Natural Factors Lutein 20mg - 60 Softgels

What are Carotenoids?

Carotenoids are a class of compounds that is related to vitamin A. The carotenes include betacarotene and lycopene. Betcarotene is converted to vitamin A in the liver and is often used in lieu of vitamin A supplementation. It is not toxic and generally cannot be overdosed because the liver only converts what it needs into vitamin A. You can turn your skin slightly yellow by taking large quantities (or eating tons of carrots!) but this is not harmful to the body. Betacarotene that is not converted to vitamin A is a free radical scavenger. Free radicals are unstable molecules that in their bid to become more stable must bump into healthy cells and cause damage. Betacarotene can help support healthy cell growth, which can result from free radicals damaging cellular genetic material. It also protects the body against environmental pollutants other substances that and lead to aging. lycopene is a carotenoid that functions as an antioxidant for the prostate gland and lowers the risk of prostate concerns.

Xanthophylls are another subgroup of carotenoids. They include lutein and zeaxanthin. Lutein and zeaxanthin work in the eye as antioxidants. Cataracts are caused by free radical damage of the lens of the eye and therefore lutein and zeaxanthin can treat cataracts. Studies show that they also protect the eye from damage and can reduce the incidence of eye disease such as macular degeneration.

Lutein, Clinically Proven to Reduce Macular Degeneration

Macular degeneration is the leading cause of visual loss in North America. It is caused by free radical damage to the macula, the area of the retina responsible for central vision. Blurring in the centre of the visual field eventually makes detail work and reading impossible. The periphery of the visual field remains unaltered. Thus a kind of reverse tunnel vision results.

Free radical damage to light receptor sites of the macula can be slowed and even stopped completely with the right nutritional supplements. The most important supplement to use for reducing the oxidative damage to these cells is the carotenoid lutein.

Derived in a supplemental form from marigold flowers and related to beta carotene, lutein has an affinity for the tissues that make up the macula. So, when you take lutein, it protects the macula specifically, while other antioxidants, although useful, are used throughout the whole body.

An analogy that researchers often use to describe this effect is that it is similar to applying a high SPF suntan lotion to your skin to prevent sunburn. A second carotenoid, zeaxanthin, also has a affinity for the macula of the eye and is often included in lutein supplements.

What Causes Vision Loss?

The eye is a very important sensory organ, which is shown by the fact that a large area of our brain is committed to taking in and understanding visual information. Up to 70% of all of the sensory receptors in the body are in the eyes. Problems with the eyes become more common as we age.

There two main causes of degenerative eye conditions:
- Free radical damage
- Decreased blood flow to the eye

Free radicals are unstable molecules that in their bid to become more stable must bump into healthy cells and cause damage. This can cause cell death, alterations in genetic material and autoimmune reactions to damaged cells. Food, water and ultraviolet radiation from the sun are the major contributors of free radicals that build up in the eye.

The eyes reflect the overall health of the body. The vessels on the back of the eyeball are very small and fragile. Changes in them are often the first sign of cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension and atherosclerosis. These conditions lead to decreased blood flow to the retina. Lack of oxygen and an accumulation of waste products eventually compromises vision.

Poor diet, environmental toxins, medications and stress all decrease the body's ability to neutralize free radicals and maintain healthy vessels. This can result in eye degeneration, occurring in cataracts, macular degeneration, and glaucoma.

Eye Health

The eye is a very important sensory organ, which is shown by the fact that a large area of our brain is committed to taking in and understanding visual information. Up to 70% of all of the sensory receptors in the body are in the eyes. Problems with the eyes become more common as we age.

Free radical damage and reduced blood flow to the eye are common causes of degenerative eye conditions.Free radicals are unstable molecules that in their bid to become more stable must bump into healthy cells and cause damage. This can cause cell death, alterations in genetic material and autoimmune reactions to damaged cells. Food, water and ultraviolet radiation from the sun are the major contributors of free radicals that build up in the eye.

The eyes reflect the overall health of the body. The vessels on the back of the eyeball are very small and fragile. Changes in them are often the first sign of cardiovascular diseases such as hypertensionand atheroclerosis. These conditions lead to decreased blood flow to the retina. Lack of oxygen and an accumulation of waste products eventually compromises vision. Poor diet, environmental toxins, medications and stress all decrease the body's ability to neutralize free radicals and maintain healthy vessels