Health Benefits Of Lutein : Lutein Effects On Brain And Eye Health
Lutein supplements are very popular for their health promoting benefits. This is a primal or ancestral antioxidant compound which protects cellular functioning in many organisms. Lutein is one of the predominant carotenoids found in the human body.
Lutein is responsible for the yellow orange color of various fruits and vegetables. Lutein is very beneficial for plant photosynthesis. Animals have built up a relationship with brightly colored fruits with animals naturally recognising these as being healthy for us. Fruit color is linked to higher fruit antioxidant status. Regularly eating foods that are rich in antioxidants such as lutein are thought to reduce risks of developing various diseases.
Some foods rich in lutein include mango or spinach. You can read about 9 of the highest lutein containing foods here and how you could include more lutein in your diet.
The main benefits to our health or wellness from lutein are thought to be in the prevention of degeneration of eye health and support of brain functioning. The eyes are subject to regular oxidative stress every day and need a regular supply of nutrients to support their wellbeing. Without the right nutrients you could become more susceptible to diseases such as cataracts or age related macular degeneration.
In this article we will look at the potential health benefits of lutein and how this antioxidant can influence important aspects of our day to day wellness.
Lutein And Eye Health
In humans the pigment lutein is found in large amounts in the eyes. This is also where most of the health benefits of lutein are thought to be localized. This antioxidant pigment is in the class of carotenoid pigments but can’t convert into pro vitamin A. Lutein is fat soluble so to obtain health benefits from lutein you will need to also consume this pigment alongside healthy fats.
According to research lutein dietary deficiencies are widespread. Especially in the USA where average daily lutein intake is about 1 to 3mg per day. A lutein rich diet has been linked a significantly reduced risk of developing eye diseases.
Lutein Antioxidant Effects
As we age the cells and essential components within the eyes that are required for optimal vision become damaged. This happens through accumulative oxidative stress and excessive light damage.
Macular degeneration of the eyes is one example and this is the leading cause of blindness worldwide. This is where the macular of the eyes degenerates because of free radical damage. For these reasons lutein is a very popular preventative nutrient for conserving the eyesight of the elderly.
Lutein could also be influential in reducing risk of cataracts. This is a leading cause of losses in eyesight in the over 40s. Inadequate nutrition and drops in lutein intake are thought to be responsible for this eye damaging disease.
Antioxidants such as lutein or vitamin A are localised to the eyes. These nutrients are able to cleanse the eyes of radicals and high energy damage. One study found that taking lutein supplements or eating a lutein rich diet for a month plus managed to pretty much doubled total lutein concentrations within the eyes.
Regular lutein consumption allows the eyes to naturally recover from day to day and helps to maintain optimal vision. Lutein and lutein supplementation could protect the retinal pigment cells which would offer health benefits through improving macular density. Research shows that lutein may protect the optical ciliary muscle and eyes from blue light oxidative damage. Lutein could also protect the inner neurones of the eyes from harmful oxidative stress.
Lutein And Brain Health
Lutein may also have protective effects within the brain that could also have health benefits. Primates have been shown to accumulate lutein in the brain as this compound can cross the protective blood brain barrier. Research also shows lutein may accumulate early in the brains of children too.
Research suggests that lutein may protect brain areas such as the cerebellum and prefrontal cortex from oxidative stress damage. These are key areas of the brain. Lutein could therefore influence brain function and have health benefits as a potential nootropic. Lutein is thought to protect key brain fatty acids such as DHA from oxidative damage which are often used in brain tissues. Brain cell mitochondria may also accumulate lutein and this could support more optimal energy production.
Studies with lutein supplements have shown that they could have health benefits in reducing oxidative stress during age related cognitive declines. This also includes during cognitive diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease. Lutein supplements may influence memory and reasoning ability. Studies where individuals took lutein showed improved levels of brain antioxidants and antioxidant enzymes. This may supress systemic neuroinflammation that affects neurodegenerative diseases.
The role of lutein in supporting cognitive health is a breakthrough area and this nutrient could be a future nootropic supplement. Current studies seem to show that lutein supplements are very safe too.
Cardiovascular And Lung Health
As an antioxidant lutein may also assist with reducing oxidative damage to LDL and protect blood vessels from atherosclerosis. This would provide lutein with heart and blood vessel protecting health benefits. With global increases in cardiovascular disease this could be a very important benefit of the various health benefits of lutein. Studies in support of this show that lutein could reduce risks of stokes and heat attacks.
Some studies have also shown that the antioxidant effects of lutein could also improve respiratory health in addition to heart and blood vessel health.
Lutein And Cancer
There is some evidence that lutein may have effects against cancer. The underlying cancer preventive activity of lutein may be from encouraging improved communication between cells.
Many strong antioxidants such as lutein are considered to have natural cancer preventative actions. This is because of their intrinsic ability to cleanse the body of damaging or cancer causing molecules and oxidative damage.
Studies show that lutein may have tumor suppressive effects. Preclinical studies with lutein have shown that lutein may suppress cancers of the lungs and skin. Lutein is a popular inclusion in many skin products because of antioxidant properties and can also deposit in the skin. This pigment may reduce skin damage from UV and decelerate skin ageing. Lutein could also protect testicular cells from oxidative stress damage and promote fertility.
Lutein may also protect the liver from oxidative stress during chemical detoxification so could also provide potential benefits in reducing cancer or liver disease risks. There is some evidence to suggest that lutein could assist with gut inflammatory diseases such as Crohn’s. The antioxidant effects of lutein may also cause significant effects on bone mineralization that could provide health benefits for sufferers of osteoporosis. Body antioxidant status is heavily linked to bone mineral density and risk of hip fractures.
Overall lutein presents various potential health benefits as an ancestral antioxidant and could assist with preventing very damaging oxidative stress to the body.
Summary
Health benefits of lutein are centred around strong antioxidant effects on cells and tissues. Lutein is a fat soluble carotenoid pigment that is found in large amounts in the eyes. This is where most of the potential health benefits of lutein are thought to originate.
Studies show that taking lutein supplements for a month nearly doubled lutein concentration in the eyes. Research suggests you should consume in excess of 3mg of lutein a day to assist with reducing the risks of eye diseases.
Regular intake of lutein is associated with reductions in the risks of some eye diseases such as macular degeneration and cataracts. Lutein may reduce oxidative stress damage to the eyes and cleanse the eyes of damaging molecules.
Lutein may also be a brain nootropic because of antioxidant influences on key brain areas such as the cerebellum and prefrontal cortex. Some studies show that lutein could improve memory and reasoning ability. Taking a lutein supplement could also support cardiovascular health through reductions in risks of stokes and heat attacks.
Lutein could also suppress lung and skin tumors. Lutein could therefore have potential health benefits as a natural cancer preventative pigment. Many skin care products also use lutein because of a natural antioxidant ability and skin storage capacity.
The research shows that lutein has various potential health benefits such as reduced risk of degenerative eye diseases and support of more optimal brain functioning. Lutein could therefore be a very beneficial nutrient for you to add to your diet.
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