Introduction and properties of lutein:
Lutein, also known as "plant lutein", exists together with zeaxanthin in nature. Lutein and zeaxanthin are the main components of plant pigments such as corn, vegetables, fruits, and flowers;
2. Lutein is the most important nutrient that constitutes the macular area of the human eye (the center of vision). Lutein cannot be synthesized by the human body and must be absorbed by supplementing foods containing lutein.
3. If there is a lack of lutein and zeaxanthin, it will easily lead to aging macular degeneration, blindness, cataract, astigmatism, presbyopia, pseudomyopia, eye fatigue and other diseases of various degrees.
Sources of Lutein:
1. Carotenoids naturally exist in vegetables and fruits, such as cabbage, spinach, mustard greens, dark green cauliflower, corn and other vegetable leaves; kiwi fruit, grapes, orange juice, courgettes, and several kinds of pumpkins are rich in Lutein.
2. Lutein is not only present in the eyes of the human body, but even in the skin, serum, cervix, brain, heart, chest, etc., there are traces of lutein.
3. After people's long-term search, it was found that the content of lutein in marigold flowers is extremely high, and other carotenoid I-oids are less impurity, easy to separate and purify, and can be used as a good source for industrial production.
Lutein and AMD
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of blindness in the elderly in developed countries. In the center of the retina is an area called the macula, where photoreceptor cells gather and are responsible for providing color and detail in the center of the visual field, which helps to recognize faces, read, drive, etc. The fatty outer layer of the macula is particularly susceptible to oxidative damage from the sun, which is why this area degenerates most often.
Symptoms after AMD gradually becomes severe: If there is no normal functioning macular area, the main visual function of the human body will be gradually damaged, eventually leading to aging macular degeneration, blindness, cataract, astigmatism, presbyopia, pseudomyopia, eye fatigue, etc. different degrees of disease.
The distribution of lutein in the eyes:
1. Retina and macular area: The retina is rich in DHA unsaturated fatty acid, and the antioxidant effect of lutein can protect the retina from the damage of fat oxidation.
2. Lens: Generally, in cataract patients, long-term sunlight free radicals chronically damage the crystal structure, causing excessive oxidation of the crystal and the formation of protein precipitation. Lutein is found stored in the lens of the eye and acts as a cataract-fighting superoxidant.
