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Lutein Associated with Reduced Risk of Age-Related Macular Degeneration LUTEIN A Naturally Occurring Carotenoid Product No. 771 Fill Size: 60 softgels Each softgel contains: Lutein 6 mg. Other ingredients: vegetable oil, gelatin, glycerine, yellow beeswax, purified water. Suggested Use: One or two softgels daily. Macular Degeneration: The Leading Cause of Blindness after Age 65 Age-related macular degeneration (ARMD) is the leading cause of blindness in people over the age of 65 and the prevalence of ARMD is expected to increase as the population ages. The macula is a spot about the size of a pencil eraser on the back of the retina that is responsible for sharpness of vision. When a person is diagnosed with ARMD in their 60s or 70s, the disease has already been developing for decades. Although the incidence of ARMD increases sharply with age, recent studies indicate that preventive measures and dietary changes implemented early in life, can reduce the risk of ARMD.(1) The following actions may help reduce the risk of macular degeneration: High Concentrations of Lutein in the Retina and Lens Are Believed to Play an Important Role in Eye Health Different carotenoids are distributed in different concentrations in different areas of the body, probably because they have specialized functions in these areas.(2) Lutein, a yellow pigment in the carotenoid family was first isolated from the corpus luteum, a part of the ovaries. More importance is now attached to its presence in the macula of the eye where it is strongly implicated in maintaining eye health. Several dietary components have been studied with regard to protection against ARMD including antioxidant vitamins and specific carotenoids. Dark green leafy vegetables in particular are associated with reduced risk of ARMD. Biochemical studies reveal that these vegetables contain several nutrients that may account for this effect, including high concentrations of lutein and its isomer zeaxanthin. Structural and clinical studies show that these carotenoids are concentrated in the retinal macular pigment.(1) Harvard researchers report that people with the highest intake of lutein and zeaxanthin (5.8 mg. per day) have a 57% decreased risk of macular degeneration compared with people eating the least. These carotenoids concentrate in the part of the retina where macular degeneration strikes. Once there, they protect the retina from damaging blue light rays from the sun.(3) The density of the macular pigment is related to preservation of visual sensitivity and possibly protection from ARMD.(1) In a one year study, two human subjects were given a 30 mg. supplement of lutein esters daily for 140 days. The density of their macular pigment began increasing after 20 days. The average increases in macular density were 39% and 21%, which decreased blue light reaching the photoreceptors by an estimated 30% to 40%.(6) In a similar study of five subjects, macular density increased in both eyes of three subjects, in one eye of the fourth subject, and there was no change in the fifth subject.(7) Lutein is the predominant carotenoid throughout the retina and zeaxanthin is concentrated in the center of the macula. Some lutein appears to be converted by the body to zeaxanthin.(5) Lutein and Cataract Prevention Dietary antioxidants, including carotenoids, are hypothesized to decrease the risk of age-related cataracts by preventing oxidation of proteins or lipids within the lens. An 8-year study of more than 36,000 male health professionals between the ages of 45 and 75 showed a moderate decrease (19%) in the risk of cataracts severe enough to require extraction in those with the highest intake of foods containing lutein and zeaxanthin as opposed to the lowest intake of those carotenoids. There was no such association with vitamin A or other carotenoids.(4) Lutein and zeaxanthin are the only carotenoids present in the human lens.(5) Lutein and Heart Health Lutein functions as a powerful antioxidant when incorporated into the LDL(9,10) and HDL forms of cholesterol. Dietary antioxidants are believed to keep blood vessels healthy by inhibiting oxidation of lipids. Researchers compared blood levels of antioxidant carotenoids and vitamins among residence of Toulouse, France, where the incidence of heart disease is very low and Belfast, Northern Ireland, where the incidence of heart disease is among the highest in the world. Blood levels of lutein and beta-crytoxanthin were twice as high in Toulouse.(9) Comparing lutein to Trolox, a synthetic analog of vitamin E, researchers found that lutein scavenged free radicals more slowly; however, lutein was able to inhibit free radical oxidation of fats at lower concentrations for a longer period.(11) Lutein and Immune Function In an epidemiological in the South Pacific, higher consumption of lutein-containing foods in Fiji was associated with better lung health and function.