Lutein

Lutein is a cutting-edge new supplement that could make the difference between maintaining your vision well into old age, or going blind. The most common cause of blindness in people 65 and over is age-related macular degeneration, a condition caused by the destruction of the macula, the small central part of the retina. The macula is responsible for central vision, the kind that is necessary for activities such as recognizing faces, reading, writing, and driving your car. As many as 20 percent of all people 65 and older suffer from macular degeneration. There is a 500 percent increased risk among postmenopausal women, which is believed to be due in part to the decline in estrogen. Although the precise cause of macular degeneration is unknown, constant exposure to ultraviolet light from the sun, which can promote the formation of free radicals, is a likely suspect.

There is no cure for macular degeneration, but in some cases, laser surgery may help slow down the progress of the disease. There is also compelling evidence that eating the right food and taking the right supplements can offer significant protection. Lutein is a member of the carotenoid family and is found in vegetables such as spinach, kale, collard greens, mustard greens, and corn. There is a high concentration of lutein in the macula, which prompted researchers to investigate whether the lutein in food had any effect on vision.

The problem is that not everyone eats enough lutein-rich food, and until recently, lutein supplements were not available. In fact, lutein had long been ignored, because unlike more famous carotenoids such as beta carotene, it did not convert to vitamin A in the body and was therefore considered useless. We now know that lutein is an antioxidant; some researchers speculate that it may deactivate dangerous free radicals caused by harmful ultraviolet rays, and thereby protect the eyes from oxidative damage. Fortunately, there are now dozens of lutein products to choose from, including numerous combination formulas especially designed to improve vision. Most of these combination products include zinc, a mineral that is also involved in the maintenance of the macula, and zeaxanthin, another carotenoid found in the macula.