About Herbs and Nutrition
Echinacea
Ginseng
Ginkgo
Milk thistle
Milk Thistle and Liver Nutrition Center
St. John's wort
Saw palmetto
Bay
Bilberry
Black cohosh
Licorice
DHEA
Royal Jelly
Garlic
Ginger
Coenzyme Q10
Lutein
Lutein Information Center
rutin
DreamPharm Lutein Research Center (Links)
Lutein and Eye Nutrition Center: Home
Lutein and Eye Nutrition Center: What is Lutein
?
Lutein and Eye Nutrition Center: What does Lutei
n do for us ?
Lutein and Eye Nutrition Center: Are we taking e
nough lutein ?
Lutein and Eye Nutrition Center: Are there other
eye nutritions than Lutein ?
Lutein and Eye Nutrition Center: Research Report
s: Role of Carotenoids
Lutein and Eye Nutrition Center: Research Report
s: Serum lutein and carotenoid level in response to taking dietary carotenoids
Lutein and Eye Nutrition Center: Research Report
s: Lutein and Lung Function
Lutein and Eye Nutrition Center: Research Report
s: Lutein and Congestive Heart Failure
Lutein and Eye Nutrition Center: Research Report
s: Lutein, Lycopene, and Prostate Cancer
Lutein and Eye Nutrition Center: Research Repor
ts: Lutein, carotenoids, and breast cancer
Lutein and Skin Cancer
Lutein: General Information Page
|
 |
|
|
All About Lutein:
An Introduction
"A Powerful Anti-Oxidant that Protects your Eyes and Body."
What is Lutein ?
Lutein and zeaxanthin are xanthophylls, which belong to carotenoid pigments consisting of more than 600 members.
Lutein is a yellowish pigment found in kale, spinach, and broccoli, and gives yellow colors to corn and egg yolk,
and various fruits, vegetables, and flowers. Zeaxanthin is chemically very close to lutein, and occurs in most lutein
preparations (extracts) as a minor
constituent. Zeaxanthin shares health benefits with lutein, and can be either taken from food or produced in our body
from lutein by biochemical conversion.
Lutein of commerce in dietary supplement products are isolated from marigold flower petals, and include about 5% of
zeaxanthin as a "contaminant", which, in this case, is a desirable one.
History
Carotenes and xanthophylls, the brilliant yellow pigments, were isolated in 1831 from carrot root by Heinrich Wilhelm Ferdinand Wackenroder (1789-1854),
and from yellow autumn leaves in 1837 by Berzelius, respectively. In Greek, "xantho" means yellow, and "phylls" stands for leaves, which is
comparable to "chlorophylls" (green leaves). Many scientific studies ensued, and by 1902, there were over 800 publications in the field of
carotene research. Xanthophylls were found in algae, and lutein, a component of xanthophylls was found in egg yolks. Later researches confirmed
that carotenes and xanthophylls are close related in molecular structure, and Harold Strain coined the word "carotenoids
" to refer to the
entire group of diverse, and yet closely related substances. Major known functions of these phytochemicals are photoreception and photoprotection.
Zeaxanthin and antheraxanthin, other members in the family, are also found to be involved in heat (energy) dissipation by converting themselves
to violaxanthin, thus adding additional measures for the protection of photosynthsis systems.
In addition to being an integral part of photosynthesis systems as photoreceptors and protectors, carotenoids are strong anti-oxidants and protects
plant tissues from damages caused by free radicals formed by UV-irradiation, etc. When we eat carotenoids such
as beta-carotene, lutein, and pycopene through
food, they protect our body against oxdiative and free radical damages as well.
Usage
In addition to anti-oxidant actions, beta-carotene converts in our body to Vitamin A, which is an essential for our body functions including
vision. Like beta-carotene, lutein is a carotenoid found commonly in diets. Studies indicate lutein and zeaxanthin essential nutritions
for healthy eyes and vision.
More recently, lutein and zeaxanthin are found to accumulate specifically in the small area called macula in the retina of our eyes, raising
the possibility that lutein also may protect our eyes and optic nerves, like they do for plant tissues from UV damages. As light enters
the eye through the lens and passed focused to the back of the eye, an area known as retina (which is like a movie screen onto which images
are projected) captures the light and converts the information to electrical impulses of optic nerves, which are sent to the brain. A small
area at the center of the retina, called macula, is important for detailed vision. Macula contains pigments whose main constituents are
lutein and zeaxanthin, which are both anti-oxidants and photoprotectors.
Every 11 minutes, a person goes blind in the US. As we age, our eyes, thus our vision deteriorate inevitably. Unlike skin or other tissues,
eye systems, especially optic nerves will not regenerate, and once they are damages, it won't recover and the damages are there to stay.
