Natural Factors Lutein 20mg - 120 Softgels + BONUS

LUTEIN 20 MG PROTECTING THE EYES AND VISION
The eyes, along with skin, are the only organs of the body directly exposed to the outside environment. Of course we need light to see and air to breathe but exposure to light and to air impurities can trigger oxidative stress within cells of the eyes and skin. This oxidative stress, along with nutritional deficiencies can significantly contribute to the development of degenerative conditions of the eye leading to impaired vision. Age-related macular degeneration (ARMD) is the leading cause of blindness in adults over 40, with 25% of 65 year olds showing clinical symptoms, followed by glaucoma and cataracts. Oxidative stress can impair vision to a lesser extent than these advanced degenerative conditions, referred to as 'low vision', however, the impact is nonetheless trying for people.

LUTEIN THE KEY ANTIOXIDANT FOR EYE HEALTH
Nutrition plays an enormous role in the prevention and treatment of ARMD and other advanced degenerative conditions of the eye. One of the key nutrients that help prevent and treat impaired vision is the carotenoid lutein, a potent antioxidant that is highly concentrated in the eye. In fact, lutein and its companion carote- noid, zeaxanthin, are the only carotenoids found in the human lens. Their role is central in preventing oxidative damage to the area of the retina responsible for fine vision. Additionally, lutein reduces the oxidation of LDL cholesterol thereby reducing the risk of artery clogging and can reduce the risk of skin concerns and sunburn, however, the majority of research and understanding of how lutein works is within the prevention and treatment of advanced degenerative conditions of the eye.
Our bodies don't make lutein, so we have to obtain it from our diet. While some fruits may contain lutein, vibrantly coloured and dark, leafy green vegetables such as kale, mustard greens, spinach, Swiss chard, and red peppers are the richest food sources. Lutein is also found in egg yolk, however, the media-induced connection of eggs and high cholesterol has caused a decrease in egg consumption at large. It is, however, unlikely that sufficient lutein can be obtained from food to address advanced eye health problems. Lutein in supplement form is the best way to achieve the recommended amount for preventing and treating eye conditions like ARMD, glaucoma, cataracts, and other conditions of the eye.

HOW LUTEIN WORKS
In order to understand how nutrients like lutein can benefit eye health, its important to understand how vision works. The retina is a multi-layered sensory tissue that lines the back of the eye. It contains millions of photoreceptors that capture light rays and convert them into electrical impulses. These impulses travel along the optic nerve to the brain where they are turned into images. In a sense, the retina acts like the film of a camera conveying images to the brain. The big picture is sent by sensitive detectors present throughout the retina. The small picture, namely central vision is sent by the macula which is located within the central area of the retina. The central portion of the macula the fovea, provides precise and detailed central vision and allows us to perform tasks such as reading.

Both lutein and zeaxanthin are critically important to the health of the macula. Zeaxanthin is the predominant pigment in the fovea but the quantity of this carotenoid gradually decreases and the quantity of lutein increases in the region surrounding the fovea, making lutein the predominant pigment at the outermost periphery of the macula. It is in this region that most of the aforementioned damage occurs. Lutein plays a key role in protecting the eyes from phototoxic damage caused by blue light and near-ultraviolet radiation from indoor lighting and sunlight. The protective effect is due in part to preventing oxidative stress caused by free radical dam- age. Some experts believe that lutein acts like a pair of sunglasses. The more unfiltered sunlight that reaches your retina, the more lutein is needed to defend your delicate retinal tissues. One of the primary reasons for the focus on dietary lutein is because the body can convert lutein into the proper amounts of zeaxanthin it needs. This makes lutein the key carotenoid for providing the proper amounts of both lutein and zeaxanthin.

FLORAGLO LUTEIN 100% PURE LUTEIN
FloraGLO Lutein is the leading brand of natural purified lutein and is the exact same lutein molecule found in nature. Derived from high lutein-yielding marigold flowers all stages of cultivation, harvesting and extraction meet rigorous standards. The extraction of marigold flowers into marigold oleoresin is a patented production process that ensures the purity and potency of the lutein extract. FloraGLO Lutein has been used in more clinical trials than any other lutein. With over 700 published studies on lutein's overall health benefits, FloraGLO has been used in a total of 23 human studies. The majority of the research has been in the eye health area, however, new research also supports lutein's beneficial role in certain skin health parameters and cardiovascular health. FloraGLO Lutein is being used in a second age-related eye disease study (AREDS II) to test the effects of lutein and zeaxanthin on progres- sion of ARMD. This 4,000-patient clinical trial was developed after an earlier study (ARED I) found ARMD to be a nutrition responsive disorder, which high levels of antioxidants and zinc significantly reducing the risk of ARMD.

Each softgel of Natural Factors Lutein 20 mg provides 860 mcg of 100% natural zeaxanthin.

