through adolescence, as the eye matures and develops.
Lutein is the major carotenoid found in breast milk, indicating a strong need in growing infants.
Lutein and zeaxanthin represent 75% of the carotenoids present in the brain, and accumulate in specific areas associated with learning, memory, information processing, and cognition. They are also seen in areas vulnerable to oxidative stress and degeneration as we age.
Benefits of lutein and zeaxanthin supplementation
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Reduce the risk for AMD
Reduces the risk for age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and, in those that already have the disease, delays the progression of AMD.
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Natural filter of high-energy blue light
Helps support visual function by reducing eye fatigue/strain from exposure to high-energy blue light sources such as digital devices as well as indoor and outdoor light sources.
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Support mental well being
Supports mental and emotional well-being, promotes a feeling of relaxation, and helps support restful, quality sleep. This is also important for cognitive function since sleep helps with focus, attention, and consolidation of memory, which is essential for learning new information.
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Beauty from within: healthy skin
A powerful antioxidant complex to protect against the harmful impact of the sun, which also provides nourishment to the skin to help improve firmness, suppleness, and elasticity.