Accumulation of the damages will result in the functional loss of the eye - blindness. What is life without vision? (Please don't say this
to blind people!) Macular degeneration is a leading cause of blindness among old people in the US, causing 300,000 complete blindness annually,
and affecting the vision of 13 million people. It doesn't take a genius to see that we need to protect this important part of our eyes.
Once the lutein pigment runs out and become thin in the protective pigment layer of macula, the eye and the optic nerves become vulnerable
to damages by UV or any harmful irradiation, and free radicals.
Recent studies also indicates that lutin is likely to be preventive of eyes from other dieases such as cataracts and glaucoma, and other
body parts from lung cancer, breast cancer, and cardiovascular problems.
Lutein Research:
Here are some examples of the reports from recent scientific researches on lutein and zeaxanthin.
reference source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=11914107&dopt=Abstract
Clin Sci (Lond) 2002 Apr;102(4):447-56 - A European multicentre, placebo-controlled supplementation study with alpha-tocopherol,
carotene-rich palm oil, lutine or lycopene: analysis of serum responses
reference source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=11894760&dopt=Abstract
Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis 2001 Aug;11(4 Suppl):78-81 - Increased fruit and vegetable consumption: potential health benefits
reference source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=11880586&dopt=Abstract
J Nutr 2002 Mar;132(3):525S-530S - Diet and lifestyle correlates of lutein in the blood and diet
reference source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=11880585&dopt=Abstract
J Nutr 2002 Mar;132(3):518S-524S - The body of evidence to support a protective role for lutein and zeaxanthin in delaying chronic
disease. Overview
reference source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=11867358&dopt=Abstract
Am J Epidemiol 2002 Mar 1;155(5):463-71 - Lung function in relation to intake of carotenoids and other antioxidant vitamins in
a population-based study
reference source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=11773011&dopt=Abstract
Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2002 Jan;43(1):47-50 - Macular pigment density is reduced in obese subjects
reference source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=11713067&dopt=Abstract
Ophthalmology 2001 Nov;108(11):1992-8 - Plasma antioxidant vitamins and carotenoids and age-related cataract
reference source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=11796203&dopt=Abstract
Free Radic Biol Med 2002 Jan 15;32(2):148-52 - Plasma lipophilic antioxidants and malondialdehyde in congestive heart failure patients:
relationship to disease severity
reference source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=11440960&dopt=Abstract
Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2001 Jul;10(7):749-56 - Inverse associations between plasma lycopene and other carotenoids and prostate cancer
reference source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=11437346&dopt=Abstract
Arch Biochem Biophys 2001 Jul 15;391(2):160-4 - Macular pigments lutein and zeaxanthin as blue light filters studied in liposomes
reference source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=11415946&dopt=Abstract
Am J Epidemiol 2001 Jun 15;153(12):1142-7 - Serum carotenoids and breast cancer
reference source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=11361024&dopt=Abstract
Arch Biochem Biophys 2001 Jan 1;385(1):41-6 - Carotenoids in the retina and lens: possible acute and chronic effects on human visual performance
reference source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=11302779&dopt=Abstract
Altern Med Rev 2001 Apr;6(2):141-66 - Natural therapies for ocular disorders, part two: cataracts and glaucoma
reference source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=11237205&dopt=Abstract
Biofactors 2000;13(1-4):89-94 - Cancer prevention by natural carotenoids
reference source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=11180970&dopt=Abstract
Exp Eye Res 2001 Mar;72(3):215-23 - Identification and quantitation of carotenoids and their metabolites in the tissues of the human eye
Lutein Research Links
LuteinInfo.com - Lutein Information Bureau
Nutrition Dynamics, Inc. - Lutein and Lycopene: Carotenoids Loaded
with Powerful Antioxidants
reference source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=11880586&dopt=Abstract
J Nutr 2002 Mar;132(3):525S-530S
- Diet and lifestyle correlates of lutein in the blood and diet
reference source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=11880585&dopt=Abstract
J Nutr 2002 Mar;132(3):518S-524S
- The body of evidence to support a protective role for lutein and zeaxanthin in delaying chronic disease: Overview
reference source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=11864859&dopt=Abstract
Am J Clin Nutr 2002 Mar;75(3):526-34
- Vegetable-borne lutein, lycopene, and beta-carotene compete for incorporation into chylomicrons, with no adverse effect on the medium-term (3-wk)
plasma status of carotenoids in humans
reference source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=11722962&dopt=Abstract
Am J Clin Nutr 2001 Dec;74(6):796-802
- Relation between dietary intake, serum concentrations, and retinal concentrations of lutein and zeaxanthin in adults in a Midwest population
reference source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=11431456&dopt=Abstract
Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2001
Jul;42(8):1873-81 - Macular pigment and lutein supplementation in retinitis pigmentosa and Usher syndrome
|
|