THE MANY BENEFITS OF LUTEIN
The effects of lutein are truly amazing (Falsini, et al). Some of its many benefits are:

• Preventing and treating advanced degenerative eye conditions such as ARMD cataracts, glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy
  
• Strengthing the capillaries that feed the various parts of the eye with oxygen-rich blood
  
• Protecting the eyes from oxidative stress caused by free radicals
  
• Protecting the eyes from sun damage
  
• Maintaing optimal eye health
  
  PREVENTING ARMD
  When we look at something, we see sharp detail in the center of our field of vision. Toward the periphery, the image becomes less distinct. This way of seeing reflects the way the image appears on the retina. The cone-rich part of the retina that handles fine detail in the center of the field of vision is called the macula. Sometimes damage occurs to this part of the eye, causing the cells to lose their ability to perceive light. This condition is known as macular degeneration and as we age the condition progressively worsens. It appears that free-radical damage is one culprit, but a decreased supply of blood and oxygen to the retina also may be involved. Some of the major risk factors for impaired vision include; smoking, aging, atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), high blood pressure, lack of dietary antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids, genetic predisposition, and eye strain. All of these risk factors in some way trigger free-radical damage and / or a decreased supply of blood and oxygen to the retina. There are two kinds of ARMD; the "wet" form involves growth of abnormal blood vessels and laser surgery is often required to stop the growth. The "dry" form is more common, affecting perhaps nine out of ten people with ARMD. This form occurs when cellular debris, called lipofuscin, accumulates in retinal tissue and disrupts the cone cells, hence vision.
  
  A low level of lutein and zeaxanthin within the macular represent a major risk factor for the disease as patients with macular degeneration have 35-40% less lutein in their maculas than people without macular degeneration (Granado et al). In addition, research shows that supplementing the diet with lutein and zeaxanthin not only helps to protect against macular degeneration, it can actually improve visual function in people with ARMD. Specifically, in subjects with ARMD, 10 to 15 mg of lutein daily has led to significant improvements in several objective measurements of visual function including glare recovery, contrast sensitivity, and visual acuity vs. placebo (Falsini, Richer, et al). Patients taking a minamum of 10mg of lutein daily also experienced a 50% increase in macular pigment density relative to those on placebo (Richer, Schalch, et al).
  
  PREVENTING CATARACTS
  Cataracts are white, opaque blemishes on the normally transparent lens of the eye. They occur as a result of damage to the protein structure of the lens similar to the damage that occurs to the protein of eggs when they are boiled or fried. Cataracts share many of the same risk factors as ARMD, however, exposure to sunlight greatly accelerates cataract formation more so than ARMD. Lutein is also important in preventing cataracts and improving visual function in people with existing cataracts. Three large prospective studies have shown that the intake of lutein was inversely asso- ciated with cataract surgery. In other words, the higher the intake of lutein the less likely cataract surgery would take place. In addi- tion to offering protection against cataract formation, lutein can also help improve visual function in people with cataracts. For example, in one study patients clinically diagnosed with age-related cataracts were randomly assigned to 15 mg of lutein, 100 IU of vitamin E, or a placebo three times a week for up to 2 years (Olmedilla, et al). Analysis showed that visual performance (visual acuity and glare sensitivity) improved in the lutein group, whereas there was trend toward the maintenance of visual acuity with vitamin E and a decrease with placebo supplementation.
  
  PREVENTING GLAUCOMA
  For decades, eye doctors have approached glaucoma as a loss of peripheral vision and a hardening of the surface of the eye resulting from optic nerve damage caused by elevated fluid pressure in the eye. However, eyes with normal fluid pressure can also lose peripheral vision. As the second leading cause of blind- ness, research on glaucoma has discovered a nerve toxin may be involved in the common form of glaucoma. Glaucoma patients exhibit an abnormally high concentration of glutamate in the vicinity of the optic nerve. Glutamate is a primary chemical used in the transmission of optic nerve impulses. Risk factors cause optic nerves to die off, thus releasing more nerve-toxic glutamate, resulting in an accelerated loss of vision that is typically observed in the end stages of glaucoma. There is evidence that lutein and zeaxanthin also help protect the optic nerve. The nerve layer of the retina, near where nerve cells exit the eye and connect to the brain, is protected from oxidative damage by lutein. Researchers have found that a lack of lutein in this nerve bundle may be an early sign of glaucoma (Schweitzer).
  
  DOSAGE
  1 softgel daily or as directed by a health care practitioner. Natural Factors Lutein also has a 18 mg potency.
  
  SAFETY
  Data from human and animal studies show lutein to be exceptionally safe. The safety of lutein was evaluated by an independent international body recognized throughout the world for establishing the safety of food additives The organization is called JECFA (Joint Expert Committee on Food Additives). JECFA established an acceptable daily intake (ADI) for lutein of up to 2 mg per kg of body weight, which is equivalent to approximately 140 mg of lutein per day for a 154 pound person.
  
  Pregnancy and Lactation:As the effects of lutein supplementation during pregnancy and lactation have not been sufficiently evaluated, it should not be used during these times
  
  Children:Suitable for children at half the adult dosage
  
  Contraindications:none known Drug interactions: none known
  
  Many people with deteriorating vision are seeing nutritional therapy as a successful alternative to conventional medicine or surgery. However, if you have any signs of visual impairment, you must be properly evaluated by a health care practitioner. Although there are a plethora of risk factors for advanced degenerative conditions of the eye, there are protective measures that you can take to reduce your exposure to them. At the top of the list is to include lutein supple- mentation in your diets, followed by; wear sunglasses and hats when you're outdoors in the sun, limit alcohol intake, don't smoke, eat a balanced, nutritious diet, watch your weight, and get an eye exam at least every two years.