For daily eye care, supplementing eye nutrition is a key part. Lutein is a nutrient needed by the eyes. Lutein is the most important nutrient in the human retina. Lutein is contained in the macula (center of vision) of the retina and in the lens, especially the macula containing high concentration of lutein.
What is Lutein
Lutein is an important antioxidant, a member of the carotenoid family, also known as "phytolutein." It coexists with zeaxanthin in nature. Scientific research shows that lutein is the only carotenoid found in the retina and lens of the eye. This element cannot be produced by the human body and must be supplemented by external intake. Without this element, the eyes will be blind.
Important Role of Lutein
The main efficacy and role of lutein is filtering blue light and anti-oxidation. Lutein can filter blue light, decompose the damage of strong light and ultraviolet rays to human eyes, so as to avoid blue light damage to the eyes, and prevent vision deterioration and blindness caused by lack of lutein. Therefore, lutein is also known as the protector of the eyes.
Blue light is a short-wave strong light that can penetrate the lens and reach the fundus retina. Electronic products such as TVs, computers, tablets, and mobile phones that we often use emit a lot of blue light. The lutein contained in human eyes can protect the retina, filter out blue light, and protect the eyes from blue light damage. Daily use of the eye will consume a part of lutein, so it needs to be supplemented in time.
In addition to filtering blue light, lutein also has an antioxidant effect, which can eliminate free radicals, reduce oxidative stress on the eyes and help delay eye aging.
Lutein Protect Our Eyes
Lutein and zeaxanthin are the main pigments in the macular region of the retina of human eyes. Human eyes contain high amounts of lutein. Lutein cannot be produced by the human body and must be supplemented by intake of lutein. Without lutein, the eyes will be blind.
Lutein protects eyes from light damage, delays eye aging, and prevents pathological changes. Ultraviolet rays from sunlight and blue light entering the eyes will produce a large number of free radicals, causing cataracts, macular degeneration, and even cancer. Ultraviolet rays can generally be filtered out by the cornea and lens, but blue light can penetrate the eyeball directly to the retina and macula. The lutein in the macula can filter out the blue light to prevent blue light from damaging the eyes. The outer layer of fat in the macula is particularly vulnerable to oxidative damage from sunlight, so this area is extremely prone to degradation.
Lutein protects eyesight. Lutein acting as an antioxidant and photoprotective effect, can promote the regeneration of rhodopsin in retinal cells, can prevent severe myopia and retinal detachment, and can treat myopia, amblyopia, strabismus, cataract, keratoconjunctivitis, and macular degeneration, retinal degeneration, etc. Therefore, lutein is used to improve vision and protect vision, especially suitable for students and drivers.
Also, lutein can relieve the symptoms of asthenopia (blurred vision, dry eyes, eye swelling, eye pain, photophobia), increase macular pigment density to protect yellow macular and promote macular development, prevent macular degeneration and retinitis pigmentosa.
Foods with Lutein
Lutein is widely found in vegetables, flowers, fruits and other plants, such as some dark green, yellow, orange fruits and vegetables, like spinach, broccoli, pumpkin, mango, citrus, etc. In daily life, we should often eat foods containing lutein. We can also use lutein supplements to supplement the eye nutrition of lutein. In addition, we should also supplement anthocyanins and vitamin A appropriately.