(11) Lutein has also been shown to improve immune function in animal studies. In mice fed diets containing lutein esters, lutein increased lymphocyte proliferation and helped maintain normal immune function.(13) In another study, lutein enhanced the animals’ ability to maintain healthy breast tissue after inoculation with mammary tumor cells.(14) In a large prospective study to evaluate long-term intakes of antioxidant vitamins and carotenoids, higher intake of lutein and other carotenoids (as well as vitamins A and C) was strongly associated with reduced risk of breast cancer, particularly among pre-menopausal women with a family history of breast cancer and among those who consumed 15 g or more of alcohol daily.(15) As an antioxidant, lutein also protects cells from "oxidative" stress. Human liver cells exposed to several conditions of potential injury due to oxidative stress were protected from damage in the presence of lutein and/or beta carotene.(16) Need for Lutein Supplementation Humans do not synthesize lutein or other carotenoids and must depend entirely on dietary sources. Lutein is most abundant in dark green vegetables including spinach, kale and collard greens and in marigold flowers. Research indicates that approximately 6 mg. of lutein daily is required to reduce the risk of macular degeneration. Sufficient lutein can be obtained from a proper diet, but considering that this requires close attention to the lutein content of specific foods not always eaten on a daily basis, many people may not get the required amount from diet alone. Often people in the over 75 high risk group live in senior housing complexes where meals are supplied and the option to select a lutein rich diet is not available. Lutein supplements would probably be advisable for most people. Kordial Nutrients Lutein capsules each contain 6 mg. of lutein from marigold extract. WARNING: This publication and the product contained herein have not been approved or evaluated by the Federal Drug Administration. This publication, and the product contained herein are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. The product relates to nutritional support only. LUTEIN Price: $12.00 REFERENCES 1. Pratt S, "Dietary prevention of age-related macular degeneration", J Am Optom Assoc, Jan 1999, 70:1, 39-47. 2. Gerster H, "The potential role of lycopene for human health", J Amer Col Nutr, 1997, Vol. 16, No. 2, 109-26. 3. Seddon JM, Ajani UA, Sperduto RD, et al., "Dietary carotenoids, vitamins A,C, and E, and advanced age-related macular degeneration", JAMA, 1994;272:1413-20. 4. Brown L, Rimm EB, Seddon JM, Giovannucci EL, Chasan TL, Spiegelman D, Willett WC, Hankinson SE, "A prospective study of carotenoid intake and risk of cataract extraction in US men, Am J Clin Nutr, Oct, 1999, 70:4, 517-24. 5. Yeum KJ, Shang FM, Schalch WM, Russell RM, Taylor A, "Fat-soluble nutrient concentrations in different layers of human cataractous lens", Curr Eye Res, Dec, 1999, 19:6, 502-5. 6. Bone RA, Landrum JT, Friedes LM, Gomez CM, Kilburn MD, Menendez E, et al., "Distribution of lutein and zeaxanthin stereoisomers in the human retina", Experimental Eye Research, 1997;64:211-218. 7. Landrum JT, Bone RA, Joa H, Kilbourn MD, Moore L, Sprague KE, "A one-year study of the macular pigment: the effect of 140 days of a lutein supplement", Experimental Eye Research, 1997;65:57-62 8. Landrum JT, Bone RA, Moore L, Sprague KE, "A one-year study of the effect of supplementation with lutein on the macular pigment", The FASEB Fournal, 1997;11:2588 Abstract. 9. Howard AN, Williams NR, Palmer CR, Cambou JP, Evans AE, Foote JW, et al., "Do hydroxy carotenoids prevent coronary heart disease? A comparison between Belfast and Toulouse", International Journal of Vitamin and Nutrition Research, 1996;66:113-8. 10. Chopra M, Thurnham DI, "Effect of lutein on oxidation of low-density liporoteins (LDL in vitro", Proceedings of the Nutrition Society, 1994;53:1993, #18A. 11. Chopra M, Wilson RL, Thurnham DI, "Free radical scavenging of lutein in vitro", Annals fo the New York Academy of Sciences, 1993;691:246-249. 12. Marchard LL, Hankin JH, Bach F, Kolonel LN, Wilkens LR, Stacewicz M, et al., "an ecological study of diet and lung cancer in the South Pacific", International Journal of Cancer, 1995;63:18-23. 13. Chew BP, Wong MW, Wong TS, "Effects of lutein from marigold extract on immunity and growth of mammary tumors in mice", Anticancer Research, 1996;16:3689-94. 14. Parks JS, Chew BP, Wong TS, "Effect of dietary lutein on growth of mammary tumor in BALB/c mice", The FASEB Journal, 1997;11:2586. 15. Zhang s, Hunter DJ, Forman MR, Rosner BA, Speizer FE, Colditz GA, Manson JE, Hankinson SE, Willett WC, "Dietary carotenoids and Vitamins A, C, and E and risk of breast cancer", J Natl Cancer Inst, 1999 March, 91:6,547-56. 16. Martin KR, Failla ML, Smith JC Jr., "Beta-carotene and lutein protect the plasma membrane of HPG2 human liver cells against oxidant-induced damage", US Dept of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, March 21, 1996. Copyright 2004 Alternative Medicine Shop, LLC. |
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